The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-04-17
Or whom witnessed the erhibIlion which shall at.

lomac should the wind and weather prove lasoiaolei
au unusual degree OF interest In the state OF HE
weather was apparent among all grades and all class
in the metropolis on Saturday morning and al
though the patched gardens and flower plats were
thirsty for ras, and by those enveloped in The dust
and ashes OF Pennsyya avenue rain had long been
most earnestly desired and longed for yet when the
misis of the morning lighted up unvelng the sun in
all bis glory, there but few who did not rejoice
at the assurance of fair day. And when a!terward
a light breeze sprung up from the Southwark, and
fulfilled the remaining condition upon which the
periments were TO depend, the whole population was
IN Midget Of satisfaction and impatienne-every
body in every place. from the halls Of Congress ard
the Executive Departments down TO the boarding
house kitchens and boot blacks cellars, hurry
ing through the business of the morning TO an
early dinner and sight Of the bioio up. BY half.
st three the city began to pour forth its popua-
.iop and every avenue and thoroughiare lead
ing toward the Navy Yard was filled with the din
aud dust Of crowded vehicles dashing rapidly as
if for a wager horsemen with every variety Of i'll
curvettiDg gracefully along,
His sharp ear pointed, and each ready nerve
Ooedient to Whisper
down to the spawned cart horse which, freed from
lis accustomed labor, scrambling by guided by
negro boy with halter, and going as if the entire
blow up depended upon his getting there in time.
The way -sides and every by.pah across the fields
filed with molly throng. Here group Of NJ
Cs each trudging Iesoluteiy on saving his hackhre,
and getting thorough sweat to boot and there
bevy of housemaids leading little children who seem
scarcely able TO pick up heir weary feet
IL was very near the time appointed for the grand
event when We reached the bank Of the river, and
came in sight of the 'doomed ship" She was
moored the channel Of the river point about
equi-distant from the Arsenal and Navy Yard about
hundred yards from the shore, and where the river
or branch is something than half mile broad.
poplar grove on a point OF land upon the oppo-
site shore aud nearly abreast of the ship point
ed out to US the spot where Mr.. Colt was posted
with his apparatus.
l he ship appeared to be of some four or five hun
dred tons burden, was fully rugged, with her sails
set and moored stern to the wind, that her sails
stood tuH She was of good model had been
Gently painted black, with white waist and ports
and looked bri ht and smooth. She had set, the
fore main, and mizen topsais, main topgalan,sail.
jib and flying jlb. Her hung in the braii,.-
She had broad red pennant hoisted at the msin and
the American ensign at the mizen peak. TO an un-
practiced eye there nothing in the appearance
of the gallant old ship to indicate that he was
seaworlby
The land along the northern shore Of the branch
being very much broken and indented, the immense
concourse Of spectators were divided into different
groups hidden from each other that the coup dell
was not as striking and animated as il would other
wise have been. Still the effect of the whole scene
was very fine from the bluff point nearest the ship.
Above, at half a miles distance, is the Navy Yard
with its immense ship houses, its fine grounds, bar
racks, &C. and the tell nagsttf from which the
and stripes float on the evening breeze Below, at
an equal distance, we have fine view Of the Ar
senal and other public buildings Grecnleafs Point,
and of the broad and noble river beyond. But the
the stately old ship with her canvass swelling and her
flags daily ing with the breeze, as il she were mpa-
tient to be under way on her eyentfu voyages while
from her deck was heard the pipe Of the boatswain,
and her crew were seen skipping about in obedience
to ITS shrili requirements, completing the work OF
preparation. At about five O'Clock a steamer was
seen rounding the point and entering the branch de.
cora,ed with flags The President Of the United
States was on board her. accompanied by several
members Of his Cabinet and other distinguished per-
sonages The usual honors to the President as Com
mander. in chief Of the Army and NAVY, were paid
by salute from the Navy Yard as the steamer came
10, short distance below the ship. Curiosity and
expectation now became intense, and scarce sound
arose from the vas. multitude, every eve being riy
eted TO the fated ship, watching each movem snt on
board and near her. At this moment proluded bya
low rushing sound in the direction Of tie Navy Yard
there rose suddenly from the river in that quarters
huge pyramid Of foam, which, bursting threw up
from ITS centre white column Of water to an mere
dible height, where radiating, il fell back in thou
sand streams which dividing into spray as they fell
produced psttering shower over a large space
around. Never, perhaps, did the evening sun light
up, and crown with mimic rainbows, a Jet d,au so
grand and beautiful.
As this part Of the exhibition was not distinctly
promised in the biA it took every one by sunrise
and on that account afforded more pleasure than if
bad been expected and watched for This first e,-
plosion was by general consent considered the pre-
cursor oil the grand experiment and so it seemed to
be, Tor directly after, the ships forca all was let faH
and trimmed TO the wind the American ensign was
hauled down small boat was seen to drop from
alongside and to remain stationary under the counter
Of the ship, with one man in her, and oars peaked
ready for sudden pull And now the hands are seen
clustered on the quarterback unmoorng. long
sbrill pipe is heard from the boalswains call, and
slowly the o5edient ship is to move ahead The
breeze fresben', and she gathers way. Now sh.
moves steadily and more rapidly on toward the small
buoy which Is just visible couple Of hundred ward,
ahead Of her. On, on she comes, and seems almost
At the fatal spot and yet her little crew olus.
terlng upon The quarter-deck How intense |. The