Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-10-08
CLEOPATRA'S BARGE.

CLEOPATRA'S BARGE.
The Salem Register contains an amusing
article, translated from French wo.k
published at Genoa, in 1890, by Baron de
Zach, on this elegant and celebrated yes
sci. The scientific author says.
&C will now relate VIVA! once wit
messed on board an American vessel, she
Cleopatra's Barge, which arrived IN the
month of July, 1917, at the port OF Ge,
noa, from Salem. All the city crowded
to see this magnificent palace OF Neptune;
more than 10000 persons had visited IBIS
superb floating palace, and were astonIsh-
ed at its beauty, luxury and magniilcence.
I went among others. The owner was on
board he was gentleman OF fortune OF
Salem, who had amassed great riches da-
ring the late war with Great Britain. He
was brother to the Secretary of the Navy
of the United States. This elegant yes
sci was built for his own amusement, after
his own ideas, upon plan and model new
in very mary respects, and was consl-
dcred the swittest sailer in America. he
had travelled or sailed for his pleasure in
this costly jewel (bYou) that appeared
more the model of cabinet OF curlosltIes,
than real vessel. He bad LETT America
in this charming shell, (coquilel for the
purpose of visiting Europe, and making
the tour of the Mediterranean, and had
already touched at the ports OF Spain,
France. Italy, the Archipelago, Darda-'
nelles, coasts of Asia, Africa, sc. We
have since heard OF the death of this gen.
tleman, short time after his return to
Salem. HIS name was George Crownln-
shieId-he was of German originals an
cestor was Saxon officer, who, having
the misfortune to kill his adversary in
duel, sought refuge in America. he cap
tain o. this beautiful vessel was lively
old gentleman, cousin 10 Mr.. CrownlD-
shield--his 500, young man, was also on
board.
In making some enquiries respecting my
friends and cores ponde1ts in Philadelphia
and Boston, among others mentioned DR..
Bowditch. He is the friend Of our family,
and our neighbor in Salem, replied the old
captain--my son, whom you see there,
was his pupil it is properly he, and not
myself. that Davigates this vessel ques-
ton him, and see if he has proited by his
instructions. | observed 10 this young
in photography, that you cannot fail OF be-
ing we'll acquainted with the science. In
making Gibraltar. what was the error in
your longitude ? The young man replied,
miles. Your calculations were then We
ry correct; how did you keep your ships
account BY chroDometers, and by lunar
observations. You then can ascertain your
longitude by lunar distances I! Here my
young captain, appearing TO be offended
with my question, replied with some
warmth, what | know how 20 calculate
lunar distances oar cook can do that
Your cook Here Mr.. Crowninshield and
the old captain assured NE, that the cook
on board could calculate longitude quite
we'll that bis taste for it frequently led
bin to do it. That is he, said the young
man, pointing 10 negro IT, the after pant
of the vessel, with white apron round
his waist, fowl in one hand, and car
wing knife in the other. Come he,e. John,
said the old captain to bim-thls gentle,
man is surprised that you understand lu-
mar OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES his questions.
asked by what method do you calculate
lunar distances The cook ansT cred, II is
immateriaI-I use sometimes the method
Of MaskeIyne, Lyons, Witcbel or Bow
ditch, but prefer that OF Duntborne, as |
am more accustomed to ii. | could hard
" express my surprise at hearing that
Black fnce answer in such a manner, with
bloody fowl and carving knife in bis
hands. Go, said Mr.. Crownin>hield, lay
aside your fowl, and bring your books and
journal, and show your calculations TO the
gentleman. The cook returned with his
books under bis arms, consisting of Bow
ditcb's Practical Navigator, Maskelyne's |
Requisite Tables, Hu,lon's Logsriihms, |
and the Nautical Almanac, abridged from
The Greenwich edition. saw all The cal
culatons this negro had made on his pas
sage, of latitude, longitude, apparent time,
SC. He replied 10 all my questions with |
admirable precision. not merely in the
phrases OF cook, but in correct nautical
language. This cook had sailed as cabin
boy with Capt. Cook, in his last voyage
round the world, and was acquainted with
several facts relative to the assassination !
of that celebrated navigator al Owhybee,
February, l779. The greatest part of the
seanen on board the barge, said Mr..
Crowninshield, can use the sextant and |
make nautical calculations. Indeed, Mr.. |
G. had with him many instructors. All
Genoa be had taken one acquainted with
lfoJ:.n. ha bod alao IN hnard ipctruc.