 Three attempts to sabotage the ship were discovered in 1904 . On 31 March , rivets on the keel plates were found bored through . On 14 September , a 1 ⅜ in ( 3 @.@ 5 cm ) bolt was found driven into the launching way , where it protruded some 5 in ( 11 cm ) . Shortly after the Connecticut was launched on 29 September , a hole 1 in ( 2 @.@ 5 cm ) in diameter was discovered drilled through a ⅝ in ( 1 @.@ 6 cm ) steel keel plate . The ship 's watertight compartments and pumps prevented her from sinking , and all damage was repaired . The incidents prompted the Navy to post armed guards at the shipyard , and an overnight watch was kept by a Navy tug manned by Marines who had orders to shoot to kill any unauthorized person attempting to approach the ship . 
