The Washington herald., 1906-12-16
CHRISTENS WAR SHIP
The Montana Is Successfully
Launched atNewpOrt News.
VESSEL so PER CENT FINISHED
Miss Minnie Conrad Breaks Bottle of
Native Wine on Prov rs MRn-of-
sistant Secretary of the Navy New
berry at the Ceremony.
So 70 The washInrton HeraId.

Special to The Washington Herald.
Newport News, Va, Dec. 15.-Another
new naval queen was given her initial
baptism at the yards of the Newport
News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Com
pany to-day when the United States
arrnored cruiser Montana was successfully
launched
For the first time in the history of this
great shipbuilding plant the launching
was held before O'Clock. because the
tide was high at that hour. Contrary
to the usual custom the yard was not
closed, and the 7.0O0 men employed in the
yard worked on almost unconscious of
the big event tnat was taking place along
the water front. The gates We're thrown
open 20 the public. and several thousand
people, many Of them strangers, witnessed
the launching.
Chrfstened with Native Wine.
A fair granddaughter of the Old Domin-
ion. Miss Minnie Conrad, the daughter Of
W. G. Conrad a millionaire mine
and ranch owner of Montana had the
proud honor of giving the new war ship
its name. As the vessel started on her
short journey down the ways she reso-
lutely clasped the suspended bottle ~
American wine. and with all the
strength in her shapely right arm she
hurled it against the ships PROV. Only
those In the immediate vicinity were able
to distinguish her words as she said Il
christen thee Montana"
The heavy mass of steel and iron gath
cred momentum with each succeeding IN
stant. and in less than a minute after
she began 10 move her stern had struck
the water and her bow had left the ways.
She suddenly Tighted herself, and the
great ship was afloat.
Hut go Per Cent Completed.
a mighty shout went up and the shrill
whistles Of dozens Of small steamers and
tugs rent the air, "a formal and fitting
greeting to a new queen OF the deep. Tugs
laid hold of the great hulk by means of
cables and hawscrs and tOwed her into "a
waiting berth, where she viii remain for
several months while she is being com
pleted As matter OF fact. the vessel is
not more than 81 per cent finished at this
time. and will remain at the yard for
about a year before she is ready to 80
into commission. Her sister ship. the
North Carolina, was launched on October
s last, and is several per cent nearer
completion than the Montana The North
Carolina will be ready for her trial trip
early in the fall, and the Montana viii
go out two months later.
In the Christening Party.
Montana was represented at the launch
ing by Hon Martin Maginess. who was
formerly that States representative in
Congress before Montana became a State.
Gov. Toole was unable to be present. and
sent Hon Mr.. Maginess in his stead
Miss Conrad was attended by her sister.
Miss Blanche Conrad, and her father.
who Owns Virginia as his native State.
also occupied place on the christening
| platform. The Newport News Shipbuild-
I ing and Dry Dock Company was repre-
sented by General Manager Walter 4
/ Post. who was the first 10 congratulate
/ the sponsor upon the successful accom-
| plishment Of her purpose. The govern
ment was represented by Assistant Secre-
/ tary Of the Navy Newberry, Secretary
| Bonaparte being unable 20 attend
The party remained on the platform
| for several minutes after the ship had
taken TO the water. and then left The
stand. The guests were taken 10 the
| Warwick Hotel. where the shipbuilding
company had prepared the customary
| pOst-launching breakfast The success
Of the event was highly satisfactory tC
| everybody and the greatest enthusiasm
| prevailed at the breakfast.
Never Had Unsuccessful Launching
Miss Conrad and her party left tonight
/ for Montana, via Washington It is pos
/ sible that she will visit her fathers sum
mer home in the Shenandoah Valley OF
/ this State before returning TO her native
/ State. Mr.. AIaginess viii return to Mon
/ tana direct.
The actual launching Of the ship was
! accomplished by General Superintendent
Of Hull Construction NJ V Doughty anC
| Superintendent Homer L. Ferguson. Il
/ is a matter of record that this yard ha.
never had an unsuccessful launching. al
though the armored cruiser MaryldnC
! stuck at the bottom of the ways wheI
she was launched three years ago and
was not gotten of for three days.
The Montana viii be, when completed
one of the fastest ships In the American
navy. Her contract calls for Il speed o
p knots, but her builders are confiden
that she can easily excel this mark by
| at least one knot
The Montana is the last war ship OF
the stocks of the Newport News ship