The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-05-26
Launch Of the Savannah.


1t was announced that this fine frgate, which is
pierced for 81 guns would be launched yesterday
morning at half past eight o'clock. The earlier part
of the morning, until about half-past six was bright
and clear, but about that time the sky was overcast
and continued so until about the time at which it
had been announced the frigate would be launched
AT this time the sun shone out, and the morning
was delightfully."- fine, with nice breeze from the
North West. 1t was probably owing to the previ-
ously unpromisng aspect of the weather that there
were not more spectators present TO witness this
launch, but there was, nevertheless, a large con-
course who had congregated from various portions
of the city. Every available spot in the Navy Yard
on the adjoining docks, the decks and the rigging of
the vessels in the ncghborhood and the docks and
vessels at Coraers Hook, opposite the Navy Yard
were crowded with persons anxious to behold the
wonders that they expected to be performed besides
great number who, in order that they might the
better obtain good sight, had barganed with the
boatmen to take them where they thought the best
possible view was to be obtained Every descrip-
ton of vessel, from the bright, trig, and newly
painted racing boat to the old worn out dingy, was
brought into requisition, and the boatmen doubtless.
reaped pleneous harvest from the many beautiful
ladies' and smartly dressed gentlemen who availed
tual Safety and Jacob Bellhad been engaged to tow
the Savannah in after the launch and were cruising
about to be in readiness; and the launches, and
other boats of the men, ofwar, and those belonging
to the Navy Yard, were manned and rowing about
under the command of their officers as guard
boats" to keep the smaller fry from coming into too
close proximity with the course the launch was ex-
pected to take. At half past eight all were on the
6 and Il.
expected appearance of the Savannah on the water
Nine o'clock and half past, however, passed with
out the signal, that she was ready, being made AT
| few minutes before ten, however, buz was heard
-" there's the flag"-and then the star-spangled
banner holsted AT the top of the she'd and the
moment gun was fired from the Fulton, give
notice she was ready. This Immediately put every
person the "qui rire, and those who had not be
fortunate enough to get in theron rank raised them
| selves on their toes and stretched their necks, anti
cipating her immediate appearance, while the con-
fusion among the small boats was most laughable.-
| Some OF the passengers in them anticipating hea-
| Wy swell, We're urging the boatmen to pull farther
away, and the way in which they ran foul of each
| other was caution. In o:e small boat there was
young man and a girl, apparently his sweetheart,
whom he had had great difficulty in persuading TO
| get in ; and as she now fairly believed that some
thine dreadful was about to happen from the hurry
| in which the boats appeared to be, she threw her
| arms round his neck and shrieked out ooh, vii.
ham, we shall be drowned, ,ce shall do let us get
| out of the boat"
| William we suppose, had not anticipated such
dspavjof her timidity and affection, and being taken
| by surprise nearly went overheard as it was his
hat did fortunately without his head) and drifed
| away, and was furiously knocked about by Me
| other boats, who appeared 10 be trying which of
| them should do il most damage. During the con-
! fusion occasioned by this little incident, and the
! racing after the hat, several aughable incidents
occurred, such as the men catching crabs IN their
| endeavors to give the unlucky hat a stroke with
their oars and then falling backwards and knocking
half a dozen oars into the water, which had To be
rowed after as the tide running pretty strong
at the time In little WHILE however, all was ar
| ranged, and the launch anxousy expected. Seve-
'al false alarms were given, but 1t was not until ten
minutes past ten O'Clock that she seen to move.
| Al that tune, ''she moves, she moves" was the
general cry, anda hearty cheer rent the air Gently
and gracefully did she glide down the inclined
plane, catching from some cause or other, when
about hall way into the water, which for a moment
stopped hcr progross. II was, however, but for n
moment and she immediately resumed her onward
course, and smoothly descended into the wafer
| amldsts the enthusiastic cheers of the assembled
multitude. The check which had been given how
| ever, prevented her from gong 80 far from the dock
, as had been anticipated, and she merely left the
dock about three times her own length behind her
and a warphaving been attached TO her previous ~
| the launch, she was Immediately hauled back from,
| amid the crowd of small boats which immediately
surrounded her where she lay quietly on the water
| without hhe aid of the steamers which had been en-
| gagged for that purpose
We understand that by Yesterday afternoon
| mail, orders received from Washington {,
stop the launch" They reached here about 81!
| hours too late,