The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-08-31
Big Battleship Launched at
Quincy Today.
BEFORE A LARGE CROWD
Miss Jennie Bell. Daughter Of vermOnt's
Governor, christened the Vessel
with Bottle Of Cham
pagne

Quincy, Mass, August 31.-Ihe big
battleship Vermont was successfully
launched at the Fore River Ship building
company's yard here at 1853 this morn
ing. She was christened BY Miss Jennie
Bell, younger daughter Of Governor Bell
Of Vermont, who broke a bottle Of
champagne over the vessels bow al the
warslip slipped down the ways, saying
Il christen thee Vermont"
It was a fete day at Quincy, as all
such occasions are, and when the gates
of the big yard were thrown open to
the public an immense crowd snrged
in to witness the baptism Of the latest
addition to the nations fleet. Long
before the time appointed for the launch
ing the visitors crowded the yards, the
adjoining housetops, and the shore line.
Even after the christening had taken
place they were loath To depart, many
remaining for hours to watch the giant
hull as it floated at anchor in the placid
waters. Grouped along the waters edge
and dotting the river for mile around
were craft of every description, from
tiny naptha launches to large steam
boats.
On the christening stand was dis
tinguished party, the conspicuous figures
OF which were Governor Bell Of Vermont
and his staff, Governor Douglas Of Mas
sachusetts and eminent representatives
from the Charlestown navy yard and
the navy department. at Washington.
/ There was also a large delegation from
| Vermont, in recognition of the honor
| accorded their state The ship building
company and the municipal government
were represented by prominent parties.
| Promptly at the hour set the last
shores were knocked from the ways and
/ the colossal vessel began her brief journ-
ey Swinging aloft the wine bottle,
which was wrapped i'll the Stars and
j Stripes, Miss Bel crashed it against
the steel bow and spoke the christening
words in firm tones that were heard by
all about her. Then. as the marine
monster glided gracefully down the
/ creased cradle, the enthusiasm found
vent The crowds in the yard roared
and screamed, the party on the ehristen-
ing stand waved hats and cheered, and
ear splitting whistles oh shore and water
were let loose.
Meanwhile the Vermont had taken her
maiden dip in the stream, where her an
chors were dropped, ana she came to
d halt Another Of the monster flag
defenders had been successfully launch
ed.
Description Of the Vermont
The Vermont Is regarded by naval ex-
perts as q marvel IN the art of marine
! architecture. She is sister ship Of
the Kansas, launched q few weeks ago
at Camden. Her general dimensions are
as follows.
Length on load water line 450 feet,
| length over all $50 feet ( inches, extreme
beam to moulding 76 feet 81 inches,
to outside of plating 70 feet 5 inches,
extreme beam to outside OF armor rs
feet 10 inches. Her trial displacement
viii be 10000 tons, and when she goes
on her speed test she will carry 900
tons Of coal, although her bunker eapac-
ity is 2,200 tons Sixsy six tons Of feed
i water will also be carried on her trial
trip, Her trial draft TO bottom Of keel
viii be "a feet 6 inches.
Her contract calls fol maintenance
OF Is knots speed for four consecutive
hours The bull II Of steel throughout
and Is fitted with bilge and docking
keels.
II Her armament will be- Main battery
f four 12-inch eight s.ineh, twelve 7-incl
| breech loading rifles; secondary battery
{ twenty 3-ineh Cor 14-pounder) rapid fri
] gums; twelve 3-pounder emiautomati'
/ guns, six lpounder automatics, two !
e FOUNDER semi-automaties, two 3inel
} field pieces, two machine guns OF .3(
\ ealber and six automatic guns 81 .St
! eaIiber.
3 For her protection the Vermont vii
!. have complete main belt of armor
! feet 8 inches wide at the water line
( having uniform thickness OF inche
+ throughout the magazine and machiner,
4 spaces, tapering to 4 inches at the ends
. Seven inch easemhte armor will protee
+ her between the main belt and the mail
4 deck. This armor will extend To th
limits Of the magazine at both ends.
III Her propelhlg power will consist 0
> engines Of the twin screw, four yertiea
cylinder, triple expansion type Of com
bined horse power OF 16,500 The shi
will be provided with All ice plant wit
cooling capacity or three tons 81 ic
daily, an evaporating plant Of 1850
E gallons capacity, and a distilling appa
ratus capable Of condensing 10000 gal
Ions Of water day. She will be equip
le ped with powerful searchlight, and he
lg masts viii be arranged for wireless tel
lg egraphy.
Il Designed for flagship. aecommoda
m tions will be provided for a flag olficel
s, i commanding officer and q complement
1t Of some s25 officers and men, ineludin
marines.