The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-16
MONTANA GLIDES
into BRINY DEEP
Latest Addition TO American
Navy Most Successfully
Launched.
BEAUTIFUL HEIRESS SPONSOR
Miss Conrad, Daughter of Mon
tana Millionaire, Breaks Bottle
of American Wine.
Lspaslal % 1he rlmsa. pena,ca.l

NEWPORT NEWS. Va. December IS.
The nrst-class armored cruiser Montana
was successfully launched Al the plant
Of the Newport News bodybuilding and
Dry Dock Company this morning at s.55
o'clock. Miss Minnie A Conrad. daugh-
ter Of Hon. ~. O. Conrad. a miuionair ire
mine owner and banker Of Montana. broke
the traditional bottle Of champagne
against the steel hull and gave the vessel
her name.
Only about two thousand people Wit
messed the launching. and on account Of
the early hour ~ the event. the s~hipyard
ala not shut down for the day. in ac-
ordance with its usual custom. The
Navy Department was represented only
10y the officers stationed at the yard. and
the State Of Virginia had no representa-
tive present. as Governor swanson and
his stan were in Norfolk 70 attend the
presentation Of the silver service 10 the
Dattleship Virginia.
The weather was Ideal. and the launch
ing was one Of the prettiest ever seen
ar the yard. The great ship giided from
The hun easily and gracefully and float
ed ont upon the James. TO be- cantured
10y tugs that stood IN waiting The ship
was towed 10 a pier. where tho work OF
completing her began at once.
Launching Luncheon.
N"A AtE A4Ai-l4lAk IIf customary
post-launchinR luncheon was given at
Hotel Warwick IN honor Of the fair
sponsor The luncheon was a DELIGHTFULLY."-
Informal affair. al which covers were
laid FOR about evenly five. The feature
90 the occasion was a brief response by
Miss Conrad 10 the toast proposed by Cen
eral Manage ". 4. Post. OF the ship
yard. The Sponsor"
Other toasts were responded 10 az FOL
lows.
The President OF the United states W
United States Senator Thomas II Carter,
o. Montana
The State Of Virginia" Hon. s. r.
Buxton Mayor Of Newport News.
THE United states Navy" Commander
Ransome. Inspector OF machinery at the
Montana. Hon Martin Maginnis. Of
Montana
The United states Army" Colonel
Harrison. commandaut Of Fort Monroe.
Following the launching the Montana
party boarded a tux and went aboard tho
armored cruiser Tennessee. IN Hampton
Roads. 20 witness the silver service pre-
sentatiOn aboard that vessel.
In the christening party were; Miss
Minnie A Conrad. tho sponsor; Misses
Josephine Conrad and Irene Moore. the
maids. Nj. and Airs. ". Q. Conrad. Mr..
and Mrs. A. ?. Conrad. Mr.. John Hurd
Senator Thomas II. Garter, Congressman
Dixon and Hon. Martin Maginnis. The
party left for home tonight.
One Of the Best.
Tie great armcred cruiser Montana
which WAS launched at the local shipyard
to-day. rs a sister ship TO the North Car
DINA. launched several months ago.
These vessels were provided for by an
act OF Congress approved April 81. 1904,
which provided for the construction OF two
hrst-ciass armored cruisers Of about 1900
tons trial displacement. each 10 carry the
heaviest armor and most powerful arma-
ment for a vessel Of its class. TO have
the highest practicable speed and great
radius Of action. and 70 cost. ~exclusive
Of armor and armament. not exceeding
$4,000. 900.
The contract fOr the construction OF
these ships was let 10 the Newport News
Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company on