Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-04-28
LAUNCHING Of
THE CALIFORNIA
Blk Cruiser Glides Amid Ap-
plause Into Waters OF
Pacific
clun,c nIME NclnNc
SHIPS DIMENSIONS
Christcned by Young Daughter
Ex-Governor or State

SAN FRANCISCO, Gal9 Apt, 90.
Not since the launching NJ the battle
ship Ohio, which was attended BY
President Mckinley and other dis
tinguished sons Of the Buckeye state,
has the shlpyards Of the Union Iron
works e such a gala event as to-
day, when the magnificent armorei
cruiser California was welded 20 the
waters. The christening and launch
ing OF the leyiathan OF the deep was
accomplished in the presence Of a
crowd OF thousands Of spectators made
lip largely of members of the society
known ais Native Sons OF the Golden
West, who were practically in charge
or the days ceremonies.
On the christening stand Gov
arnor Pardee and other distinguished
officials of the state of California and
or the leading cities OF the common.
wealth. AS the new warship swept
down the ways the assembled multi.
tnde wildly cheered the a chompion
The christening ceremony was per
formed by Miss Florence May Pardee,
daughter Of the governor.
The interesting ceremony took place
shortly before II o'clock. With the
first movement Of the big hull Miss
Pardee lifted the h%eribboned cham
payne bottle above her head and sent
Il with q resonnding crash against the
unyielding wall OF steel, at the same
time saying. in clear tones heard by
all on the speakers stand:
n christen thee California
AS the cruiser took her maiden
plunge In her native element she was
greeted by q welcoming blast from
i large feet Of war vessels from Mare
Island, excursion steamers, tug boats
and other craft Of many descriptions,
The cruiser California Is similar In
type and dimensions TO the Pennsyl
vania recently launched at Cramps, the
Maryland recently launched al New
port News. the West Virginia. also
recently launched. and the South Da'
kota and Colorado now building.
When completed the California will
have q total displacement OF nearly
1900 tons, The type Of the California
derives pre-eminence from two quail.
ties-specd and concentration OF IRE.
Her wonderful engines. driving twin
screws. will develop a horsepower OF
2, 900, capable Of propelling the ship
ut d speed of twentyihreo knots IN
hour perhaps even faster. This
speed al once Will take her outside the
reach Of pursuing batleships, while her
powerful battery will make of her a
dangerous antagonist both In engage
ments with vessels * her own class
and those carrying heavier ordnance,
The main battery OF tho California
Is to consist Of four eightinch rifles,
mounted in pairs in t%urrets, fore AMI
aft. These guns are to be Of the lat
est type. and will approximate 40
closely TO the rapid firing design as
al be reached In guns of that cali.
bre. There are in addition fourteen
six.inch guns OF the rapid fire design,
whose broadside f%irc-seyen guns on d
side-concentrated on an enemy
would prove irresistible.
Her secondary battery consists Of
eighteen threeinch rapid fire guns
twelve three FOUNDERS. eight one
FOUNDERS, two three-inch rapid Hrt
field guns. two machine guns ana 81,
automatic guns-ln all a most lormid
able array Of both heavy and light
ordnance.
Recent tests made 70 prove Oh,
strength " afmor such All Will protec
the california's sides, show that pro
j%ectiles fired with a celocity Of 1856
feet per second broke against I'll,
fourinch plate like eggs. So that will
her great speed ana her splendid la,
terry the California viii also 81 tx
tected BY an armor belt. making he
a lighting machine Of great defensiy
strength as well as Of offensive pow
ers. The contract price Of the Cal
fornia Il sa.sOoOoo. Her eonstruc
ors, The Union Iron works. we're III
builders also Of The famous orego
and other Of the finest fighting IN,
chimes Of the United States navy.
-o