Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-10-20
LAUNCHED.
The New Mail Tug. "Dr. W. J.
Newbill." GIided of With Inter.
eStine Ceremonies.

NeWDiils ulIued OIL Win Inter-
estinS Ceremonies.
Nearly two thousand people assembled
on the banks of Urbanna creek last Sat
urday TO witness the launching of the
"Dr. W. j. Newbill." that is, in time. to
take the place OF the "Owen billiard"
which for nearly ten years has done such
taithfr' service on the Rappahannoek
river.
1t was necessary to build railway
temporarily to launch the mail steamer.
which is SO feet long, Is feet beam and
10 feet depth at the bow. W. f. Ward
had brought in from the country eight
large trees, 40 feet long, and hewed on
two sides, which he blocked up securely
with heavy timbers. Upon the hewed
trees he built cradle with large sub
stantial arms projecting up under her
waist. The runway was thoroughly
saturated with old tallow, and had a
little more precaution been used in the
connection OF ways the launching would
have been perfect. AS it was, the boat
glided nicely down, started by the launch
Sentinel" until her stern struck the
water, when some OF the cradle planking
became detached. Here she hung until
captain Long, of the steamer Potomac.
which boat was lying near and loaded
with passengers, threw a hawser ont
and with the first tug pulled the new
ship clean and clear into the waters of
the creek.
INTERESTING PROGRAM.
At high noon Builder Ward announced
everything in readiness. The deck was
soon cleared of small boys, and those con-
Quoting the ceremonies boarded the new
craft. The sponsor was Miss Ethel New
bill, daughter of Chas. b. NewbiIl, ESQUIRE.
oil Essex. Miss Inez Upton, of Urbanna,
was maid of honor. The ladies were at
tended by DIR. W. ]. Newbill, of Irving
ton, after whom the new boat was
named, and W. Med. Lee, master of GER
emonies. After the ladies had taken their
positions on the bow of the boat, Mr..
Lee gave a short history of the mail
route and then introduced Colonel John
X. Saunders as the orator OF the occas-
ion. Colonel Saunders made an eloquent
and instructive address and he was
roundly applauded. Hisvoice reached the
outer edge of the crowd assembled below
and was even heard aboard the steamer
Potomac. Hecomplimentedth the pluck and
energy ofCaptain Dayton, the owner, and
paid in glowing language the gratitude
OF the people of the Southside and the
Northern Neck for his perseverance, in
keeping the little "Dillardr going when
other craft were ice-bound. The speaker
eulogized the gentleman after whom the
new boat was named as being a native
OF Essex and for years now one of the
leading spirits OF the Northern Neck, and
he gave due credit to the VIRGINIA CITIZEN
and its editor for having had the route
established. Not the least striking point
in the Grafton was the pride that Middle
sex and this whole section took in being
able to build such boat within our con-
fines. A few years ago we would have
had to go to Newport News or some
other shipbuilding establishment to get
such a staunch craft. The speakers per-
grafton was good and he received gener-
GUS applause.
The address was followed by a strong
and fervent prayer from Rev. Richard
Ferguson, pastor OF tn. Methodist
in Middlesex.
Capt. Dayton had procured brass
band from Molusk, and between times
the band serenaded for the occasion.
At the word, the launch Sentinel
took hold of the hawser and gave the
boat n start. She was going beautifully
and as she struck the water the sponsor
shattered the bottle of champagne on
her Prov and said-''I christen thee DIR.
w. j. Newbill, with good luck" Almost
Immediately the boat stopped, the cradle
becoming disarranged. In few minutes
the Potomac took hold of the boat and
walked of in the water with it in great
shape, amid the footing Of whistles, the
beating Of the band and loud shouts.
As she got clear in the water the giant
colors were hoisted--one the u. S. flag
and the other a 15-foot streamer with
name upon it.
The vessel will cost when completed
about $4,000. The launching alone
cost Capt. Dayton $50. he had pro-
vided two drop-boxes for contributions,
but only S42 was contributed by the
crowd, and this nearly altogether by
lew friends.
The plank shears are laid, and TODAY it
Is expected to tow her to Baltimore to
install machinery. Her house will also
be put on in Baltimore.
She will have two decks running from
stem to stern. Her first deck forward.
will be opened Is feet; first room will be
lSx3O and saloon aft 14x4O. Forward
cabin will be fitted for kitchen and din
ing saloon; after cabin for sleeping quart
ers, with.pilot house and eight staterooms
with accommodation for 16 passengers,
which will be quite handy for fishing and
tour. The Newbill is expected
to be running by the first of December.