The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-07-12
me Tinnlan Launched
At Navy Yard
Miss Marie Til1m a Grand.
daughter Of the Senator Chris
tens the Craft With
Champagne

tens the Craft With
Champagne
Charleston, July Tn the pres
ence of a notable assemblage Of ma
val officers and guests, the torpedo
boat destroyer Tilllnan took the wa
ter ct the navy yard yesterday after
noon at 5.31 o'clock, gliding grace
fully down the ways into the Cooper
river without untoward incident
AS the craft started down the ways,
Miss Marie Tillman, granddaughter Of
the late United States senator, smash
ed a bottle Of champagne against the
prov saying, With this christen
thee Tillman," the men in the gather
ing standing with barred heads during
the impressive, though brief, cere-
mony.
Rear Admiral Benjamin G. Bryan,
commandant Of the yard; Rear Ad-
miral Francis E. Beatty, commandant
of the Sixth naval district, Com
mander John Williams Woodruff, un-
der whose supervision the craft was
built; Col Charles A. Bennett, COM
manding the Southeastern Depart
ment of the army; Gov. Robert A.
Cooper and Mayor Tristram F. Hyde
were included in the official launching
party.
Mrs BENJAMIN Ryan Tillnan, widow
of the senator; Major Henry c. Till
man and Mr.. Benjamin c. Ttllman, his
sons; Miss Helen Tillman. niece;
Er. Charles s. Moore, Of Atlantic
City, a son-in-law; United States Dis
trict Attorney J. William Thurm ond,
Mr. w A. Strom, of Edgefeld, and
Mr.. John w. Fowler, of Laurens, oe-
cupied prominent places on the Off
cial party and were considered as
guests of honor
Miss Tillman is the twelve year old
daughter Of Major Tillman, of Green
wood. Misses Virginia Woodruff and
Mildred Ramsey, daughters Of naval
officers at the yard, and Almena
Sloan, of Greenwood, were ner maids
Of honor for the ceremony Of chris
tening the craft.
The launching ceremonies were
simple and the program was executed
without hitch Besides the platform
for the. Sponsors party, another Sec
ton was roped off for holders Of
tickets, and those without tickets were
assigned to another platform. While
the crowd was assembling the Navy
Yard Band played popular music.
When the moment for the craft to
glide into the water 5.31, high tide,
arrived, Rear. Admiral 3. c.. Bryan
gave the signal, and the fighting yes
sci went easily into the water. AS it
started on its journey the grand
daughter OF the late senator, who was
being f1onored, broke bottle Of
champagne on it's bow saying: With
this christen thee Tllman." When
to it's anchorage where it will be got
ten ready for the sea. AS 1t sglided
into the water, the band played Star
Spangled Banner" and the crowd stood
with barred heads.
The Tillrnan is one Of the largest
and best destroyers in the navy. Its
specifications are: Length, 314 feet
four and one-half inches; breadth,
thirty-one feet eight and one-quarter
inches; mean draft, nine feet; dis
placement, 1,154 tons; fuel capacity,
oil, 82,2S0 gallons; horse power, 26,-
600; speed, thirty-five knots It's
building was under the supervision OF
Commander Woodruff.
The Tillman was named for Ben
janin Ryan Tillman, Senator from
South Carolina, who died as chairman
of the senate committee on naval af-
fairs, and who was staunch friend
of the navy yard. It was he that
pushed the measure to- esta blish the
yard, and no opportunity was passed
by him to do some good turn for the
yard When Secretary Meyer recon-
mended that the Navy, YARD at Char
lesion be abandoned. Senator Tillman
exerted his influence and saved the
yard. This fitting tribute to his
memory was appreciated by all friends
Of the Charleston Navy Yard.
After the launching reception was
given by Admiral and Mrs. Bryan at
their home. After the guests had been
received, they went to the lawn where
refreshments were served The band
dispensed sweet music during the re-
ception.
The launching was pronounced a
success in every sense, and those in
charge have every reason to. feel
satisfied with the event. The Tillman
viii be commissioned next spring.
Drive in Alabama
A Ano:nSf C1lffrona