The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-25

Newport News. Jan. 25.-The super
dreadnaught Mississippi was success
fully launched today in the presence
of Secretary Daniels. other distin-
guished visitors and more than $4,000
spectators.
Newport News, Va, Jan. 25.-The
battleship Mississippi which was
launched here today, is the third
American warship to bear that name,
Secretary of the Navy Daniels said in
an address at the luncheon given by
the builders. 1t was on the Missis-
sippi that Commodore Perry crossed
the Pacific to Japan and opened the
commerce of that country to America
and the world.
THE first Mississippi won great re-
nOwn for both the navy itself and the
flag it flew" Secretary Daniels said
It's record was always an inspira-
ton to the second Mississippi and the
third Mississippi it is needless to say
will seek to emulate it's courage and
achievements.
Besides Matthew Galbraith Perry
the decks of the old Mississippi Were
trod by another sea fighter who was
destined to become a world figure
Lieutenant George Dewey was exec
utive officer of the Mississippi when
SIG Hclp0d dTdSul TO IlSAI his way
past the forts below New Orleans and
| forced the formidable Confederate
ram Manassas to run aground and
! then destroyed her with couple OF
broadsides. Later the Mississippi ran
aground during the bold attack on
and finally blew up. Captain Smith in
his report commended Lieutenant
Dewey for his GOODNESS and gallantry
on this occasion
The second Mississippi rendered
her service in time of peace" the sec
retary continued. She was author
lied in 1903 and was sold to Greece
on July s, 1914" The lew Mississip-
pi, Mr. Daniels said, will have ter
times the displacement of the first
Mississippi and her batteries will have
one thousand times the destructivz
power of the batteries of the old ship
Christened by Mississippi Girl.
Newport News, Va, Jan. 25.-T..e
dreadnaught Mississippi, which will be
one of the worlds most efficient and
powerful fighting machines, Eas
launched here today. She was chris
tened by Miss Camille McBeath, o1
Meridian. Miss, daughter of ]. M Nc
cratic committee.
Only the shell of the great sea
fighter will take to the water. but ever
without armament and machinery {
represents an expenditure of nearly
$S,0OO,00O- When she is ready to take
her place in the battle fleet the gov
eminent will have spent almost twic,
that amount on her.
! The Mississippi was laid down il
| April. 1915. and will be ready to b,
commissioned late next fall Excep
for slight modification in certain prin
! ciples of design. the Mississippi will b,
a duplicate of the dreadnaughtS Penn
! sylvania and Arizona, recently com
missioned.
Speed of 21 Knots.
The new battleship Will have max
imum speed of 81 knots, will displac,
$4,000 tons on trial and $4,000 whe1
fully loaded. and will have a length
, over all of 624 feet Its engines will b,
of the Curtis turbine type, preductiv,
of an estimate horsepower of $4,000
Like the other latest battle-craft, i
will be equipped with oil-burning boil
! ers.
The main battery of the Mississippi
J will be twelve 14-inch, 5O-calibe
rifles. placed three to the turret II
addition, there will be twenty-five 5
inch. 51-caliber rapid-fire guns, fou
3-inch anti-aircraft rifles, two 21-incI
! torpedo tubes submerged, and the usu
al saluting guns