The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-24

Splendid Launch ~ the steam Frigate
Niagara.

Splendid Launch 81 the stesua Frigate
Niagara.
The United States sts trigate Niagara was lauachss
from the Brooklyn Navy - ct eleven O'Clock yestsr-
day forenoon The readers Of the HAlD being correctly
informed of the time the launch would take place. thoso
them who desired to witness the spectacle were 90
cordingly hand but sorry say that most a
our contemporaries were, usual about hour and
halt behind tims and the consequence vas thsir PATRONS
were sorely vicmized 1t sad sight 70 witness TIA
disappointment ard chagrn Of the crowds who continued
to hrong the entrance to the Navy Yard for hour and
half after the fun al Our reporter could NOT
help sympathsing with them especially the iadiss It
the time he consoled himself with the rejection
that it his FAULT and that il people would pat
ronize slow coaches they must expect to arrive behind
time
The launch was Of the finest and most successfn
that has taken place in the vicinity Of New York
Not the slightest damage done to the vessel and
easily and smoothly did she giae down into the water
that not the slightest cracking of her tnbsrs could
be heard.
At precisely ten minutes past eleven ocosk she broke
ooe from her fastenngs, began WY to slide down
the ways Guns inmedia ely fred from the North
Carolina near blythe band board the vessel
struck up lively airthe thousands Of spectators in
the vicinity rent the air with cheers and amidst AL these
sounds of rejoicing the majestic vessel like thng Of
~
element and rode triumphantly upon the waves. Her
progress very slow, scarcely faster than ordinary
walk owing her not getting loose from her cradle,
(the whole Of which she took with herr and - she
dipped gradually into the water and separated the float
ing ice which clung about her Sides she med like
huge levahan reluctantly and shiveriugly entering
BATH The impetus slight that she only bout
three times her length Into the stream.
There about seventy five ladies and gentlemen on
hoord fho~o Sbal
been drawn up to the dock bottle Of the Commodore's
best sherry broken upon her bow and she duly
baptised and chrisened by MISS Annie c. ODonnen, Of
New York
At the close Of this ceremony few invited guests
went to the house Of Mr. George Steers and parook
collation.. collation. aso given at the house Of
Commodore Smith to number of distinguished GENTLE
who had attended the launch in charge Of the
mittee of the Democratic Union Club Among them were
Gen. Quitman, Col James L. Orr of South carolna Hon.
Thomas T. Davidson, OF Louisiana, and others. Thsra
also large attendance Of beautiful ladies' and AL
seemed delighted with the spectacle Of the Aunch
well grateful for the hospitality of the Commodore.
The committee with their guests drank to the
of the gae and returned to the St. Nicholas Hotel in
high spirits.
The Niagara is Of the five steam frigates In
process Of construction for the United States Navy He
main dimensions are:-Tonnage, $500; extreme length
Deck 345 feet load line 1913 feet She is to be ship
riggeo mainmast Ill feet long, and feet inches in
diameter yard 65 feet long, and mzen spanker boom
81 feet. Full complement of men 400. Some dea Of her
immense capacity may be formed from the following
schedule Of her mssts and spars, which being
built .stssss ss