The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1906-10-11

"iU OASUOSN 49, P
ence of 10000 people. The ships
sponsor was Miss Rebekah Williams
Glenn, daughter of Gov. r. 3. Glenn
Of North Carolina, who was present
with his staff and an escort Of prom
North Carolinions. "a'
Miss Lillian Thompson of Raleigh,
N c., was the sponsors, maid of hon
Or, and Mrs, A A. Arlington, also of
Raleigh, was dame Of honor.
When the resonant sound of the
sledge driving III the last wedge hold
ing the vessel had died away the sig
nal was given that all was ready 10
General Manager Walter a. Post
of the Newport News Shipbuilding
company. A stout saw operated by
two mechanics began to saw its way
through the heavy timber, while the
crowd on shore kept eyes on the chris
ening booth, where stood Miss Glenn
and cher maids of honor, Gov. Glenn
and Mr. Post. Suddenly the buzzing
of the saw was drowned by i crack
ing of timber which announced the
severing of the h~eel-piece below. Tho
big ship trembled and began to slide
down the ways.
"She's off, came from thousands
of thrOats, and pandemonium broke
loose.
simultaneously with the first move
ment OF the ship Miss Glenn grace
fully east the bottle Of old wine
against the receding bow, saying. Il
christen thee. North Carolina"
The cheering was SO loud that her
words were audible only to those. near
her,
Gaining momentum as it proceeded,
the cruiser struck the wafer ut CON
siderable speed, bow first, and glided
ont on the river, ~careening neither TO
right o left. The splash following
the stern s contact with the river was
the occasion for a most enthusiastic
demonstration for the success for the
launching was assured by the manner
i'll which the vessel took to water. The
cheering Of the throng on shore vas
taken up by the crowds on the excur-
sion steamers. While the crowds look
ed on. disinclined to leave the scene
SO soon, tugs ran hawserS to the in
complete ship and finally towed her
to the pier, where the finishing touch
es will be received. rte
The North Carolina is advanced
about IS per cent. toward completion,
farther than any other ar1nor-clad at
the time of launching.
There was no hitch OF accident to
mar the days programme.
Immediately following there was a
banquet at the Hotel Warwick to
Miss Glenn and the launching party.
When completed the North Caro-
lima will be one of the most power
full war vessels on the seas. In arm
ament and equipment is has no equal
afoat.
The North Carolina.
When completed the armored cruis-
er North Carolina will take rank in
point of speed and endurance with
any warship aflOat, and in many re-
will surpass anything Of which
the navies of the world now boast.
In her construction, armament and
will have been embodied
the practical knowledge gained by ex-
periments and experience Of a de-
cade, the lessons taught by a modern
wal. the fruits of the brains of the
worlds best marine architects-the
naval constructors of the United
States, and the Drawn of the best
equipped shipyard on the globe-the
Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry
Dock Co. Equipped with an array
of monster, modern .breech-loading
rifles, rapid-ire and automatic guns
and torpedo tubes that frown men
acingly from. barbette,- sponsor,
turret and fighting top, and protected
below water line, as well as an ar
mored deck, the cruiser North Caro-
lima will be capable of attacking
successfully the mmost formidable
battieship afoat. Nor is that all.
To be fitted with twin screws, triple
expansion engines, capable of de-
veloping not less than $4,000 horse
power, and a speed OF %. nautical
knots, or about 27 miles and hour.
this great vessel, should the tide of
battle turn against her, could easily
show the feetest of her enemies a
:. clean pair of HEELS" as the sailor
say, in a race to a safe haven.
The Armament.
Main battery:
-Four 10-inch breech-loading rifles.
Sixteen 6-inch bree~ch-loading rifles.
Four submerged torpedo tubes.
Secondary battery: }