The daily gazette. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1874-1883, 1881-04-26
THE FARRAGUT STATUE.

How the Contract for Ii was Award
ed.
There have been harsh criticisms Of
this statue but Mrs. Farragut chose it al
the best representation of her husband
The pedestal or square shaft upon which
the figure stands is about ten feet in
height, and this stands upon a slightly
elevated mound in the centre of Farra-
gut Square. The figure is about eleven
feet In height, cast hollow, and weights
about 5000 pounds. The dress is the I'M
dress uniform of the Navy, the coat but
toned except the two upper ones, and the
sword is worn. The Admiral is represent
ed as standing with his left foot resting
on the top of block, and holding in his
hands telescope glass. A sufficient
quantity of copper was placed in the
bronze to give a lively color to the
statue, but this will become less bright
and shining in few weeks of exposure
to the weather.
The statue faces south,upon pedestal
ten feet six inches high, and a base of
about seven feet square. The latter is of
Maine granite, unpublished. At each .of
the four corners OF the base is four inch
mortar erected on bronze carriage.
These were made of metal from the pro-
pell sr OF the Hartford. Tue metal of the
statue was also obtained from this pro-
peller. The following document has
been placed in metal box, imbedded in
the PEDESTAL
"David Glasgow Farragut, the first
Admiral of the United States Navy, was
born at CampbelPs Station, near Knox
vile, Tenn, on the 9th day of July, 1901.
He was appointed midshipman in the
United States Navy December II, A. d.
1910. he served during the war between
Great Britain and the United States de-
clared A ID 1872, and in the war between
Mexico and the United States, declared
A. d. 1916. He served with great dis
tinction in the defense of the National
bellion, A. ID. 1881 to 1865. He received
successive promotions in recognition of
bis valuable services and on July %, A.
ID. 1906, he was commissioned the first
Admiral of the United States Navy. He
died August IA, A. ID. 1870, at Ports
mouth, New Hampshire after devoting a
lifetime of great honor to the service of
country. A grateful nation now erects
this statue TO his memory. A. ID. 1885,"
Congress, by joint resolution, APP
proved April 10, 1872, instructed the
committees Of the Senate and House of
Representatives on public buildings
ard grounds TO inspect all such models
for colossal statue of the late Admiral
Farsgut as might be presented to them
and select from such models the one
that shoul1, In their Judgment, be the
most faithful likeness. Many competed.
for the honor OF making this statue,
and the committees were unable to
agree. Congress therefore extended
the time which had been set for the SO
lection, but the COMMITTEES were still
unable to agree. Congress then, by a
joint resolution, of April %, 1874,
authorized the Secretary of the Navy
to contract with some suitable and skill.
full sculptor for bronse statue of Ad-
miral FaraRut, as authorized in the
joint resolution of April 16, 1872, and
selection OF the sculptor should be made
by the Secretary Of the Navy, the Gen.
eral OF the Army, and the widow of
dmiral Faragut. These commission
srs so appointed selected as the artist
Winnie Ream of Washington. The
work OF casting was depe under the
of Chief Engineer William b.
Brooks, the Superintendent being
Samuel Geston, and required nine
for completion.
The unwilling ceremonies were In
charge of board consisting Of the fol- |
lowing officers of the navy:-Admiral
David ID. Porter, Vice. Admiral Stephen
O. Rowan, Rear-Admiral John Rod |
gers, Rear.Admiral John s. Worden, |
q. r. p. Rodgers, and |
NJ aster William O. Babcock. The pro-
cession was arranged so rs TO be compos- |
Sd of the crews OF United Sta IS ships, |
. battalion of marines, several compa- |
MES and light battery of United |
States Artillery, and by the District |
The Cadets from the Naval |
at Annapolis also took part
The unwilling ceremo MES as anouncedbe.
gun atel O'Clock and consisted Of prayer
by the Rev. Arthur Brooks;the uncover.
ng of the statue amid the beating OF
irums. the blare of trumpets, the dis
play of an Admirars flag, aud the firing
Of an Admiral's selute of seventeen
guns; an address by the President ac-
,epting the statue; orations by ex.Post-
naster- General Maynard and Senator
Voorhees,; music and the firing of an.
salute. The procession
hen reformed, and after a marching
alute 10 the statue, paraded through
he streets of the capital. Mrs. Farra.
tut accepted several weeks ago an in-
1itation from the President and Mrs.
Garfield to be guest at the White
House during the ceremonies attending
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