Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-08
CRUISER LAUNCHED
AMID PEACE TALKS.
Celebrities Present at Cere-
monies as Houston Is
Given to Seas.
BY JOHN CLINE.
Etaff Correspondent OF TIE Star.
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NEWPOkT EkWS, Va, Scp.amber T.
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News Sn.EbuilG.nG s. l.. ! Du1k Co. like
some graceful bird OF fight, the Hlus-
ton was held in p, sition by check blocks
until the noon whistle blew At til
hour the blocks were knocked away
the cruiser moved slowly forward Miss
Elizabeth Holcombe, daughter of the
former mayor of Houston. Tex, struck
the moving bow with bottle of Hous-
ton Channel water.
Bottle Fails to Break.
The bottle failed to break, and swung
backwards. Homer L. Ferguson, presi-
dent of the shipbuilding company,
seized it and smashed 1t against the
vessel.
Sirens shrieked and whistles screamed
as the ship gathered speed down the
ways. A feet of airplanes zomed down,
scattering roses over her decks.
Out in the Roads at anchor idled
four big battleships of the line-the
Wyoming, flagship of the Atlantic feet:
the Utah, the Arkansas and the Teas.
No sooner had the Houston come
to stop than a fleet of river tugs sour
ried to her sides and attached lines.
She was towed to a dock In the yards,
where the necessary finishing touches
will be applied.
The launching ceremonies were at
tended by celebrities in naval and
public life. Gov. Harry Flood Byrd Of
Virginia came down by plane from
Richmond, Vice Admiral w. G. Cole
and other high ranking officers from
the Atlantic fleet temporarily in the
Roads, also were present. On the
platform were Miss Holcombe. Miss
Mary Ellen Butte of Houston, maid of
honor; Miss Charlotte Williams, great
granddaughter of Gen. Sam Houston;
Mayor w. E. Monteith of Houston, AS
sistant Secretary Jahncke and Mr..
Ferguson.
Bulbons Bow Conspicuous.
A conspicuous feature of the Houston
before she slid down the ways was the
PCIu41dA 0AlbOuS DONs ASduSn1S I41C &c
Sistance and increasing the speed of
the ship. This is feature of the new
German liner Bremen, holder of the
transatlantic speed record. After the
christening ceremonies were over the
party returned to the Chamberlin-Va VAN
derbilt Hotel, at Old Point Comfort,
for luncheon. In the absence of Gov.
Byrd. who was called back to Rich
mond, the Virginia States attorney.
John Saunders. delivered an address
of welcome to the 200 Texans who
came up from Houston to attend the
launching.
Senators Make Addresses.
United States Senators Sheppard and
Connally Of Texas, made short adj
dresses.
The cruiser Houston is nearly twice
as large as the old battleship Texas,
which won fame at Santiago" Ass slant
Secretary Jahncke declared.
MY most feryent hope is that the
guns of this ship will ncV take a
mans life" ho said. 1T is not an
engine to provoke war but a symbol to
preserve peace
Mr.. Fer usCn. presented the Nays
SD nsor diploma and wrist watch to
Miss Holcombe. A similar diploma was
awarded a few days ago to MRS Calvin
Coo'idg9 at the christening of tn"
cruiser Nort,1s r7Nton Anctl wr!s'
watch and the maid OF hocor diploma
Wrre given Miss Butte.