Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 May 1901 — LAUNCH BIG WARSHIP [ARTICLE]

LAUNCH BIG WARSHIP

OHIO TAKES ITS FIRST DIP IN SALT WATER. President McKinley Partlctpatee Ip the Ceremonies— M iss Barber Presses Button that Bets Veasel Free-Fifty Thousand Cheering People Witness Event. At San Francisco, amid the booming of the big guns of the warships, the shriek of thousands of steam whistles and the cheers of 50,000 people, the battleship Ohio at 12;26 Saturday afternoon took its first dip into the sea. Miss Barber, a niece of Mrs. McKinley, pressed the button that released the big hull and Miss Helen Deshler of Ohio broke the bottle of champagne and gave to the new fighting machine its name. Fortunately Mrs. McKinley’s condition permitted President McKinley to attend the launching from the yards of the Union iron works. To witness the launching of this ship, named in honor of his native State, was the real object of the President’s long trip across the continent, and was the event which has attracted to the Pacific coast the Governors of three States, the Ohio congressional delegation, several United States Senators and many other notable and distinguished people. Dramatic and picturesque as was the sight of 14,000 tons of steel sliding into the full-breasted tide of San Francisco bay, it was not so splendid and magnificent as the great naval pageant which accompanied, nor as profoundly impressive as the greeting extended to the President by the 4,500 employes of the shipyard. President Welcome! Soldiers. The transport Sheridan arrived from Manila during the day, with a large number of soldiers on board, and as it steamed into the harbor the presidential party, on the Slocum, steamed out to and around the transport. It was but a few seconds before the soldiers, crowding on the rails of the transport, recognized the President, and their enthusiasm at the unexpected welcoming by their President knew no bounds. The President drove rapidly through the streets and was cheered enthusiastically and in response- repeatedly lifted his hat. Arrived at the transport dock, he boarded the government tug Slocum, which was to carry the presidential party and congressional delegation nnd other favored guesfs to the scene of the launching nt the Union iron work*. Besides the cabinet members and the ladies, there were on board the little vessel Gov. Nash of Ohio and his staff, Miss Barber, niece of Mrs. McKinley, and Miss Deshler. aud her sister. A great fleet of craft of every possible description had preceded the President out into the blue waters of the bay, all loaded down to the water’s edge with masses of humanity anxious to do, the President honor. It was a glorious sight. Flags and bunting streamed from their fastenings in the cool breeze, flags fluttered and of national colors trailed in the wind. Bands played popular airs and there was an incessant cheering. Added to the noise which issued from the smaller craft in the bay was the boom of the cannon from several warships anchored in the harbor. All along the water front the fleet of boats were given ovations and returning cheers and salutes were echoed ail down the bay.

The Ohio party boarded the steamer Resolute and the United States steamer McDowell conveyed Gen. Shatter and his officers of the post and the women of their party to the scene of the festivities. Barges without number, loaded to their utmost capacity, were towed down the bay by powerful tugs aud in and out of the procession steamed the government nigs Governor Markham and Governor Iywin. bearing Gov. Gage and his staff and other State officers. President McKinley arrived at the Union iron works shortly after 10 o’clock. There he found the 3.000 employes assembled in the big yard. The President was greeted with a cheer and was presented a gold plate ui memory of the occasion. He spoke briefly to the men, thauking them for the gift and complimenting them on their skill as workmen. Big «hip Goe* Into the Sex The qfremonies were simple, but significant. There was the formal exchange of acceptance on the part of the government and then, the tide having reached its flood, the word was given. The bottle of California champagne depended from the bow by ribbons of red, whits and blue braided into a rope. At 12:26 sharp Irving M. Scott gave Miss Barber the signal and she touched the magic electrical machine. The guillotine shot downward like a flash and severed the cord. The dog shore toppled over of its own weight and the cleverly constructed system of props caved is like a house of cards. As soon as the launching was over President McKinley boarded the Slocum nnd hastened back to the dock. He was impatient to be once more at the bedside of his sick wife. Without waiting for gaDg plank to be run out he stepped over the roil to the pier, hurried to a carriage in waiting and was driven rapidly to the Scott residence.