Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-09-01
Launched at Fore River
Yard, Quincy, Mass.
The Big Batt|eship Chrisiened
by Miss Jennie c. Bell,
Daughter Of Gov. Bell Of Vermont, Before
Vast Throng Of Spectators.

| quincy, Mass, Aug. 3l.-The United
States battleship Vermont, was
launched at the yard of the Fore Riv-
er Shipbuilding Co., today. The great
steel ship was released from the stocks
and she slowly and smoothly glided
| down the ways without mishap,
Thousands cheered and waved their
hats. as the hull rushed into the water
among those who witnessed the spec.
tacle being many citizens of Vermont.
Miss Jennie c. Bell, daughter of
Gov. Chas. ]. Bell of Vermont, and the
| spoIsOr of the vessel, prettily dressed
in white, was the central figure on the
launching platform. Beside her were
| the maids of honor, Miss Marie E.
Moore of Randolph. VT. and Miss Vir-
| ginia f. Perry of McIndoes, VT, Miss
| Moore being a close friend and Miss
| Perry a cousin of Miss Bell
| The three girls We're surrounded by
Il brilliant party of guests, including
Gov. Bell and Mrs. Bell. the governors
official staff and their wives; Gov. VIM.
l.. Douglas and Mrs. Douglas, and
| many representative citizens of Massa-
chusetts; Mayor Thompson of this city
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Chas
II. Darling; Commander A. Boutakoff
Russian naval attache at Washington;
several New England congressman; W.
s. Lark and w. L. Balsinger of the
| Carnegie Steel Co.. President Grove Of
the William Cramp & Sons Shipbuild-
ing Co.. and newspaper men.
Owing to the great demand for tick
cts, at the last moment the yard was
opened to the general public Before
| that 1t was open to all VermOnters
and many who claimed Vermont as
their native state were present to wit
ness the launching. The Vermont Vet
| eran Association of Massachusetts,, 15C
| strong, together with the Vermont AS
| ISOLATION of Massachusetts and the
Massachusetts Daughters of Vermont
occupied special reviewing stand near
the bow of the battleship.
| When the new man-of-war was re-
| leased. Miss Bell drew back a bottle of
| American wine. suspended 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, as Miss Bell exclaimed: 81
christen thee, Vermont
| Then came loud hurrahs, a bedlam
of salutes from assembled steam craft.
| and music by the Marine Band Of the
| Charlestown navy yard while the mon
| strous hull. after it's first plunge, grad
| ually came to rest.
There was no speaking from the
launching platform, but after the
cheering and music, the happy party
| adjourned to the Mould loft near by
| and were entertained at a luncheon by
| the Fore River Co. Here some informal
speeches were made. The party then
took special train to Boston.
At the luncheon Rear Admiral Bowles,
president of the shipbuildng company
| introduced Gov. Douglas to the 500 per-
some present. Gov. Douglas grasped the
| had of Gov Bell and said:
II welcome you to Massachusetts"
Rear Admiral Bowles then introduced
Gov Bell who spoke briefly.
After Gov. Bells address Rear Ad-
| miral Bowles threw the assembly into
a most enthusiastic demonstration by
proposing a toast to President Roose-
welt.
He said: Il give to you the health
| of soldier. peacemaker, statesman and
| brave honest gentleman. Theodore
| Roosevelt of the United States"
Everyone present rose Immediately and
cheers filled the loft Assistant Secre-
! tary Darling then responded to the toast
and in referring to the President spoke
of his part in the battle 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 Rus
STA. our long time friend and Japan.
| our foster cfild.-the Yankee of the
East-he has added great glory to him.
self
The contract for the Vermont was
signed. June, 1908. At its launching. to-
day. the vessel was about two-thirds
complete. 1t is to be ready for commits
sion. Dec. 20. 1906. When completed, the
new battleship will have cost the Unit
ed States navy about $7.000.OO0.
AT the last session of the Vermont
Legislature the sum of $4,000 was ap-
| propriated for the purchase of a silver
service. which will be presented to the
new battleship when she is ready for
commission.
me Vermont is sister ship to the
oatlleship Kansas which was launched
al Philadelphia, Aug. IL. At the launch
ing of the latter vessel, Gov. Hoch of
Kansas. secretly introduced the use of
water in the christening of the craft.
A movement of public sentiment in
vermont had urged Gov Bell to use
| maple syrup. milk or water in today's
ceremonies. Gov. Bell, when asked. to-
| day. concerning his position in the
matter, said that he had been invited
to attend launching arranged bv tho
Shiphuilding Co, and he had NOT com
sidered it his duty or privilege to die
tate what liquid should have been ,,sad
in the baptism of the vessel. 0'e"
The battieship Vermont is one Of tho
largest and most powerful NJ ~ y. .ne