The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-28
PLOT TO WRECK BATTLESHIP.
OBSTRUCTION FOUND AT FOOT
or THE CONNECTICUT'S WAYS.
Placed There Evidently to Tear Out Her
Bottom as She Slides Into the Water
Navy 0fncisls Decline TO Give
Details-TAe Plans for the Launching.

Details-The Plans for the Launching.
Some one, either anarchist or disgruntled
workman. made an attempt last week to in
sure the wrecking of the new United States
battleship Connecticut at her launching to-
morrow morning. An obstruction was
planted in the ways under water, with the
intention Of ripping out her bottom and
furnishing the most largely attended ship
wreck in history.
What the obstruction was has not been
told, but, in the language Of an expert
shipbuilder at the navy yard, "the same
thing would have happened to her that
happens to an express train when 1t hits
rock at full speed" Report has it that
the obstruction was set OF stout spikes,
driven firmly into the ways.
Whoever planted the obstruction reckoned
without the official inspection which Is
always made Of the ways before a warship
is launched. This is an argument Tor the
anarchist theory. A workman about the
navy yard would probably have known
better
Divers were put to work last week greas-
ing the ways and looking for the smallest
flaw that might turn the course OF the
Connecticut when, with the speed OF an
express train, she hits the lower ways and
glides out into the water. just below the
low water line they found the obstruction,
whose nature is kept a secret by the navy
yard people. The divers reported the
matter at once, and the navy yard officials
inspected the obstruction.
at wasn't an explosive" said man
about the yard, sbut 1t would have done
the business fer the Connecticut. In the
first place, il would have ripped out her
bottom. Then she would probably have
left the ways and smashed into things.
1t is plain that the obstruction could not
have been placed there by accident. 1t
was there by design
There has been guard OF marines watch
ing the big battleship ever since she neared
completion. At once the guard was in
creased and electric lights were strung
about the vessel. corps OF private watch
men was stationed all about the hull. They
were armed with revolvers and ordered to
shoot any one found approaching at night.
Rooms we're stretched across all the water
approaches.
Divers have gone down and inspected
things every day since Saturday. To be
doubly sure, they will make final inspec-
ton just before the launching tomorrow.
Preparations for the launching went
forward merrily yesterday. The last plate
was being -iveted on the after turret. The
big crane, which looks like an overgrown
elevated railway structure. was running
back and forth. dropping painters and
barrels Of paint, 30 that the Connecticut
will shine all over when launched III the light
red OF a United States vessel under con-
struction. The stands are up ard the work
Of decoration will begin to-day. Lines Of
flags will be stretched from the stump Of
a fighting top which the Connecticut now
carries, and the stands will be draped in
the na!ov. ii coiors.
This afternoon Miss Welles assisted by
the naval constrv ctors, will hold dress re-
hearsal Of the ceremony no that there nny
be no slip. The navy yard was filing
Yesterday with marines from the various
vessels in port Every naval band on these
vessels win be there to toot the national
anthem in unison when the battleship makes
her start.
The admission committee Ia working
overtime on invitations and admissions.
Practically every one asking for admission
to the yard has received card, but ad-
mission to the stands il, of course, limited,
and hundreds OF applications have neces-
sarily been turned down.
Admiral Rodgerss aides say that there
is no truth in a story that the Governors
STAFF Of Connecticut was sighted In the in
vitations. The Governor was asked for q
list Of persons he wanted invited, and in
vitations were sent to all persons on his
list. II he didn't include his staff, say the
navy yard authorities, 1t Ia up to him.
At the luncheon about lao invited guests
are to occupy the upper floor with the Sec
rotary OF the Navy. About the same num-
Der will have seats on the lower floor
Among the perrons invited to the Secre-
tary's table are:
Grover Cleveland. Alton B. Parker. the
Welles party. Mayor Mcclellan. Senator
o. n. Plat, Gov. Abram Chamberlain OF Con-
necticut, Gov. Warfeld OF Maryland, Gov
Murphy Of New Jersey. Mr.. and Mrs. Perry
Belmont. Admiral Erben. Rear Admiral
p. j. Cooper. Lieut.. -Gen. Adna r. Chaifee.
Rear Admiral j. B. Coughlan. Major-Gen.
Corbin, Rear Admiral Wise, Rear Admiral
Strong, Rear Admiral c, H. Davis. Rear
Admiral Lsmberton, Miss Helen Miller Gould
the Duke of Newcastle. Levin Nixon, Surgeon
General p. NJ. Rixey. Mrs. Russell SsRe and
Rear Admiral Rivet and stat OF the FIR ench
cruiser Duplex.
The officers Of the Duplex made their
official visit to Admiral Rodgers yester-
day.