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Show SOUTH. DAKOTA LAUNCHED, Armored Cruiser Glides Down tho Ways Into San Francisco Bay. SAN FRANCISCO. July 22. The cruisor South Dakota was launched here today. The South Dakota is a sister ship of the California, whleh waa launched three months ago at the yards of the Union Iron works. The two ships aro almost identical and are the largest war vessels ever launched in a Pacific ocean port. Each represents the latest type of efllciency in 'speed and power. The engines, which arc expected to develop de-velop 23,000 horse-power, will give high speed and great facility In maneuvering maneuver-ing at soa. The coal capacity of the bunkers admits of a radius of operations opera-tions considerably greater, than that of any other war vessel In the navy. The South Dakota is a type of six authorized by Congress at tho same time. Beside the California there are now being constructed In Eastern shipyards ship-yards the Colorado. "West Virginia. Pennsylvania and Maryland. The South Dakota will be fitted up as a flagship and will require a complement comple-ment of officers and men numbering S20 in all The cost of the vessel will be approximately 55,000.000. Including her armament. The launching from her cradle at tho Union Iron works took place at CM0 o'clock this evening. The ceremonies nttendlng tho affair were unusually simple. Rt. Rev. AY. Nichols, bishop of the Episcopal diocese of California, offered of-fered a short prayer and then Miss Grace Herreid, daughter of the Governor Gov-ernor of South Dakota, pressed the button that released the hull of tho youngest American cruiser. As the vessel began to move. Miss Herrelcl swung a bottle of champagne against the hob and bestowed the designated name upon the cruiser. Gov. Herreid of South Dakota and party and a number num-ber of naval officers and distinguished citizens witnessed the launching. |
