Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-10-20
THE LAUNCH


OF the revenue cutler "Polk" yesterday was
most interesting scene. II was lhoIoushy sae
cessful, and we heard some "old salts" say, 'na'
ii was one OF the must beautiful and graceful ea'S
OF The kind they ever witnessed. Al 5 T. NJ
precisely, The vessel was freed from The support
ing blocks, and she slipped along Inc ways
into The stream with ease and beauty. MA
ny OF our citizens, including a number oil our
city bellies, whose names we threatened 10 puohs',
but turbear for the present. were adventurous
enough TO trust themselves on the expedition in'o
a rev ele ment and the graceful vessel was chf's-
tened with boltlc of wine by Miss A. +. X 1 ne
vessel sal upon The water like duck, and pre-
sened her lovely model proudly above the cu;-
REM.
We have no time 10 parlicularize. Suffice il TO
say, that there was crowd present OF from oto
10000, including the Common Council, Inc
Hastings Court, the State and Federal ofncers,
&C. Both banks of the river were fllled WIN
spectators, as also The houses and hills in The VI
cinily and several boats in the stream. II was, in
deed, sublime aud thrilling scene. We stood
near pretty bIack-eyed girl, 1--WE regret we did
not know her y who said her "heart was in her
mouth" from anxiety for the fate Of the advenu-
rers on board But all was soon over, and what
is hest all was well. The volunteer companies
arrived soon after the launch and fred salute.
There were The Henrico Dragons Captain Nc
Rae, The Richmond Dragons, Capt.. Gwynn, a de-
tachment of the Chesterfield Dragons, Captain
Weisiger, The Artillery Captain Ellis, The Blues
Captain G. w. Muntord, and the Greys, Captain
R. G Scott IT. Soon after The launch was over
the Norfolk Steamer "Aice" glided by, with MIR.
Bloomfeld's Old Point Band, playing "A Lille on
the Ocean Wave" The whole party then parlooN
OF liberal collation., provided by MIR. Anderson,
al which we understand many sparkling seni-
ments we're drunk. We regret that we could not
attend The Volunteer Companies then marched
up Main street. enlvened by the delightful notes
OF Mr.. Bloomfeld's Band.
Captain Fraser, the scientific and genllemanly
Head of the Revenue Gutter Bureau, was pre-
sent, and assisted by Captain Henry Hunter, di-
recied the movements, which all succeeded admit
rably
Some time since, We wrote an elaborate de-
scriplon of this fine vessel, which has been pro-
nounced equal, if not superior, TO any OF the kind
in The Union Moreover she is built entirely OF
Virginia iron and other materials, and is w
gina enterprise. We shall, therefore, only refer
here TO few of her dimensions. She is $50 feet
long, % ieei beam, and whole width, including
wheel houses, forty feet. The Constructor is MIR.
J, I'm w. Capes, whose skill is acknowledged by
all. The Engineer is Mr.. VIM. A. LiehIhall,
The inventor of Inc famous "Lighlhail Half
Beam" He invented and constituted The beau.
liinl engines Of The "Pok" al The Tredesar Iron
Works, now conducted by Joseph R. Anderson,
Esq The Contractor There are two engines,
each Of 10 horse power The diameter OF her
wheel is Is feet, and their face six feel The
"Polk," is pierced for twelve guns, but will be
armed with eleven. Her No. is 1923, and it
was indicated by several small flags, arranged
according 10 Rogers & Blacks Signals. These
fags arc mounted at sea, 10 show The No. of The
vessel We understand that The "Polk" will cost
less than any ohrr similar cutter. We did hear.
that she would not exceed $4,000.
Among the flags which ornamented The house
in Mr.. Andersons shp-yard, We saw The Spa
nish flag, and the Meriean which represents an
eagle attached 10 bunch OF The "pricky pear"
with snake in It's mouth.
But we must conclude. The "Polk" is rich
fruit OF. Virginia skill and industry, and we con-
graduate Mr. Anderson upon his perfect success
May This npl be the last Revenue Cutter which
we may have 10 record as being built in our city!
The New Orleans Pcayune denies, upon coed
authority, the rumor current in New Orleans, Iha,
Gen. La Vega had received a letter from AmPu-
dia, s,a,ing tina, Santa Anna, with $4,000 men,
was on his march TO attack Gen. Taylor--break-
ing The armistce.