Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1910 — WARSHIP FLORIDA PLUNGES INTO SEA [ARTICLE]

WARSHIP FLORIDA PLUNGES INTO SEA

Greatest Dreadnought of Navies Glides into the Water. <#* CHRISTENED BY MISS FLEMING Naval Officers in Brilliant Uniform* and 10,000 Jackies in Holiday Attire Add Luster to the Impressive Occasion. New York, May 13.—The greatest Dreadnought of the world's navies, the battleship Florida, launched at the Brooklyn navy yard in the presence of many distinguished men, public officials, and a mighty throng of citizens. Awe-inspiring in size and silent might, one of the mightiest war engines conceived by man plunged into the waters of Wallabout bay amid a storm of cheers. ? c Two great platforms were erected close to the Florida s bow to accommodate the 500 notables present. On the principal stand were Secretary of the Navy Meyer. Assistant Secretary Beekman Winthrop, Albert W. Gilchrist.' governor of Florida, with his staff; Governor Hughes and staff, Admiral George Dewey, and Rear Admirals Evans Sperry, Schroeder, Wainwright, Potter. and Luetzl, the last named being the commandant of the navy yard. Miss Elizabeth Leger Fleming, the daughter of a former governor of Florida. christened the new’ battleship. As the huge craft struck the water Miss Fleming, to the strains of the national anthem, broke a bottle of champagne over the iron hull of the ship’s ram and exclaimed: “I name thee Florida.” The navy yard was in gala attire. All the ships and buildings were decorated with streamers and bunting. Bands from the battleship fleet, which was present, were stationed about the new sea-fighter. Ten thousand jackies in holiday attire stood at attention on the w harves and hundreds of naval officers attired in their brilliant uniforms completed the gathering.