The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, November 27, 1898, Page 1

The Call to be taken from the Library.++++ This Paper not ! SAN FRANCISCO, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1898—THIRTY-TWO PAGES. PRICE FIVE CENTS. MAJESTIRALLY THE WARRIOR WISIONSIN PLUNGES HER PROW INTO THE PAGHEESS FLOOD Launched by Miss | Gage. Alone, She Guts the Gordian fluttering the Wis Sam at home to | e waters of 1 woman stood sponsor for | the mountain fr little laughing golden-ha child in answer to the elec accepted Then the Wisconsin of life, her duty and started down the i frightened deer. Slowly at first, fair sponsor cast against her el breast the chris wine, say- “I name thee Wi Realiz- | das it | proud fee! forward to yous waves came surg- 1d welcome her, and ous wealth of sun-| Ing, the bat the water, the J; ing up to me out into the g shine, out onto the breast o fathomless deep the armored terror plunged—and the coast line battleship Digoenetn had _been successfully launched from the yards of the Unlon | Iron Works. At the first signs of approaching day the Potrero began to awaken. Yester- day was a great day in the Potrero, for the men who gave to our navy the his- 1aking Oregon were to send forth the same slip on which was built | t historic battleship another m | r creatio of their brawn { i uscie. For nineteen months and fif- days the smoke-begrimed, work the Union Iron uilding tk y had seen pride and tence, and w ppressed the heart of | thought of the part- | ero to a single man, to its oldest gaffer was determined | s natal day should | stillness. work of | y the blocks ship, while others ed around her decks to see that was right and in order. President Irving M. Scott, proud, happy @ ng, was himself early | on the sc He hurried here and| there. He seemed to be everywhere at | once, giving orders and directions. personal supervision was lent to e smallest detal Before the gates were opened Cap Spillane and Lieuten- ain ants Anderson and Hanna arrived with | & small army of police. From be ning to end they kept perfect ¢ handled the 7000 people that mitted within the s rough and efficient manner. Be the thousands that came by In- | was host of curious | ng the water’s edge, while | f every house in the Potrero | ered with people. Every point | vitation there | ceremo | satin facing. | der her big white hat | golden curls fell gracefully seized upon by the crowd.. The small boy climbed everything in sight and balanced himself on its topmost pin- nacle at the risk of life and limb. The frame work of the slip was black with venturesome men and boys. The police kept the crowd from the nich wae to take place the This was gayly bedecked stand on with pa ic bunting. Shortly before the arrival of the guests of honor the Marine band from t Independence arrived and al of saflors and o ing. These we: s in two 1 n's prow drawn es on el s crowd At 8:45 o’clock' the Union fron Works i arrived with the 1 Griffith n contingent and specially in- sts on board. They were es- | corted to the stand by Mr. Scott. First came Miss Elizabeth Stephen- n, with Senator J. L. Mitchell. The r sponsor wore a dream of a gown— a Parisian creation made especially for the occ: on. The skirt was of cadet e broadcloth. The shirt waist was k silk trimmed with duchesse lace, le the jacket was of the same mate- as the skirt, rial velvet and lace applique, with white The exquisite impression n was heightened. in its ef- of the go fect black v graceful whi came Goy hat, rnor-elect Gage and Mrs. Gage, wi their little daughter Lu- cille. She was a perfect wonder of childish beauty in a fluffy little dress of some soft blue material, while from un- her wealth of over her shoulders. Following came Lieutenant Governor Emil Bench of Wisconsin, with the fol- lowing distinguished members of the party from his State, among whom was Govenor Scofie.u’s staff: Isaac Stephenson, Miss Hattie Stephen- Colonel 1. Wat tephenson, Mas- nt Stephenson, Mrs, Joshue Hod- Brown, S. M. Stephen- Miss Harriet Stephenson, henson, Miss Belle Merry- . T. Emerson, Mrs. J. K. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Stephenson ting r age of Califo of Cal res. the State of Wisconsin: California ing, manufacturing, industrial and cheering h and enlarged possibi of the ann of the Hawalian the ine the resuit of hospitable welcome. It is our greatest glory that we waves, constructed by the skill of proud name of the great State of tween the two great States. and our best wishes go with you to State and all you love have peace, latest generation. SO ® ke kK ok ok ok kK ok R ok ok ok kR ok koK ok ok kKRR RR L &k X KRk HH BT ABEREREE LR RN FREAEEEER R R R R R AR AERE TR ERF AL XA RERN GOVERNOR-ELECT GAGE WELCOMES WISCONSIN 1uet last evening at the Palace Hotel ntatives of the Badger State, Governor-elect Henry a made the following response to the toast of the “State ster, Ladies and Gentlemen and Fellow-citizens of ther extension of our territory indomitable courage of our soldiers and sailors in the late war, bids her fellow-citizens from Wisconsin a most cordial and Union; that we share in its achievements “by sea and by land; that its flag is the sacred and common property of all; and that in defense of its honor all are ready to sacrifice fortune and life. The