The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-04
From the IT, S. Ga=ette
THE u. s. STEAMER PRINCETON.

The Princeton having been completely finished and
rugged all a-taunto" up the river yesterday,
and anchored in the stream of Chestnut street wharf,
At an early hour numbers Of people gathered along
the wharves, and about nine O'Clock the Princeton
was decorated with string of American flags and
teegraphc signals reaching from the jibboom, across
the trucks Of the masts down to the spanker BOOM.
From the main truck aoated long and graceful pen
dant, the American flag streamed from the peak, and
fore and mzen masts, while the jack displaying only
the stars upon deep blue field, huttcred from its
standard at the howsprt. .sN
AS the day grew older hundreds OF small boats
entered competition with The steamer John Fitch, in
the work of conveying our citizens on board thou
sands of whom awaited themselves of the opporuni-
ty of viewing this magnificent specimen Of successful
ingenuity. Moved by the general curiosity and not
little desrous OF seeing the internal arrangements
of the dark, share, and saucy looking craft which
rested quietly upon the waters, we edged our way
with difficulty first to place board Of the steam
boat and then to place on board of the war steamer
whose decks we found to be crowded from stem to
stern" with multitude of people who were busy in
the work of admiration of the strange sights and
ticles successfully presented to their vision. One
party was busy in the inspection of the boarding
pixies Hastily arranged around the tsothers were
deep in the investigation, and loud in admiration Of
the pinnacle, with its highly polished brass lamps
and the compasses supported upon Auted and carved
columns Of black walnut.
The huge guns were not on board, but many fair
the deck, as if there was danger in touching that
which was only 10 bear the terrible instrument OF
destruction. Many eye, used to such things wan
dered aloft amid the rigging. marking the aunty sit
of every part, and the neatness with which the sal
lors had furled the canvassso nicely handed" in
deed that but little of the bunt' was visible along
the yarns
The tler too was worthy the expressions in its IA
vor. Two wheels placed about yard apart, con-
nected by bar, upon the centre of which is fixed an
T., ,lo into Apf nf uho~l
hxed to the crank of the rudder, constitutes the
steerage power and even hasty glance, shows that
the power obtained must be great and that too, with
much ease tA
Descending from the spar deck TO the berth deck
we found crowd Of ladies and gentlemen similarly
engaged with those above. Around the misc nmast
is disposed magnificent sdeboard, half of which
stands in the Captains cabin. and the other half in
the wardroom, the difference between the two being
marked by damask curtain neatly fringed and play
ing upon thick gilt rod In the stern is neatly dis
posed beautiful service of China, the left of
which the open door Of the stewards pantry gave
view Of curiously arranged collection OF cups, sau-
GERS plates, and twenty other different articles quite
as pretty as they are indispensable. On the right
and left of the stern disposed two sdeboards with
snow white polish, relieved by bands of gold, upon
which rest sundry beautiful specimens of cut glass
and silver The berths in the foS oil sofas,
softly cushioned and covered with drab damask
richly figured. Each compartment or state room is
divided from that next to it by curtain, and ano-
her hangs in front which may be pushed out dis
tapce of foot more at pleasure, so that the limits
Of comfortable little apartment may be increased
during the time required for sleep, diminished dur
ing the day when increased space becomes Of value
The upholstery is remarkably neat, and the effect OF
the cabins when viewed whole is remarkably
fine rejecting much credit upon the designer and
those who realised the INCEPTION We should have
said that in descending the stairs from the upper 10
the lower deck, were struck with the neatness
with which number OF boarding knives an pistols
were arranged around the combngs Of the matches
while the hatchwsys themselves were surmounted
by kind Of canopy OF strong brass rods over which
cover may be thrown in case Of bad weather.
The arrangement for the accommodation of the
forward officers comfortable, and the sailors and
marines swing their hammocks from the waist Of the
Ship forward to the space reserved for the forward
officers.
We could not get glimpse of the engine for the
crowd which poured down to view il was too gaca
to permit us 10 make one of it.
In every point Of view the Princeton is noble and
beautiful vessel, evideDcipg, even in the minues
parts the hand Of skill directed by cultivated taste
with view TO adorn elegant appearance what j:
intended for effective service.
The arrangements made for the purpose Of con
veyIng those persons who desire her. appear
be the best that can be suggested, to prevent toe
great crowd on board the ship, and to afford sat
isfactory visit TO those who go on board We
thorized to say that the ship will remain al her pre-
sent anchorage for several days, and long enough
give opportunity TO all those who wish TO visi
her. The steam ferry boat will leave Walnut stree
wharf at 9 Ia o'clock, A. NJ, with 100 passengers
and will make trip every half hour with the sans
number until O'Clock, p. M