Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-05-13
Biggest American Dread :
nought Is Launched
Bottle Gracefully Broken Over
Bow by Fair Sponsor.
Eleven Girl Attendants Represent
Florida and the Navy.

New York, May 12.-Flying the white
starred ensign of the United States
navy at her stem, the Stars and Stripes
at her stern and "a string of gay sig
nal remnants along the $50 feet of her
deck line, the battleship Florida the
biggest of the American Dread
noughts. built thus far. was success
fully launched at the Brooklyn navy
yard today in the presence of the Vice
President of the United States, the
secretary of the navy. the naval at
taches of all the powers and a crowd
of 10000 enthusiasts. whom lowering
skies and intermittent rains had failed
to keep away.
The q .825 ton fighting Leviathian,
built to carry the thunder Of ~ l2-inch
guns, the concentrated big gun fire Of
five ordinary battleships-glded down
the ways to the strains of the Star
Spangled Banner" played by the Navy
Yard and 18th. Infantry Bands. while
the crowd cheercd and hundreds of
river craft footed their noisy welcome.
Her lesser sisters moored or an
chored in the navy yard, the Rhode
Island. Nebraska. Connecticut. Yank
ton and Hancock, dipped their colors
in salute as the monster gray and red
fighting machine struck her stern into
the dividing waters of the river and
,ip and down stream for II mile men
stood ready to let out the mooring and
anchor chains of various vessels sent
bobbing M he 10 and l5- foot crest
of the wave sent up by the Florida as
she struck the water.
Preceding the arrival of Vice PreSI-
dent Sherman, Secretary Of the Navy
Geo. l.. Won Myer and other distinguish
ed guests, an army of navy yard work
men had wcdged mp the giant battle
ships and removed the side shores and
cribhnE amidshirs, AS soon as the tide
was declared favorable. word was given
To remove the l20 keel blocks ana Nav
III Constructor Baxter tool; up his sta
ton at the stern of the Florida on the
Starboard side.
The christening party. headed by MISS
Elizabeth Fleming, daughter of Il for
mer governor of Florida and sponsor
FOR the big battlcsItip and comprising
Governor Gilchrst aud Senators Talii;-
Zorro and Fletcher of Florida. took up
their positions on the special platform
built up near the nose of the big snip
and Miss Fleming and her II girl at
tendautS. six representing Florida and
five the navy. moved up cxpectantly to
the rail
Finally the noise of the Ilummering on
the keel blocks ceased and Naval Con
StruCtor Baxter gave the word SAW
Oft At the command two bury ships
carpenters began drawing "A cleaning g.
foot saw across the 5-inCh oak timber
forming one with the under or perma-
ncnt ways.
Miss Fleming seized the ribboned bot
tie in her hand and, unfurried, awaited
the cruical moment
There was an OminOuS cracking, the
sliding ard permanent ways slowly drew
apart aud with Il mighty heave the little
godalother Of the giant sea fighter sent
the champagne bottle crashing against
the ships side.
The Florida heSitated a moment, then
slowly and ponderously Glided down
the ways with the voice of ner sponsor
clearly and proudly calling out:
Go. brave ship: | christcn thee 'Fiori-
da"
the launching was the most success
CONTINUED on Page Twelve.)