The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-17
The U. D. Dry Dock, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
tiOn OF Plate to Mr.. McAIpine, chief En-


which IL now all but mplsted, and Of which william
j. McAlpine. Esq has been chief engineer, from its
In 1872 to the present time The object
OF their meetings was to present him. his reno
val, with service Of plate, token Of esteem for
his SKILL energy, scientific attsnments untripg perss
verance and complete success which they have wit
messed for so many years There several gentle
men present as spectators, who were not connected
with the yard and several ladies The officers present
were, Captain Sands, U. 8. NJ Lieutenant Glesson u
NJ; Mr. Brady master Of the Navy Yard Charles b.
Stuart Esq chief engineer Of the Dry Dock; o. Morse
Esq, assistant engineer Mr. Andrew Thompson master
Of the lsborers; Mr. Edward Bell, who formerly held
the Office, and Mr. Robert White quarter sster
In the carpenter department. The following CORES
pondencs passed between Mr. Morse, chairman of the
committee Of arrangements, and MIR. Stuart the pre-
BRooxLrS, October Is, IS4o.
Sm-
Of service Of plate to William j. MoAlpine, Esq beg
leave ssk your permission that the ceremony take
(Signed) J. o. MORSE, Chairman, SC.
CHAELEs b. STUART, Esq, Chief Engineer U. S. Dry
DRr Dock OFFICE, U. S. NAVY Yam,
Brooklyn, Oct. 16 1S49.
hasten to acknow the receipt of your note Of
last evening" asking permission to allow the presena
ton of service of plate to w. j. McAlpine, ESD to
take place ct the head Of the Dry Dock and inviting
me to attend the ceremony. 1t affords me much plea
to grant your request, and to assure you that
shall avail myself polite invitation to be present
-. Respectfully, ysur obd,t servant
(Signed) CHAS b. STUART, Chief Engineer.
To J. o. MoRsE, Esq, Chairman, sc.
MIR. Edward Bell called the meeting to order, when
Mr. Robert hite, Quartermsster in the carpenter de-
sa~In behalf of the persons lately employed under
your supervision upon this work. beg leave to proer
you this service of plate testimonial Of their tho
rough appreciation Of your talents engineer and
your worth q man We have, guided by you tor
many years, been enabled to achieve triumph over
obstacles, by many deemed insurmountabe, and to
found and complete structure that will stand
q monument to your fame, and Of which all feel
and driven it back from its bed Deep amid the
reacherous quicksands have you gained
afootiDg, and on this spot, thus wrested from old
ocean reared this work OF surprising durability and
beauty. For the manner in which you have controlled
all the movements Of the forces you have had under
your charge through many years Of toll and ankle
IT, rendering justice to all and melting all
norabe ambition to be useful we beg leave to most hear
tiy thank you We regret that the time for parting
has at length reached us. We but bid you at.
fctonate fare WE'LL and give to the assurance that
We shall ever look with satisacton upon the years
passed with you here and with deep Interest the
brilliant professional career you have so we'll begun
The service Of plate was then presented to Mr. Meal
fitey chased and weighing hfty eight ounces, two sill
pitchers OF the finest shape mould capable Of
gobets Of the same metal. These articles all
UGH admired by the spectators, and we're manufac-
featured by Bah, Tompkins Black, Broadway. The
inscription on the salyer WAS as follows
token Of esteem tor the skill energy and scienti
fc attachments Of William J. Me Alpine, Engineer Of
the United States Dry Dock New York. by the persons
employed thereon who. many years have witnessed
his un,iring perseverance, and complete success"
The inscription on one Of the pitchers was
WILLIAM J. MeALrrsr.
United state. Dry Dock, New York.
under his supervision as
ehi Ss, En ;s,s
On the other pitcher the following:
oncers snd Worlmop on the
O'' s S:ss ;; n ~. s' YORK. s.'''
wlS tsi,i 1 i, ssAas''r'
Oct, 1879.
not time to have done and the dates will be added
MIR. MeALPNE, who seemed much affected, and 60 be
struggling with emotions, replied in the following
NV FEirsps AND Fellow wosKMEy;--The occasion
upon which have been invited to meet you at this
time is TO me wholly unexpected feared that during
the period Of my charge over this work | may a.
times have seemed too rigid and eGacting in the per-
Torrance Of duty But these splendid testimonials Of
regard, and the complimentary address with which
you have bonored me- eylnce that you appreciate and
approve the discipline which-intendd to bear only
the unworthy-does not affect the Industrious and de-
serving. hsny a you have been identified with this
great work in its ipopient stages; while Others, In
the progress and changing character Of the labors,
have been more recently brought into It's ser nee.
Your familiar. faces recall interesting reminiscenoos
and n st pleasing associations, reminding mo OF the
valuable aid which many OF you rendered In the most
perous periods OF tho undertaking and whenever tho
emergency required even the most unsshsOnable
hour with cheerfulness and slscrity. sm happy and
proud TO say that / have received from you all the
most active, ardent and skilful cooperation. I
free 20 confess that had been surrounded by who
felt lees interest and devotion 10 the work
evils would have occurred endsngerng the OF
the undertaking In professional experience u over
twenty yeers, have never kuown so large assem-
bsge 81 woIkmen combining more skil With energy OF
purpose than have been here collected. This massive
fabric will often remind you OF the tells and difficulties
through which you have struggled and will be
duriIg evidence Of your vigilance assduity and xiii.
There magnificent gifts will remain TO and to my
chdr the anectonate memorial. Of your frerdshp
and will often recall the remembrance Of the most
agreeable and proudest days OF my lite. Your sym.
patty has toftened the profound regret which must
n.csssarily feel at leaving the oharg. Of work TO
which for many years have devoted every faculty
of my mind with all the energy could command.
warmly rcciprocste your friendship and sincerity,
thank you for your sympathy and your beautiful pre-
tents and venture Go hope that the associations which
interrupted may be renewed and the fare ~el
which now cay TO you all may be but porsry My
frierds you have my hearty and anectionsts Wilkes
I for your health and happiness and prosperity.
MIR. ANuBtw TuoMrsoN, master If the lsborers, then
said:-Lsdies and gentl. men ~ customary in an
c.nt times 70 raise obesks and umsnts for king
and heroes MIR McAlpine has here built his own
monument, which will Transmit his name to ages yet
unborn. loud cheers)
The ceremony being thus concluded, the officers and
other gentlemen shook MIR. McAlpine warmly by the
hand and the meeting then separated. Every one
pressed his admiration Of work that the grestest OF
I Its Mind In the world.