The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-11-08
Zeal against your enemy; s your triuinphs,
peace & prosperity are certain.
NEw-YoRE, October 81.
GRAND LAUNCH.

GRAND LAUNCH.
On Saturday morning, Is minutes before 9
o'clock, the Steam Battery FULTON THE
FIRST, was launched into her destined ele-
tnent, from the ship-yard of Messrs. Adam
and Noah Brown, at Manhattan Island, on
the East River in this city. The tile was
fall, and the preparations Of the workmen
were so complete, that few minutes before
the appointed hour she started on her ways,
and moved handsomely into the water, with
out any accident but some personal INJURY
co one OF two Of the wcrkincn, from the fall
ing of some timber.
The spectacle exhibited on this occasion,
was one of the NEST magnificent and inter. st
ing ever Witnessed in this city or country.
Commodore Lewis's hotlla were dressed in
colors and moorcd in line across the river
east of the yard, The Steam Boats Fulton
& Paragon, with select companies Oh hoard
and the FREELY and Horse Boat Williams
bnrgh, with their decks covered ~;it pas
s>ngers, wsre on the river, and large nim
her Of other vessels and boats, amounting e
upwards of two hundred, were prcses't. L G
\ ncighboring docks. shores, houses, &c. were
covered with people; and the Whole num-
eer OF spectators was vsriouslv estimated, to
amount from ten to fifteen Thousand. The
<overnos's Gaurds, and a detachment of
the city artillery, attended the launch, and
contributed to the hoHors of the day.
On her reaching the water, the first gun
was fired l>y the Fulton, and followed by a
salute from the guu-boats, and artillery on
shore, ana fen-1ejdc from the infantry.
The different SECTIONS of the multitude rent
the air with their repeated acclamations and
when captain Porter Commander of the Bat
tery) made his appearance, he was hauled
with 8 cheers FROM the water parties, as
was Commodore Decatur on passing in his
barge.
The Fulton entered the water under the
Rag of the United States, and an emtlemat-
&c standard, representing the genius of Amer
lea Standing securely amidst the destruction
Of her maritime enemies by explosion and
confiagration from our lharbor defences, under
the memorable inscription of Free Trade
AID Sailors Rights" A band of music was
launched in her, and responded to the patri-
otto airs from the shore, and boats in the vici-
nity.
His Exceilency the Governor with the va
rious military and naval Commanders and
officers in this district, the Committee of De-
fence, and a large number of the most res
respectable characters in the city, witnessed
the impor amt occurrence aad a tuil pro-
portion of ladies of fashion and distinction
Sraced the occasion with their presence.
The weather was remarkably fine for the
season, and the t2Ht ensemble o The scene,
on the harbor and surrounding shores, was
animating and superb almost beyond descrip-
ton.
The construction of this formidable en-
gine of defence, Ga frigate or floating battery,
moved by steam, armed and defended at all
prints for offensive and defensive warfare,
has, so far, reflected much credit on the in
genuity aud diligence of the gentlemen who
have planned aud built 1t and the doubts o.
SNch 40 have not been sangaiie in their coa-
captions Q. It's ethciency against SHIPS of war,
are dissiPStsd as the NsorK progresses to-
wards its completion. Nor can any person
I'VE presume, examine the FUL TON thorough
~ AMI iu,liCioasly, without feeling a conviction
Of the confidence and SeCutit" TO be derived
iro such. an Instrument of destruction against
any force which may be found in calms OF
light winds, At any time within eur sounds,
onys, or harbcrs. Her cannon, we under
stand, viii be thrty-two Founders, with car
rcnpdes or gnnnades (or short pieces) OF
nearly or qUire double that callibrc and am
PIE defence against boarding, as we'll as iuju-
~ TO her machinery from an enemy's shot,
IS provided Her machinery and armament
are in great forwardness, and will Sc com
pleted with all possible dispatch and 4 crew
is recruiting under the heroic PoRTER,
from which every thing .ofthe gallant * dar-
ing Achievements of our skilful and hardy
seanen may be expected.
The Fuit0, is the first vessel or battery of
! her kind ever constructed. and if her oppor-
tunity shall display her potency with half the
success wh;ch has crowned the steamboat
experiments of col Fulton, his fame as an
engineer and mechanician will be greatly
enhanced, and an Improvement III the art
Of naval defence be effected, beyond all the
boosted experiments of the old world, which
will form an era in the fabrication of marine
batteries, and perpetuate the memory of its
Inventor, to the latest annals of maritime war
fare. Cotltm5ian
We are informed that the anchor made
use of to bring up the Steam Frigate was
taken from the British brig Dispatch. She
left it behind her, in her hurry to escape,
at the memorable attack on Stonngton.
MIR. .fdU.