Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-11-25
splendid Launch OF the Russian steam
Frisate.


splendid Launch OF the Russian steam
Frisate.
The m magnificent steam frigate Kamschatka, built
for the Emperor of Russia, by William IL. Brown,
Of this city, was launched yesterday at half past
nine o'clock, in the presence Of at least ten thou
sand persons,
As she sat the stocks, she presented noble
appearance. A flag up to the head of her
f,remast, containing her name, "Kamschatka." A
long pennant streamed dauntingly in the wind, from
her main truck and the " star spangled banner"
floated proudly in the breeze from her mizen.
Some thirty or forty persons were on board OF her,
consisting principally of riggers and others who
had to ship the radder after she got into the stream
The whole of the streets from Grand street, and
leading to the ship yard at the head of avenue ID,
were filled with pedestrians, equestrians and car
rages of every description for two hours before the
launch. Omnibusses, hacks, cabs, curricles, whis-
keys, bugges gigs, and deg carts, thronsed the
neghborhood to the number of at least five hundred,
before she was launched.
Every window aad house top in the neighborhoOd
was covered with spectators = man. woman, and
child. The launch Of the Russian steam frgate was
the only topic of conversation at every breakfast Ia
ble-ttat is, at which the Herald was seen. All the
wharves arouxd the place we're swarning with spec
tators. Row-bcats and steam boats in dozens were
lying in the stream, crowded down with gazers.
Oae entire boat load of persons, including all the
handsome ladies in the place, came expressly from
Jersey City to the laurch. And hundreds Of the
most fashionable and lovely ladies Of New York
came from the remotest sections of the city to see
her. And well were they paid for the trouble Of
rising before their usual time and swallowing
hasty and hot breakfast.
Every shed, window and board pile in the yard
was covered with ladies, whilst the gaIlants stood
in the yard around the vessel. At nine precisely,
Mr.. Brown gave the word to commence cutting
away the stern blocks which held her; operation
perforned by two men with heavy chissels and
hammers under her keel; the sharp musical clang of
the hammers began one by enc, after, the
shores and wedges were struck away. The last
block next to the head block had just lost its first
s. linter, when low grunbng sound gave token of
her moving. Stand from UNDER" shouted all
hands. Crash-erash -grine-ur ur-ur-urrssh-
an away she went, upright as dart, canting over
the head block and crashing the packing, and car
rying down the sliding ways, as if they formed part
Of her, until she reached the water. This she took
to like beautiful swan, buoyant and graceful, Gid
ing into it stately, maestically, and witha as easy
and natural though she was I" to the manner
born" Powerful ropes at her sides checked her
slightly or she would probably have rushed over to
the Brooklyn shore. Three times three cheers were
given by the delighted spectators. and then all his
a. quaintances crowded round Mr. Brown to con-
gratulate him on this grand in New York ship
building She never careened or eanted IN irch
from An upright, and brought to in the centre OF
the stream, where her ruddcr, weighing two tons
was towed out to her and shipped
Captain Holdredge, formerly of the George Wash
ington, Capt Palmer, of the Garrick, and numbers
of old sea captains and ship builders, declared it
was the most splendid launch they ever witnessed
in their lives.
The keel Of this noble vessel was laid in April
last, and she has been set up and built in the yard
of the Novelty Works, by Mr.. Brown, in accor-
dance with the models and plans made by Captain
schantz, and Mr.. Pipin, two distinguished Off
GERS in the Russian service in the Russian service,
eminent for their learning and scientific attanments
and exclusively under their superintendence.
The following are her dimensions -