The San Francisco Call, 13 May 1900
Retrieved from the California Digital Newspaper Collection web site,
cdnc.ucr.edu/cdnc/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=p&p=home
STEAMSHIP CALIFORNIAN SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED
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Largest Freighter Ever Built Here
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Another Greater Boat to Follow
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WHEN the massive hull of the steamship Californian slipped gracefully last
night from the ways at the Union Iron Works and her keel churned the waters
of the bay the event marked the beginning of a new era in shipping on the
Pacific. It sealed the doom of the fleet of sailing ships that have for so
many years monopolized the trade of the Hawaiian Islands and the clipper
ships from New York.
Ten thousand people witnessed the launching, which was a success from every
point of view. A full moon illuminated the scene, and its radiance brought
out in bold relief the great iron hull of the steamer and the crowds of
eager spectators who lined the beach and occupied every point of vantage.
Hundreds of people were admitted to the grounds and watched the busy
workmen, who swarmed about the steamer and rapidly tore away the shores and
spurs. It was 10:10 p. m. before the foreman announced that all was in
readiness.
To Miss Edith Chesebrough, daughter of A. Chesebrough, vice president of the
American-Hawaiian Steamship Company, was accorded the honor of christening
the largest merchantman ever built on this coast. Surrounded by a bevy of
friends and invited guests, she stood upon a platform erected at the bow.
The conventional bottle of champagne hung by a long blue ribbon from the
bulwarks. E. R. Dimond pressed an electric button. There was a crash of
timbers amidship, the great hull trembled violently and then commenced to
move slowly and gracefully down the ways.
"I christen thee Californian," were the words used by Miss Chesebrough as
she swung the bottle back and broke it full upon the bow.
The crowd cheered and the tugs and vessels in the bay saluted shrilly.
Before the cheering had ceased
the Californian floated at anchor in the bay.
Among the specially invited guests were the following: Rear Admiral and Mrs.
Beardsley, Miss Helen Chesebrough, A. Chesebrough, Captain Benham, Mr. and
Mrs. E. R. Dimond, Horace Platt, Judge W. B. Cope, Mr. and Mrs. Norman
McLaren, Mr. and Mrs. Tatum, Irving M. Scott; Paul Chesebrough, Louis
Rosenthal, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Hamilton, Henry Rosenfeld and Louis Rosenfeld.
The Californian is the pioneer of a line of steamships under construction
for the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company to ply between San Francisco,
Honolulu and New York. Her dimensions are: Length over all, 435 feet; beam,
51 feet; depth, 33 feet; gross tonnage, 6000 tons; dead weight carrying
capacity, 6250 tons; horsepower. 2200; speed 10 1/2 knots. Three steamers of
the same size are now on the ways at Philadelphia. The American will be
launched in thirty days, the Hawaiian a month later and the Oregonian before
the end of the year.
Mr. Dimond announced last night that the keel of a steamer of 11,500 tons
register will be laid in a few days on the ways the Californian has just
left, and another of the same size will be built in the East. The six
steamers will give a monthly service between this port, Honolulu and New
York, only stopping on the Chilean coast for coal.
F. H. Turner, who has been appointed chief officer of the Californian, will
take charge of her at once. Captain J. J. P. Morrison, her master, has not
yet arrived from the East. Chief Engineer Chisholm, formerly of the Senator,
will have charge of her mechanical department.
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