The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-12-19
THE MONTANA IS LAUNCHED.
New Warshtp Christened BY q Former
Resident Of Ch0uteau County.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-With flags
streaming in the wind, whistles shriek-
ing and crowds cheering, the great ar.
mored cruiser Montana, christened by
a daughter of the treasure state,
plunged down the ways into the waves
OF Hampton Roads at Newport News
today, and now rides gracefully ct
anchor, awaiting the big guns that
will make her one of the most formid-
able warships aaoat. Governor Toole
was unable to be present. He was
represented by Major Maginnis, of
Helena. The navy department was
represented on the christening stand
by officers from Washington and the
navy yard on this station, az we'll as
by corps OF navy officers who are
permanently stationed at the ship.
yard. Officials of the shipyar enter.
tanned number of guests from near.
by and distant cities, and the launch.
ing platform was we'll filled when the
sponsors party reached the yard,
about o'clock this morning.
Miss Conrad and her party took po-
sitions in the christening booth which
had been built on the edge of the
stand close to the steel prov of the
monster vessel. A force of picked
workmen had been at work for some
time removing the shores from under
the ships sides, and at a given signal
they began driving home wedges that
raised the cradle or sliding ways clear
OF the ground ways. When this work
was completed and everything was in
readiness for the final preparation,
General Manager +. a. Post, who was
in the christening booth with the spon.
sor's party, gave the order aud the
employees began TO sever the heel
pieces under the bow Of the vessel,
stout timbers that held the sliding
ways in position on the ground ways.
The crowd of spectators waited with
breathless interest as the huge saw
penetrated its way through the tim.
bers. Finally there was sound Of
cracking timber. A sharp snap was
followed by quiver of the steel hull
as it started from its resting place
simultaneously with the first move
ment of the vessel. Miss Conrad
dashed the silk.incased bottle of ch am.
payne against the receding prov, ex.
claiming as the foaming wine started
to race down the steel wall: "Thee
chris,en Montana
Slowly, at first, the new cruiser be-
gan its downward journey, gaining
momentum as it proceeded and strik.
ing the water at the rate of possibly
or ~ knots an hour. The vessels
stern struck the water with q loud
splash. the bow dipping gracefully as
it left the ways. The hull hoated
buoy antly out upon the surface of the
historic James river, being secured
by tugs with stout hawsers and was
later towed to the pier, where the fin
ishing touches will be received.
In the christening party were Miss
Minnie A. Conrad, the sponsor; Miss
Josephine Conrad and Irene Moore,
the maids of honor: Mr.. and Mrs. w.
G. Conrad, Mr.. and Mrs. A. r. Con.
rad, John Hurd, Senator Thomas H.
Carter, Congressman Dixon and Mar
tin Maginnis.
The Montana was constructed at q
contracted cost of $3.50. 900. The
length of the vessel at water line is
5O2 feet; extreme beam, y feet 1O4
inches; indicated horse power, $4,000;
speed, p knots. She Is propelled by
two twin screws. In the main battery
are four lO.inch breech.loading guns.
The boat also carries q formid able
secondary battery.