Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-26
GIANT MISSISSIPPI
TAKES TO WATER
Miss McBeath Christens Dread
nought at Launching at
Newport News.
BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE USED
More Than $4,000 Persons Pres
ent-Secretary Daniels Pays
Tribute to Dewey.
BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE USED
IHv A.socln,eA Press.

~ Associated Press
NEWPORT NEWS. VA. January -.
Tho great red-coa,ed hull Of tho
super Dreaduough Mississippi tonight
was inoorcd 10 q pier at the plant Of
the Newport News Shipbuilding and
Dry Dock Company where tomorrow
hundreds Of workncn Will begin the
work Of preparing her 10 take first
rank in the nations sea forces
The battlcship. the third American
iuan-o-war 10 bear her name. was
launched here to-day before a distin-
gnished company. including Secretary
of the Navy Daniels. Senator Varda-
man. most 81 the Mississippi delegation
n the House of Representations and
rankin" naval .liccrs, Governor II. G..
stuart and party. and other guests.
MORE THAN I5.UN PEOPLE
WITNESSED THE LAUNCHING
~ the hull began It's journey down
the ways To tn. waters Of the James
River where the second Mississippi was
chNstensd as part OF the fleet OF the
Grecihn government three years ago,
Miss Camille McBeath. Of Meridian.
Miss. daughter OF the Democratic com
rnit;"eman from that State broke the
traditional bottle Of champagne across
The batil.ship's steel Prov. With the
first perceptible movement of the giant
hull, She crashed the bottle Of cham
pasne against the bow OF the iron
monster. eXclaimimg in a low. but clear
voice, Il chr!st"n thee Mississippi"
Threatening rain and a damp. cold
fog. reaching down from the gray
heavens to meet with the placid waters
% ihe historic James. made il very
uncomfortable for the launching par
~ and all those present.
THIRD AMERICAN WARSHIP
NAMED MISSISSIPPI
The Mississippi is the third American
warshp 10 bear that name. Secretary
Of the Navy Daniels said in an ad
dress at the luncheon given by tie
builders. 1t was on the first Mississippi
that Commodore Perry crossed the Pa
citic 10 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 few" Secretary Daniels said.
Its record was always an inspiration
TO the second Mississippi. and the third
Mississippi. it is needless to say. will
seek TO emulate its courage and
achievements.
Resides Matthew Calbraith Perry.
the decks of tn. old Mississippi We're
trod by another fighter who was
destined To become world figure.
Lieutenant George Dewey was execu-
tive officer Of The Mississippi. when she
helped Farragut to fight his way past
the forts below New Orleans. and forced
2 lac. a ii.
nassas TO run aground and then de-
stroyed her with a couple Of broad
sides. Later. the Mississippi ran
aground during the bold attack on Fort
Hudson. where she caught fire and
finally blew up. Captain Smith. in his
report. comm mcnded Lieutenant Dewey
for his coolness and callantry on this
occasion
The second Mississippi rendered her
service in time of peace. continued the
secretary. She was authorized in 1903,
and was sold IL Greece on July s, 1914.
DESTR UCTINE POWER
Will. BE ENORMOUS
The now mississippi Mr. Daniels
said. will have ten times the displlce-
men, Of the first Mississippi and her
batteries will have 1000 times the de-
structivc power Of the batteries of the
old ship.
The Dreadnought Mississippi. even
without armament and machinery,
represents an expenditure of nearly
SS.000.oo0. When she is ready 10 take
her place in the battle fleet. the gov
crnment will have spent almost twice
that amount on her
The Mississippi was laid down in
April. 1915. and will be ready IL be
commissioned late next fan. Except
FOR slight iodification in certain prin-
ciples Of design. the Mississippi Will be
duplicate OF the DrcadnuuEhts Penn
sylvania and Arizona, recently COM
mssioncd.
The new battlcship will have
maximum speed OF twenty-onc knots.
VIII displacc 32.000 tons on trial and
"3,0pr when fully loaded. and will have
length over all of 624 feet It's on
gines will be Of the Curtis turbine type,
productive of an estimated horse power
Of $4,000. Like the other latest battle
craft. 1t will be equipped with oil-burn-
ing boilers
The main battery of the Mississippi
will be twelve fourteen inch fifty
caliber rifles. placed three To the tur-
ret. In addition. there will be twenty
two hvc-inch fty-onc-calibcr rapid
fire guns. four thrcc-inch anita ircraft
rifles two twcnty-one-inrh torpedo
tubes submerged. and the usual Salut-
ing guns.
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