The Washington union., 1857-09-24

From the New York Herald Of Tuesday
THE RUSSIAN FRIGATE ABOUT TO BE CON-
sTRUCTED AT NEW YORK INTERESTING GER.
EMoNIEs.
The thirteth anniversary of the birthday of the
Grand Duke Constantine was sgnalized yesterday in
this city by the raising Of the stern post of new
flagship Of the Russian navy, to be built at the
ward Of William H. Webb There were present to
witness the interesting ceremonies peculiar to the
Russian custom the following distinguished gentle
men Baron dc Stoeckl, Russian minister at Washing
ton Captain Shesacof, who is TO be commander Of the
new fngate Captain Schwartz, Captain Wastshenko,
Captain Crown Captain Tfelenfeldt, Lieut. Mazayske
Lieut. Selinekof, Lieut. Belayenetz and Lieut. Kolob-
lin Of the Russian navy Captain Charles H. Marshall
Henry Grinnel esq. Mr. Parrot of the West Point
foundry Mr. VIM Lobach Russian agent Mr. De Mott
BACH Russian consul, and his secretary. Mr. Cokclsky
Samuel Pook, United States naval contractor Hon
Mayor Wood, Hon. John McKeon Hon Edward Cross
well, and other gentlemen Of like note Nine Shesta-
kof and Mime. Metenfedlt were also present
CEREMONY OF RAISING THE srERy rosr
The long massive keel of the proposed vessel has been
for months in the of construction and Is now
Just adjusted on the blocks The end projects several
feet into the water at high tide and around It, leaving
sufficient space to adjust the stern post in its place
platform erected for the accommodation of the spec
taos The stern post lay ready to be hoised into its
place, and about halfpst eleven everything being in
readiness, the ceremonies commenced.
In the absence Of the clergyman Capt Belavenetz ut
tered the Per Nos while the spectators reyerentally
uncovered their heads Baron Stoeckl then placed in the
cavity of the keel silver plate bearing the following in
scrpton in the Russian language;
The seventy gun ship
GRAND ADMIRAL,
Commenced September 2l, 1857 in New York, in the
presence of Baron Soec Russian minister to the United
States, the plan of w II. Webb, American shipbuild
or, of New York
the workmen raised the stern post its place and COM
pleted that part of the ceremony
The process of driving the first bolt then COM
menccd, the builder, Mr. W. IL Webb, giving the first
stroke with the hammer Baron Stoec giving the second
stroke and each of the guests who chose giving stroke
In his turn the workmen finishing the performance.
DESCRIPTION OF rus vessel
The gate is to be called the Grand Admiral after the
title Of the Grand Duke Constantine She is to be the
agshp Of the Russian navy, and is 10 be constructed
perfectly regardless of expense with the sole aim of
cellence, Her dimensions are to be 325 feet extreme
length, J5 feet BREADTH and 36 feet depth She is to be
built of whiteoak frame, her principal mbers of live
oak The keel is the largest that has been laid in
New York, and is of white oak The timbers of un-
usual length, and have been in of collection by
Mr. Webb for the last three years The contract for the
ship has been in existence since 1858, when it
cluded by Mr. Webb during his visit to st Petesburgh
The foundation which the keel lis laid owing to the
vast weight of the vessel has occupied month in
construction, and forms slight portion of the work.
The frgatc will be steamer with two engines, and
the design to attain greater speed than any other
vessel in the world Her strength is to be great
mechanical skill produce In addition to her massive,
solid timbers she is to have iron straps running diagonal
E fore and aft the outsidean entirely feature in
shpbulding The engines and furniture of the ship
to be of the most costly description though the contracts
have not yet been given out. The furniture crockery,
plate and adomens to be in the most costly style
of regal splendor 1t is estimated that million
OF dollars will be expended on her aside from her arma
ment The entire arrangements under the control
of Mr. w. H. Webb, who has contracted to have the ship
launched in 1885, and finished ready to sail in the spring
of 1859 She is the third ship constructed for the Rus
sian navy in the United States
Mr.. Webb is also building for the Russian government
corvette propele of ten guns destined for service at
the Russian ports in the Pacific The dimensions
length, 220 feet width 81 feet and depth, Is
feet She win be provided with two oscllating engines
from the Novelty Works. Of 300-horse power and three
feet stroke with cylinders 81 inches in diameter Her
construction will be very strong She will have light
draught of only l3 IL feet to enable her to ea
ly among the waters Of the Russian Pacific ports The
vessel (which will be full Hgged will probably be ready
for launching early next year. Though the dimensions
of the Grand Admiral hardly larger than those of the
Niagara, Mr.. Webb expresses his confidence that her
pacity will be somewhat greater, and to use his
modest expression he will make her model of Ameri
can shipbnildng For some peculiar reason more de-
tailed description Of the interior arrangements of the ship
is withheld The original proposition about five years
ago for the building of this vessel provided for three
tiers Of guns, but Mr. Webb at that time advised the
adoption of plan for only two tiers, and this has finally
been settled The guns disposed in similar man.
the Merrmac, Wabash and other war-vessels
Gently added to the American navy The engines, two
in number, will have stroke of feet inches, with
cylinders about 81 inches in diameter The vessel will
be full rugged In giving the contract for this vessel to
of citizens it the design of the Russian gov
eminent to obtain ship which should be model of
strength, symmetry and all other desirable features in
naval architecture, and complete in all the detail of its
equipments splendid cabin will be fitted up for the
use of the Grand Admiral of Russia,
BREAKFAST AT CLARENDON.
The ceremonies being concluded the guests by invita-
ton of Baron Stoecll, adjourned to deae at the Ca
rendon which Messrs Kerner and Birch the propretors
served in recherche STYLE usual The centre of the table
was ornamented with peculiarly Dutch-looking craft
built of sugara specimen of the naval architecture of
flags and floated in sweet of confectionery.
Due justice having been done to the edibes and drink
ables the comfort and enjoyment of all being greatly
enhanced by the courteous hospitality of Baron Stoec
the following oasts proposed and drank with all the
honors
The Emperor of Russia.
The President of the United States
The Grand Duke Constantine. ....
The Grand Admiral
Capt Shestakoff proposed the health of Baron Stoec
Baron Stocck stated that he should not make speech
as that part of diplomacy he would propose the
health OF Mayor Wood, of the city of New York.
Mayor Wood said that, following the example of his IL
ustrios predecessors he should not nct them with
speech but would return his sincere thanks for this
pliment He would say that it afforded him much pleas
have been present to-day and meet with them He
had doubt that the vessel in whose honor ii might be
said they had assembled would meet the expectations of
is builder which he knew to be very high and the con-