New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-01
VERMONT is LAUNCHED.
Nezc Battleship One of Most Pozcer-
fuI an american NaUu.

Quincy. Mass. Aug. 31.-The battleship Yer
mont built for the United States government,
launched at the yard Of the Fore River
shipbuilding Company to-day. She was re-
leased from the stocks without mishap and
slowly and smoothly glided down the ways.
Thousands cheered as the hull rushed into the
water.
The guests Of honor included Governor
Charles j. Bell, of Vermont; Governor w. l.
Douglas. of Massachusetts, and Assistant Sec
rotary of the Navy Charles II. Darling. They
occupied a platform in the bow Of the big
vessel. Miss Jennie c. Bell, daughter of Gov
ernor Bell and the sponsor Of the vessel, was
the central figure the platform. Beside her
were the maids of honor, Miss Mary E. Moore.
OF Randolph. Vt. and Miss Virginia E Perry,
OF McIndoes, VT The Vermont Veteran As
ISOLATION Of Massachusetts,, with the Vermont
Association Of Massachusetts and the Massa-
chusetts Daughters Of Vermont occupied a
special reviewing stand near the bow of the
battleship.
The shipbuilding company had opened the
gates of the yard to the general public, and
thousands the launching from the prem
ises
When the new man-of-war released, Miss
Bell drew back bottle of American wine
pended from the platform by ribbons, and as
the huge craft dipped stern foremost into the
high tide she swung the pendulum hard
against the armored bow. The bottle struck
squarely and broke upon the ship, Miss
Bell exclaimed, Il christen thee Vermont
The battleship is one Of the largest and most
powerful of the ships Of war that have been
constructed for the United States navy. She is
Of 10000 tons burden, with a length Of 400 feet
and extreme breadth of rs feet 10 inches She
will be required to steam eighteen knots an hour
for four consecutive hours.
The main battery of the Vermont will consist
of four 12-inch breechloading rifles two mounted
forward and two aft; eight S-inch breechloading
rifles, and twelve finch breechloadlng rifles
In the secondary battery will be twenty 3-inch
14-pounder rapid fire guns, twelve 3-pounder
ana semi automatic guns, Six 1-pounder auto
matte guns two 1-pounder semi-automato guns
two 3-inch field pieces. two machine guns and
six automatic guns
Bowles, president of the shipbuilding company
introduced Governor Douglas and Governor Bel
to the five hundred persons present Governor
Bell spoke briefly.
Rear Admiral Bowles then proposed toast
to President Roosevelt. The toast was: Il give
you the health of soldier, peacemaker, states
man and brave and honest gentleman-Theo-
dore Roosevelt President of the United States
An enthusiastic demonstration followed. Every
one present arose and cheered.
Assistant Secretary Darling, In response
spoke of the Presidents part in the victory OF
San Juan and his courage In making the recent
trip on the submarine boat Plunger. Then he
said: But greatest Of all, he is an envoy OF
peace. In uniting Russia, our longtime friend
and Japan, our foster child-the Yankee OF the
East-he has added great glory to himself"
The contract for the Vermont was signed tr
June, 1903. At her launching to-day the vesse
about two-thirds finished. She Is to be
ready for commission December 20, 1905. When
completed the new battleship will have cost the
United States $7,000000.
The hull of the battleship is of steel through
out. 1t is protected at the water-line by q COM
plete belt of armor 8 feet inches wide. hav-
ing maximum thickness of II inches fol
about 200 feet amidShipS Forward and aft OF
this the maximum thickness is inches within
the limit Of magazines. from which points the
thickness is gradually decreased to inches a,
the stem and stern.
The engines are of the vertical twin screw
four cylinder, triple expansion type. of a COM
bined horse power Of 1880 There are twelve
boilers placed in six water tight compartments
There are three tunnels each 100 feet high above
the base line