Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-07-21
From the United States Gazette.
The Launch of t.ae ship Pennsylvania.

From the United States Gazette.
The Launch of the Ship Pemnsylvania.
Never did more pleasant day dawn for fete than
opened upon hundreds Of thousands who yesterday
| morning were expecting the launch of the u. States
ship Pennsylvania. The public and private houses Of
the cities and Liberties, were crowded with visiters
ANXIOUS to witness the interesting event-and the cars
double trains of which from New York and arr
we'd about noon, crowded with passengers passing
| on towards the Navy Yard.
The SHIP-The affairs in and around the great ship
had been admirably arranged, that all in read
ness that could be prepared before the day of launch
ing. The ways upon which she 10 slide, had been
laid with massy tnbers and secured with braces pro-
poronate in size and number the purpose for which
they prepared The cradle fitted To the
bends OF the ship with admirable precision; and the
long wedges with which she to be eased from the
numerous shores, which she rested placed in
proper position receive the well dealt blows that
were to send them home their proper positiou-aud
men lay along the cradle ready spring the signal
that call them action. All the shores $50
denonated those large posts placed against the outside
OF the ship keep her from falling either side
were removed, that could be taken away with safety
and ropes were applied TO the others to keep them from
falling upon the workmen, when they should be knock
ed away Within the ratings of the water, and in
the rear of the figure head, fastened chair
for the convenience of the officer who was to chrsten
the ship
THE PEoPLE.-Those who worship the people, could
yesterday their idol in all its gory--boh in mum
bers and appearance. At an early hour, say before
o'clock, persons vending their way from all
points OF the compass, towards the Navy Yard Tho
day had been designated a holyday; and the deter
minaon was evident TO keep it as such Those who
arrived first took possession OF the corners III the
wharves that projected into the river, the Navy
Yard, and sat perched upon cogn of vantage for
upwards Of seven hours, having the benefit Of hot
sum- and the especial advantage of the reflection of its
heat from the water.
Before 10 o'clock, the of people, old and
young, male and female, pouring along the street
ike the of many tides :" carriages, omnbuses
and sidewalks were crowded; and as lhe people reach
I'll IaN'
filling the wharves crowding the shipping climbing
the roofs of houses and stores, and holding by oists
piles of lumber or any elevated spot that gave
chance OF looking inches his neighbors head
that the time and place for six foot Sta
gngs, with convenient seats had been prepared above
and below the Navy Yard; and these were soon crowd
ed, nj dollar From the stern of the Pennsy
vana, about half hour before launching, looked
along the shores, and by knowing that on a staging
erected bv Messrs Nolen Co., there about 200
persons, could Judge something of the numbers
scattered or rather crowded at all points, and command
ing the best view of the ship the great house
tanning il. We should estimate the number at 100000,
counting the immense host that thronged the Jersey
shore, directly opposite. Some gentlemen gave much
higher estimate one, much lower
The wharf Immediately above the Navy Yard was
thronged that il looked like great OF human
heads moving and fro, with few hundred parasols
to keep off the sun, and occasionally put out eye.
Below the ship temporary staging had been erected
for the convenience of the families of the workmen.-
This well filed; and the long building in which
are made and kept the spars, was filled with ladies'
The roof crowded with male visitors.
THE RvER--The sight of the river from the ship
nexpressiby fine. Ships were anchored in semi
circular position from oil the Navy Yard, in line de
sgnaed by the authorizes and their circles were dou
bled treblcd before o'clock, by every species at
craft from the largest sized ships the smallest cock
boat The number of ships steamers and other vessels
of size, was upwards of two hundred; while boats,
barges skis canoes, &c. &c thronged the arena, in
numbers without number. All the vessels were crowd
ed with company, and the steamboats,, with their pre-
cious reighs, seemed to in the ifinstinct
with life.
their young athletic crews seen sweeping into the
of water, and passing rapidly down, in file, with
their coors flying These, after plying with the rapid
ity and grace of birds Ia the shore and the
crews of some Of them were mustered on projecting
wharves each side oi the ship.
AT ten minutes past o'clock. y. NJ. the striking Of
tie flag upon the ship house and the discharge Of two
cannon gave notice that the launch near, and the
boats within the prescribed circle must depart. At
every boat shot of from the prescribed area and
took stands IN the crowd Of navigation.
At that moment the scene ndescribably elegant.
One could scarcely fail to imagine that he stood
oponthe rivage and behela
\ city the inconslant pillows dancing
For appeared that fleet maesticaL
The LAUNCH.-The noise of heavy hammers and
the occasional trembling of the mighty fabric which
stood. gave notice that the event Tor which many
waiting almost in breathless expectation, at
hand. The gallant Commodore Biddle took his station
well filed bottle We had the cusiosity look the
pieces Of writing accompanying cac-onc certi.
cate that tie of the bottle good old Penn
sylyania Whskey, distilled in ls9 by George kremsr,
Of Union county, and presented tor this OCCASION by T.
Hart Esq. The other a wine bottle somewhat dis.
nguished by the dust and mould Of the crypt the cert
fcatc fully expressing is excellent quality. II bore
IL the word CADwALLADER
Lieutenant Richie, who was the first in command,
marshalled the passengers amounting 10 upwards Of
300 amidshps where ropes stretched across and
the busy toll below went on, dealing ruin to blocks and
siays of every kind-suddenly there n pause. At
length there arose loud hurrah from below. The
PENSsYLyASA settled slightly To her cradle, aud NOV
ed maicscaly forward to the sound Of national music
from lie German band on deck
As soon rs her keel dipped into the water, Comma.
dore Bidde broke the bottles the head Of old Her
cules and wished success the good ship PENNsYLvA
MA Onward she moved not rapidly, the dip of
her ways was but four and half degrees but smoothly
and gracefully into the Delaware, occupying exactly
~. 55.lO0 seconds IN passing out Of the house.
Never was there more beautiful launch Never
did ship slide from her ways with more beauty and
grace and the eve of every board but especial
N every officer plisened with pleasure.
No sooner was The ship floating on the rverthan
there arose loud hurrahs from wharf 10 wharf-irom
multitude to muliituc-from the shores to the ship
png-and from the shipping the hosts on the Jersey
shores The thousands of boats that had fastened be
yond the line Of ships the signal gun now shot out at
every point aud openng springng into view IKE beau
tul summers sun
Upward and downward, ihwarting AMI convolyed"
savos Of artillery spoke the general pleasure, and