The New York herald., 1863-10-30


The Names OF Our Vesscls-of. Wharf.-The
Daisies and Growers.
Among the many strange and absurd things
which have occurred in American naval affairs
since Mr.. Welles was called to preside over their
destinies is the manner in which our vessels
have been named, some of them bearing such
uncouth and unpronounceable cognomens as to
entirely puzzle Jack and the public in general.
The FIRST batch Of vessels built at the COM
mencement of the rebellion were twenty-seven
gunboats, each bearing an Indian name, the
name being taken from town whose locality
was near the place where the vessel was built.
These names did pretty we'll; but Jack could
not for long time get some Of them so that
he could report them properly to the officer of
the deck. An instance occurs to US where the
quartermaster Of q certain ship could not pro-
nounce the name of the gunboat Wissahickon
rightly; but, SO as to make it an easy one, they
called her the Widow Higgins; and to the
present time she goes by that name throughout
the navy. Next come the new sloops-of-war
of the Tuscarora class. These were appropri-
ately named after rivers of some note. Then
of the purchased and captured vessels, but
few Of their original names have been changed,
and to day we have more than one vessel in
the navy which bears the name Of some promi-
nent rebel. It is true some of them were cap
tured. We have the Beauregard, General Pill
low, General Bragg, Little Rebel and dozen
more. In this way we are perpetuating tho
names of these traitors to their country.
Iron-clads and double-enders next en-
gross the attention of the Bureau of Con-
and 10! the poor Indian; he is again called
upon to furnish the required number. Many Of
these are really difficult to pronounce, and
others are somewhat ridiculous when pro-
nounced. For instance, We have the sassa-
Gus, Mohongo, Kickapoo, Neosho, Miantono-
moh, Monadnock, Keokuk, Nipsic, Yantic; and
these are not by. any means the most i'll favored
enes of the new vessels. Then come the tugs:
Tulips, Daisies, Pansies, Daffodils, Dandslions,
Carnations In fact one would be led to think
that Mr.. Welles had lain all bis days on bed of
roses, and from q botanical work called the
names for his feet of tugboats Just think Of
Daisy towing frigate called the Shorter, or
Dandelion carrying dispatches, or Tulip
buoying out harbor under fire. The idea is
full of sweet perfume; but the sailor prefers
the scent of tar or saltpetre. 1t seems when
Mr.. Welles was tired Of the Indian he went into
flowers; but where he will bring up no one
knows He is now naming vessels after places
where we have had naval engagements. We
now have Grand Gulf, Vicksburg and q Fort
jackson. Why should ship be named after q
fort? Was It ever heard of before? The truth
is, very little pains are taken or care mani
tested in naming our naval vessels.
When the Keokuk was being built the Navy
Department gave her name which we will not
now repeat. A Russian officer, then in this city,
when he heard the name was Mortified. "That
word" said he, "ln my language, Is the name
Of something know you would not give to
ship" The Department was informed of the
fact, and poor Indian furnished the name for
the ship after the first one had been officially
announced by Mr.. Welles. We quote this to
show how careless even high officials, on bed
Of roses, can be and will be sometimes, if they
are not watched carefully and warned Is their
errors.
~ Wouiu uuvo uCOu ucttcI w nave uhuCu OuI
vessels after our States, capitals cities, towns,
mountains, rivers and battle fields; and in this
way each class of vessel could have been recog-
nized by her name. We cannot see the impro-
prioty Of having named some of our vessels after
the Presidents. If they were worthy TO occupy
that place Of powerfully not perpetuate their
names The battle fields OF the Revolution, of
the war of 1912, and with Mexico, would have
furnished scores of names for our ships; and In
support Of our proposition or argument we
have precedents for fhis manner Of naming YES.
sells. But in the present method no system Is
manifest, and we shall ere long regret that our
vessels are sailing under such unpleasant
names. The names of the late battle fields of
France are borne by her finest ships. Solferino
and Magenta will ever live in history on land,
and by sea as long as the ships doat that bear
these names. Why then should not those on
which We gained our independence be thus re-
memberedf
The Secretary Of the Navy has some strange
fancies; but we never imagined that he had
such love for the poor Indian until he began
to name the vessels after him. II is too bad,
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