Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-09-23

1870 Will SHOW, tlldt AZ tIc IduDCiiiHS VI
the Constitution, the glorious Old Iron-
sides having at that time no figure head
to disfgure her, this pride ofthe Ameri-
can navy stuck fast on her ways, where
she lay embedded, till animal force was
applied to propel her into the ocean.
The proposition to build the Essex
frigate, arose in the autumn Of l79S.
The subscription was filled with alacri-
ty. Col. Hackett was the craftsman.
Mr.. Enos Briggs the master builder.
On the skill of these eminent artists, the
merchants had the utmost confidence,
and that confidence was not misplaced;
for purer model of ship of war, and
one that was built with greater speed,
combined with the most capital work
manship, had not. in those days, bravcd
either the battle or the breeze.
Your humble servant was present at
the office Of the Salem Gazette, when
Mr. Briggs brought in an advertisement
ior proposals for furnishing timber, &C.,
for building. Bigelow, the poet, was
present. Mr.. Gushing, that was the
honored name Of its editor, showed him
the master builders communication, and
tamiliarly tapping him on the shoulder,
said, "Sawney let's have four lines as a
caption" No sooner said than done
In second, in the twinkling Of an eye.
they were written:
Next September is the time
When wen launch her from the strand,
And our cannon load and prime,
With tribute due to Taleyrand.'
That'sa good joke, said Master Briggs.
You have set the time for launching,
whereas |, the builder, have not dared
to do it. But | will be very careful to
see you are not a false prophet. She
,Das launched in September, the last day
of the month, and | shall never forgetit,
because it was the anniversary Of my
fathers birth, and if a man does not
honor his fathers memory so much as
not to remember such an incident, then
he does not keep genealogical tree.
The winter Of 1859 was remarka-
bly, proptious for drawing in the timber
with which she was built. 1t came
chiefly from Danvers, Topsfeld, Bedford
and Andover. 1t was white oak, green,
cut down for the purpose; and the sleds
bearing it were in constant requisition
from November till March, the snow ap-
parently lying without drift on the
ground during the whole period.
The launch of the Essex frigate was
the most beautiful that can be imagined;
at least every body said so. For my
own part, could not so well tell for,
having seen almost every timber put in
to her, was determined to be launched
in her, so as to be enabled to tell, as do
at present, that was first on the water
in the first vessel of war that had seen
in those days of my boyhood.
Cap:. Joseph Waters, an experienced
shipmaster in the merchants service, was
fiscal, and it was generally believed in
Salem that he would be appointed to
command her, as the naval force of the
country was then in its swaddling
clothes, and few post captains in COM
mission. lfmy reccollection serves me,
President Adams made him a tender of
her command, which his domestic con-
Germs forbade him to accept, This /
know, that Capt. Richard Derby, ofthe
navy, was subsequently appointed to her.
Previous to her fitting out. he was trans
ferred to another ship. Commodore
Preble, of Portland, accepted the office
of the secretary, and arrived in Salem.
| have his countenance in my mind, as
though it were yesterday strong fea-
lures, muscular strength and gigantic in
frame.
Com. Preble visited the Essex, and
found fault with some parts other interi-
or construction. Her poit holes did not
suit him, and he had them altered to suit
his own notions. The commodore was
a fiery dog. as every body knows, who
has seen or read of him; but he found
his match. The gun carriages were not
built to his liking. 'Who built the gun
carriages Deacon Could sSend
for Deacon Gould to meet me at the Sun
tavern this evening" Deacon Gould made
his appearance in the same style that
DR.. Franklin met George Ill. What
is your will, captain Preble?' You do
not know how to make gun carriages,
sir What's that you say, captain Pre-
bic 2 mot know how to make gun car
riages z. knew how to make gun car
riages before you was born; and if you
say that word again, will take you a.
cross my knee, and play Master Hack
er with you.'
The commodore found himself in a