St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1905-09-06
Launching The Vermont.

Fore River Shipbuildiug Company at
Quincy, Mass, for having built and
launched one of the largest battleships
built for the United States Navy. 1t was
proud day for Vermonters, as evidenced
by the large delegations present to wit.
ness the christening of "The Vermont"
by Miss Jennie Bell, daughter of Gov.
Charles !. Bell Of Vermont, and also
the successful launching. The heavy
down-pour of rain in the early morning
threatened to mar the pleasure of the
day, but before 9 a. M, there were only
occasional showers, or Eight MIST"
which did not prevent New England
people and even women with babes in
their arms. from focking to the ship
yards to see "The Vermont" The invit.
ed guests arrived from Boston on a train
of six coaches at 10 a. M, being switched
off at East Braintee on to the private
track of the company, running directly
to the ship in the yard. Rear Admiral
Bowles, president of the company, was
ready to receive and escort them to the
grand stand, about 40 feet high, erected
at the rear of the ship, which was gay
with flags and bunting and yourecogniz-
ed the Vermont state flags. and the
naval jack, while Vulnerable small flags,
suspended the whole way round the top
of the ship, futtered continually with the
breeze, giving a festive air; while the
bright flame color of the mammoth
structure intensified its size, stretching
out $50 feet, and towering above the
main stand nearly 40 feet; and the small
tugs and boats near by were dwarfed in.
to small specks in comparison; $50 men
had been closely at work since 7 a. M,
upon the wedges, to lift the vessel and
then to split the keel blocks, until they
reached the upper part, so as to have her
ready for the hour, at 1890 a. M, when
there would be strong tide to float her
round in the harbor. The path of the
ship had been we'll oiled with 1858
pounds of lard, soap and grease, so she
would glide down easily the inclined
plane to the water, while great hawsers
of hemp, said to be 5000 feet in all,
fastened to chains, held her firm in place
until the appointed hour.
The members of the Vermont Veterans
Association, about $50, and the Daugh-
tiers of Vermont, occupied a stand and
formed conspicuous part of the COM
pany on the port side. Amongst the
prominent guests on the main stand were
Governor Bell and staff from Vermont,
Governor Douglas and staff from Mass
achusetts and Hon. Charles H. Darling,
assistant secretary of the navy.
While waiting it was interesting to
listen to the various comments of people.
A gentleman pointed out thel lady holding
an umbrella over her daughter as the
wife of Governor Bell, and the young
lady dressed in white was Miss Bell, who
was to break the bottle. "Yes, yes"
chimed the other, II call her very good
looking woman" A Randolph lady
volunteered this information, "The other
two young ladies in white are Miss Bells
maids of honor; Miss Mary E. Morse OF
Randolph and Miss Virginia E. Perry of
McIndoes Falls" A third inquired if it
was true that the vessel would be chris
tened with Vermont maple sugar as re-
ported. mo, genuine champagne, as
they usually have at such times" replied
another. Vermont has no sea coast"
remarked man, "but the Vermonters
will have to become good sailors today"
Never mind, they are temperance people
and like water" said another. The
hull OF the vessel was laid in May, 1904,
and the work on her has been rapidly
completed. She is nearly two.thirds
finished; her displacement about 16 900
tons; her hull is steel throughout, pro.
tected by belt of armor nine feet and
three inches wide at the water line, about
1 inches thick. 1t is said the vessel is
designed for flagship, and quarters are
arranged for 761 men, go marines besides
all of the officers. lone more block cut
and she is tree" called one; "Now," said
his companion, Miss Bell, do not get
nervous, aud tail to break that bottle. for
sailors are superstitious, you know"
YES" said another, do you remem.
Der one young lady in christening one of
the other vessels, grew so nervous that
the bottle dropped from her hand and
fell into the water"
At the signal, the bottle crashed against
the bow and its contents ran down the
side; there was a tremendous crashing
aud rending OF the cordage as she tore
down the. pathway and II Christen thee
Vermont was sung out by Miss Bell;
the band from Charlestown PLAYED, tug.
boats whistled, people cheered and waved
handerchieis, and there was a grand
stampede down the dock to see her sail
magni6cently into the water. and turn