Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-03-29
THE PEARY SHIP.
A SUCCESSFUL LAUNCHING AT
BUCKsPoRT THURSDAY.
NAMED THE RoosEvELT--CHRIsTE
BY MRS. PEARY-A GREAT CROWD
PREsENT-TowED TO PORTLAND.


The hull of the Pesry Arctic clubs ship
was successfully launched at Bucksport
last Thursday, March q, from the ship
yard of Mckay & Dix on Verona island.
As she left the ways she was christened
the Roosevelt by Commander Peary's wife.
The launching was witnessed by the
largest crowd thst ever assembled at
Bueksport, estimated st anywhere from
5000 to 5000 people. No such crowd was
anticipated, and hotels, clearinghouse
snd groceries together were unable to
meet the demands for food.
Upon platform built at the bow about
ten feet above the ground the christening
party was seated Mrs. Pesry, in trim
blue suit, her almost priceless blue fox
fairs and picture hat; Commander Peary
apparently less concerned than many OF
the spectators; Robert Peary, ir., seven
teen months old, Miss Marie Peary, eleven
years old. and her particular friends and
guests, Miss Margaret Snow and Miss
Florence Homer; Capt and Mrs. Chas. B.
Dix; Capt. Bartlett, the old Aertie skipper
snd his daughter, Miss Edith, and Mrs.
Mary Evans. of Portland, an aunt of Com
Hz&nder Peary.
The christening was unique, novel
idea originated and carried out by Capt.
Dix, who reasoned that as the craft was
essentially an ice breaker it would be
fitting and proper for her to break ice on
. the very start. Then there was the hap
tism of chsmpagne-ths couldn't be lost
sight Of, so he eleverIy combined the two.
A huge block of ice wss seooped out,
and the bottle of champagne placed in
side. This block was suspended in front
of the bow on level with the platform
rail in such s way that at the proper time
il could be sent crashing against the bow
and ii was.
SHE'S OFF.
The ship left the ways at 1885 p. m, an
hour after the time set for the launching.
She took the water gracefully, went across
the channel and brought up in the mud on
the Bueksport shore, whence she was
easily extrieated by the tug Portland snd
flowed TO Nieholson's wharf where she was
made fast. and hundreds OF people
swaruaed on board to say that they had
ence set foot on the vessel that discovered
the north pole, etc
As soon as she Was clear of the ways,
from the house staff was raised on her
deck, and great Psnnsnt fiuttered
moment snd broke ont with Roosevelt
IN hlue letters on a white ground.
The great cheer which burst spontsn-
- II,
w9s hushe6 for moment and then burst
forth again still greater and long con-
tinued, IS one grand stand" after another
caught the name on the flag, now nat
tened in the stiff breeze, and It's signifi-
canoe
1t was weu-kept secret Not & half &
dozen people knew what the craft was TO
be named until they read 1t on the pen
nant-
About twenty persons launched on the
Roosevelt, all but three being workuleu.
Elliott n. Benson of Bar Harbor, Capt,
Sawyer, of Milbridge, Capt. John ".
Kane, of BluehiIl, Capt. IittlefeId, Of the
q. s. training ship st. Mary's, and Capt
Cobb, of Bath, all close friends OF Capt
Dix, enjoyed the sensation.
After it was all over Commander Peary
and party of invited guests went to the
Robinson house for dinner.
COM. PEARYis STATEMENT.
The following statement was given TO
the public immediately after the launch
ing:
The ship launched to-day Is the frs1 ship ever
constructed on this hemisphere for polar work
Ii Is believed that she viii be the anless ever
built anywhere for this purpose
few words In regard 10 her seem appro-
p.iale at this time. The IDEAS embodied In rhis
ship are the result of 8 careful study Of tie Va
rios.s classes Of ships which have been used in
Ice navigation. and OF those ships which have
been specially bulk py other countries for the
purposes of Arctic and Antartic exploration,
eSmnined with personal experience of nearly
twenty years IN that portion of the Arctic re
gions which viii form the Geld Of action OF the
coming expedition
These general ideas were pat into form by
william Z. winanL naval srchlreez Of ihe
bureau OF construction and repair OF The Raxy
department. under my personal supervision.
Upon the plans thus prepared. have OBJ
fzinesi as wide expert opinion. both theoretical
and practical, as l WA able
Finally, Capt. Dix. with his long experience
as practical seaman himself, and large owner
OF ships engaged in the Greenland trade. has
clothed the unusual stresgth and solidity Of tie
snip In the Hnes which yon have seen to-day,
and II Is only proper 70 say thai lhs graceful
lines and. as we all believe, hne model whlch
enclose and mask the massiveness Of This new
Arctic ship. are due entirely TO Capt Charles
b DIX.
Capt DIX hiss felt as deep and personal an il.
ferest In this ship IS my self. and regardless of
cost or trouble has pat into her the best mate
rial ob,aiDable-
In carrying out Capt. Dix's IDEAS and ny
swn, Capt HonghEon, his assistant. and ny.
Sewcombe. bis master builder, have devoted tie
utmost OF their energies AMI abilities, and have
supplemented the ars4-eiass material which
Capt. Dix has furnished. with lrst.elAss vork.
EAnshIp-
WELL Built.