The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1915-10-22
"PALATKA" TOOK THE
WATER BEAUTIFULLY
Last Tuesday Afternoon
Great Crowd Enjoyed the
Launching.

The schooner "Palatka" has finally
yielded to persuasion and has taken
to the water: likes it so we'll that it
will take something more than persua
sion to get her out,
The announcement Of the launch
ing was given Tuesday morning for
1 o'clock that day. By the hour
named a great crowd had assembled
on the ground. A few moments later
the steamer Crescent" arrived with
another large crowd.
Men were knocking the props cut
from under, beginning at the bow and
working back. The track was greesed
with Florida tallow.
The sponsor, Miss Margaret Will
lard, and her assistants, with the own
ers and several invited guests mount
ed the deck; when next to the last
prop had been knocked out there was
heard a little crunching noise and the
crowd was warned to stand back;
the workmen were just preparing to
knock out the last prop, when the
great ship gave way. The slide was
most graceful. AS the ship began to
move Miss Willard repeated the words
of her ritual and cracked the bottle Of
champaign over the side of the great
ship, and the thing was done.
The great ship rode the ways per-
fectly, striking the water squarely and
gliding gracefully into the river where
she floated along with the tide until
she was caught and guided back to her
moorings, where the finishing touches
will be put on. 1t was a beautiful
sight, this graceful ship decorated
with its flags and bunting, and as she
rode the water every Palatkan felt a
pride in her, as well they might, and
in the enterprise of her builders.
Of course there were no special
exercises aside from the actual christ
ening by Miss Willard-these had
been held on the Thursday before. 1t
was then that Mayor Merriam in the
name of the city presetend the name
plates and signal flags, and Mrs. d.
J. Coughlin, for the Palatka Woman's
Club, presented the beautiful Amer
lean flag which is to command the re-
spect of the nations as the "Palatka"
rides the seas. That Capt. Walter
Surles appreciated these gifts, was
manifest in his address of thanks,
when he said:
"In behalf of the owners and con-
structors of this boat, wish to assure
you of our appreciation Of and graf
itude to the good people of Palatka,
and Putnam county for the compli-
ments, kind words and many tokens of
good will you have so lavishly be-
slowed on us. Such acts of kindness
can never be forgotten, but will re-
main with us during the years to
come, an incentive to greater efforts,
and whether this boat sails smoothly
or is wrecked by the hazards of the
SEA-, the good impressions made today
will survive.
Madam President of the Wonlan's
Club, desire to express to you and
you to all the members of
your Club, our sincere thanks for tais
beautiful flag of our country. Appro-
will il he attached to this
ship and proudly will it wave through
the breezes OF many climes, constant
ly reminding US of your good will and
generous offering.
Mr.. President, and members of
the City Council, please accept our
thanks and be assured of our graft
tude for this beautiful name plate,
bearing the name of the Gem City
and the name of this boat, which YOU
have so graciously rendered to us. 1t
will be appropriately attached to this
boat telling the multitudes of the pa
triotic home of this ship, located in
the tropics CT this fair COn,mor.
wealth.
Long live this patriotic people in
happiness. Long float this ship un-
der the name of the Gem City in hon
orable transit and forever may the
flag of our country wave triumphant
y over this Nation"