The launching of Wisconsin (battleship #9) was a great spectacle for the people of the city of San Francisco, she went down the ways on November 26, 1898 at 9:20 a.m., and there were thousands watching from land and sea. The Italian cruiser Etna stood out in the bay, her officers attending the event, along with several officers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. A cadre of U.S. Navy ships and civilian passenger vessels carrying members of the public who wished to witness the event crowded the bay, in fact it was reported that every water craft in the area had been chartered and was out in the bay near the Union Iron Works.

A unique part of this launching were the flags on the ship, for the first time the flags were not supplied by the government, but hand made by school children from the Irving M. Scott School under the direction of their teacher Mrs. M. H. Mayberry. She suggested that the children, many whose fathers worked at the yard, should make the flags for the ship. The Navy accepted their offer and the flags were made according to the specifications required. Three students, Margaret Duff, Jeanette Draper and Frank Dixon, were chosen to pull the cords and unfurled the colors.

Before the launch the Ode to Wisconsin, written by Clara Iza Price, was read to the gathered crowd;

"Go forth, thou ship with the well-loved name,
The waves of the sea to breast.
Leap out, like a line from a lifebark flung,
To the Billows' waiting crest.

Thy charge "Stand form in the battle frey,"
As firm as the pine-clad hills.
Of the state whose name thou bearest-her boast,
The training of mighty wills.

Stand firm as her shores by the lake waves lashed,
Ice grit as the years roll by,
Flower decked when the sun laughs out in joy,
And the spring birds northward fly.

Go forth as the eagle skims the blue,
Defiant, and brave and free.
A challenge to might, a menace to wrong,
Wherever thy path may be.

Ten thousand hearts with hope leap high,
Wisconsin for thy weal,
Sail fearless, swiftly, proudly forth,
Thou giant armored in steel.

Claim foremost place on history's page,
Thou proof of finite skill.
Forth to the main thou gallant bark,
Man's trust, beneath God's will."

Little Miss Lucille Gage, daughter of the Governor elect of California, was chosen to push the button and launch the ship after which Miss Elizabeth Stephenson, the ship's sponsor, broke a bottle of sparkling wine on the bows and said "I christen thee Wisconsin". The ship gracefully slid down the ways and into the bay to the sounds of steam whistles and a salute from the warships in the bay, including Etna.