grand battleship that to-day for the first time embraced the reer In defense of the flag and the Union she will be another bond be- Ladles and gentlemen from Wisconsin, we thank you for this visit, given to the distin- with her great agricultural, min- commercial Interests, with her lities for the future in consequence Islands, an accomplished fact; and in the near future, are a part of the indestructible California mechanics, bears the ‘Wisconsin, and in her future ca- your far-off home. May you, youtr prosperity and happiness to the 3k ok ok sk ok sk ok ok sk ok ok ok ok sk ko ok ok sk ok ok kR R R R K X K K K % ok LR S R R SRR R RS R RS T to keep back the trimmed with blue | by the high sable collar and the | from which waved | and black plumes. Next‘ | | | | OF‘THE S EAS SLID ER'oM" THE Wavs. MISS STEPHENSON NAMES THE CHILD. Jr., Miss Nellie Fleisheim, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Carney, Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Good- rich, Mr. and Mrs. A. Goble, Mr. and Mrs. J B an rs. Fred . Willlam Lindsey, Mr.:nd Mrs. Julius Bleyer, Mr. Mrs. C. B. Roberts, 2 | Stebbins, Mr. and Mrs. John Hannan, Mr. |and Mrs. J. C. Koch, Mr. and Mrs. Sey- | mour Holiister, George W. Hanley, Mrs. Ellen C. Sexton, Mrs. Rose Finn, Mrs. JW. P. Lombard, E. P. Hackett, George J. Suarz, Colonel' W. J. Boyle, 'W. A. Ruble, H. A. Campbell, Colonel Stmon J. Murphy, . Fish, Senator Sawyer, Cap- B tain S. n, Miss Erna Olson, C. A. Goodyear, C. B. Raymond, Colonel Wil- liam J. Fair, Miss ynolds, Miss Cora red Swart, T. J. Hatch, Mr. and Mrs. ; C. Blandy | Neacy, Miss Fittemore, Miss S. and Frank Carney. The army was represented by Major General Merriam and his aid, Lieuten- ant Bennett, while Commodore Watson and the officers of the Franklin, Adams | and Wheeling were present on the part | of the American navy. The officers of the Italian cruiser Etna were also among the guests, as were Captains | Sakmo, Sakurai and Wodagaki of the | Japanese navy. Mayor Phelan was present on behalf of the city. There ‘were also the Union Iron Works offi- cials and many swell girls on the stand. Promptly at 9:05 the brief ceremonies began. This consisted of the presenta- tion to the Wisconsin of her colors, which were received by Commodore Watson. About the 26th of October Mrs. M. H. Mayberry, teacher of sewing connected with the manual training department of the Irving M. Scott School, suggest- ed that the children under her charge make a set of colors for the battleship Wisconsin. Her patriotic sentiments were enthusiastically seconded by the principal, Miss M. M. Murphy, and her entire corps of assistants. This work of love and patriotism was|{ begun on the 26th of October of the present year, 1898. The flag and Union Jack are made in accordance with the specifications and rules of the Navy DepaArtment of the United States Government. The flag is 27 feet long by 14 feet wide. The Union Jack is 10 feet 10 inches by 7 feet 9 inches. One hundred and seventy-three yards of bunting were used in the con- struction of these colors. The children engaged in the work of making the colors were from eleven reguiar sewing classes, in all about 300 pupils. The homes of these children are in | { the vicinity of the Union Iron Works, | where they have seen the mighty form of the Wisconsin rising, as it were, out of the sea. The parents of many of them wielded the hammers that sang out the strokes that told of the mighty work their strong and sinewy arms have done for the nation. The furled flag was suspended from the bowsprit. Miss Margaret Duff, Miss Jeanette Draper and Master Frank Dixon, all pupils of the Irving Scott School, held the cords that were to release the colors. These pupils had won this honor by their meritorious work. In presenting the colors Miss Duff addressed Commodore Watson. She said: . S “Hon. Commodore Watson, Repre- sentatives of the Army and Navy, Hon. Irving M. Scott and friends: “The high honor of presenting the colors to the great battleship Wiscon- sin has been accorded to me by the teachers and pupils of the Irving Scott School. “The high honor conferred is en- hanced by the fact that this is the only occasion when pupils of our public schools have made a flag with their own- little hands, gladdened by the thought that the United States Govern- A ment would accept their work. “Through the kindness of Hon. -Irv- ing M. Scott, who has now a world- wide reputation as a promoter and buflder of great battleships, we are per- mitted to offer this token of our love and patriotism. “Our parents have wielded the ham- mers, driven the rivets and otherwise builded this noble ship from keel to turret. Now she is ready to disp:ace the waters of our glorious bay; to greet the sun as she rides triumphantly on her mission of humanity; to demon- strate to all nations of the earth that she, as well as her noble sisters, the Oregon, the Olympia, the Charleston, Monterey and others, great ships built here at the Union Iron Works, can de- fend our nation’s honor and use her power to battle in the cause of hu- manity. H “Go forth, magnificent Wisconsin; dip your nobie bow to-day in the waters of San Francisco Bay; sail fearlessly over the seas; show your magnificent lines in the ports of all the great na- tions of the world. Let your message be one of peace, and instead of a fig- urehead of the God of Battle, let there be emblazoned in words of living light, ‘We come in the name of the living A Wisconsin Belle Her Sponsor. Vast Growd Bids Godspeed to the Ship. - God, for the nation’s honor; we comse. in the cause of humanity.’ “And now, Hon. Commodore Watson, we beg that you accept these colors which we have carefully made accord- ing to the specifications laid down by the Navy Department for the construc- tion of such flags. Three hundred children have put in everv stitch with the utmost care, so I am sure you will find upon examination that our labor has not been in vain. 5 der the guiding hand of our sew- ing teacher, Mrs. M. H. Mayberry of the manual training department of our school, we have worked with patience, with most patriotic' devotion, to crown the work of many of our parents, who have bent their energies to complete this noble ship.” &, hed, A b iengin. has come the bridal day ot beaut. t strength, Toany the vessel shall be launched. With fleecy clouds the sky is blanched. Siowly In ali hls’ splendor's lght y s s The great sun rises o behold the sight. The ocean old, centuries old, Strong as youth, and as uncontrolled Paces restless to and fro Up and down the gands of gold. His beating heart is not at rest, And far and wide with ceaseless flow His beard of snow Heaves with the heaving of his breast, He walts impatient for his bride. There she stands, with her foot upon the sands Decked with flags and streamers gay, In honmor of her marriage day. Her snow white signals fluttering, blending Round her like a vetl descending Ready to be the bride of the gray old sea.”” At the conclusion of the graceful speech Commedore Watson in a few patriotic words accepted the Wis- consin on behalf of her captain. The three children pulled the cords and Old Glory floated on the breeze amid the cheers from the muititude. Then Mayor Phelan read Clara Iza Price's eloquent ode to the battleship pub- lished in yesterday’s issue and the su- preme moment had come. The bottle of wine was lowered from the vessel’'s pr-w by streamers of the national ‘colors. Miss Stephenson grasped it firmly and smiled. Then little Lucille Gage touched the button. Slowly at first, so slow in fact that it scarcely seemed to move at all, the huge ship, snail-like, went forward. “She’s off!” was the cry from the waiting thousands. A soft, firm, sweet voice said, “I christen thee Wisconsin.” There was a crash of glass and the white effervescing wine dampened the iron prow of the mighty vessel and ran in sparkling rivalets down her sides. Forward, like some animal that feels the lash, the Wisconsin leapt, and then with a rush and a roar the largest bat- tleship ever constructed on this coast sped down the incline into the waters of the bay and into history. . PLEASURE CRAFT DOT WATERS OF THE BAY Yachts and Exeursion Steamers Gaily Bedecked Carry Throngs to the Launching. The launching was witnessed from afar by thousands of spectators. The shore line was sharply defined by them, while the adjoining hillsides were also the vantage point from which great throngs viewed the moving spec- tacle. Every class of seagoing craft was represented in the bay about the great shipbuilding yard, from which so many notable fighting machines have been sent forth to do battle under Old Glory. Anchored just off the iron works was a jaunty yacht, the white sides and gay bunting of which showed out in strong relief against the dull, leaden sky. The early morning was cold and cheerless, and those viewing the launching from the bay were all closely muffled in furs and overcoats. . The pleasure boats and those carry- ing excursionists were early on the scene, forming a solld semi-circle about the course over which the battleship was to glide after leaving the ways on ‘which she was built. In addition to the Government boats in the vicinity, all the tugs and available steamers were pressed into service. Dainty racing skiffs scraped noses with stout tugs, while launches, both steam and gaso- line, fiitted about lending life and ac- tion to the color scheme. The most novel of all the craft was a bicycle boat built catamaran fashion and propelled by two men. There was but little delay. So soon as the tide served and the launching party were in their allotted places the signal was given and the huge hulk began to move. To the spectators on the water this movement was scarcely perceptible at first. Soon a shout went up, only to be swallowed in the shriek- ing of steam whistles, punctuated by the booming of cannon. The guns of the Italian cruiser Etna and the Mari- etta belched forth a salute as a wel- come to the latest of Uncle Sam’s fight- ing machines. The Wisconsin went down into the sunless sea as gracefully as a swan. She gained impetus as she advanced and cut through the water like a racing yacht. Usually the large boats cast up a great wave, which tosses the pleasure eraft about and then breaks high on the shore, dampening the enthusiasm of the more venturesome spectators, There was none of this yesterday. After she entered the water a slight swell disturbed the bosom of the bay, leaving its surface as placid as a mill nd. DoAnar the din subsided all eyes were turned on the Wisconsin. Her graceful