The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-11-30
YORKTOWN.
CEREMONIES FOR LAUNCHING THE
FANNIE II. STEWART" AND HOW
THE GALLANT CRAFT REFUSED
TO "TAKE WATER"
interesting "Reminiscences Of Former
ana Latter Yorktown.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispa,ch.I

Ship-buiding NJ 1orktoWn Tor the iasl
hundred years has been an unknown occu-
nation, and consequently the notice that
the launch Of the Fannie II. Stewart would
take place al that historic port on the 2Stl
attracted many spectators. Although the
day was cold and dismal, with snow.
storm in progress, II did not deter the
sight-sccrs from coming, for OF all objects
. ship probably excites the most universal
INTEREST AND ADMIRATION.
The graceful flow OF lines which shape
the well-proportioncd hull, and the raking,
symmetric spars, winged with snowy can
vas, coupled with the poetic mystery that
baunts everything pertaining to the I'M
known ocean. give to that wanderer OF the
dcep a charm that none can resist. The
strength and beauty embodied in the con-
sfructiou Of ship has always seemed TO me
the highest combination OF human genius
and skill, equally adapted n she Is to light
~ stem fhc tropic wave and WOO with roy
ais set The summer breeze; and stripped to
the defiant nudity-close-reefed topsail-to
breast the fury OF the polar gale. Magnifi-
cent, too, Is the sight when, at the launch,
the noble fabric plunges "like thing OF
life" into her native element.
THE STEWART
Is tbree-masted centre-board schooner.
I22 feet hong, "a feet beam, and II
feet deep. She was completely spared
and rugged on the stocks, and presented Il
fine specimen OF light-draught coasting
model; cost $50, 600 one fourth less than
she could have been built for in New York.
The keel OF another vessel, Of equal
dimensions, has been laid, but will be
DAi "a nd Loft 1
there. An effort was made TO secure land
for permanent ship-yard, but the price
was considered too high by the parties. so
the project fell through.
AT II NJ. everything being ready,
THE SIGNAL WAS GIVEN
and the "dog-shore" knocked away.
Brave men and fair women thronged
the decks Of the gallant craft that lay deck
ed in all the glory Of her country's flag,
while Miss s., the amphltrite OF the Occa-
sion. stood ready to perform the dedication
al tic decisive moment. But no response
answered the expectations Of the eager
crew. Instead OF gliding obediently away,
the vessel seemed rooted TO the spot. VAN
efforts were made To start her, until at
length the inclement storm drove the stout
est from the deck, and the attempt was
finally abandoned 10 be renewed on the
morrow, IL Is 10 be hoped with better sue
cess.
Such az event naturally set one to think
Inc OF
F0RNTR ruEs,
whom .he ships OF Great Britain irequented
the Congratulated docks, and The commerce
Of the Colony centred in the borough Of
York. Few, indeed, who visit it stop TO
consider, or are even aware TO what degree
OF commercial importance the sleepy little
town OF to-day once attained A tri-week-
E steamer from Baltimore and Norfolk,
New York and Boston, ships touching for
pilot up the river, and an occasional wood
schooner is all that Is left to remind one
that when the now great seaports were
scarcely in embryo the imports of the
country passed through its cuStom-hOuse.
II was settled about 1890, and a glance at
the early Nos. Of the Virginia Gazette
shows it, prosperity as 4 port, and at 1854
Its trade was still considerable. At the be-
ginning Of the Revolution, however. Nor
folk had become the most flourishinS port
in Virginia.
YORKTOWN.
The ignorance displayed by visitors at
the Centennial concerning Yorktown and
Is associations was distressing indeed,
many having but vague notion that
Washington overcame the English some
where, and that was probably the place.
The bleakest OF towns, it IL built on a bluff
overlooking the river, and has only one
street proper. The celebrated Nelson
House, with two or three old buildings
QelicS OF the days gone by), the court
house. and several frame buildings OF
modern date, constitute the main features
OF the place apart from the Notifications
The Nelson House. like all colonial resi-
dences, is an imposing brick structure,
three stories high, and faces the river, its
eastern walls still bearing the marks OF
patriot cannon-shot. The grounds, though
devastated by war, and after century OF
neglectiul peace, retain evidences OF former
wealth and taste. \ short distance up the
street is the old Macaulay building,
TIE FIRST CUsT0N-HOUsE
ever established in the country. from which
New York importers, strange a. il NAV
seem, received their goods. The great
seal, now in possession OF gentleman in
williamsburg, represents a full-rigged
ship, with the Borough OF York" en-
graved around il. He relates the follow
ing anecdote OF those prosperous times as
handed down in the family: When ships
arrived from Europe the tobacco consigned
10 them for export was brought from the
various plantations in numerous small YES
sels, and butt OF canary wine, with head
Knocked In and cups hung around it, was
always ready for the refreshment OF the
crews; which probably accounts for the
spiritual taste Of the average Yorker.
About 900 yards below the present
wharyes is
CORSwALLIs's FAMOUS CAVE.
The bluff at that point is about forty feet
high. and composed OF soft, coarse sand
stone. During the Centennial il was
somewhat repaired and an entrance-fee
charged. That CORVALLIS slowed some OF
his goods and chattels there during the
bombardment there is no doubt, but we'll
founded tradition speaks OF il as a place
for the concealment OF smuggled wares i'm
the early days Of the port.
"REMINISCENCES OF THE CENTENNIAL
are plentiful. Midway from Temple farm
stands the large pavilion, which was never
used. 1t cost about $4,000, and is much
worsted by depreciation. Among other
rubbish scattered within Is number OF
mutilated wooden figures OF horses and
riders, intended for scenic display, cost |
ing some thousand dollars, having been
exhibited adyantageously at the Philadel. |
phia Centennial. The tableau was at- |
tempted at Yorktown, but failed, like
every other investment. The proprietor
OF large botel on the grounds expects 70
make fortune out OF his house vet. The
cornerstone OF the proposed monument il
covered with sand, and as ii required one
hundred Years TO lay it. the next century
may possibly behold the Goddess OF liz.
erty' perched on high, serenely contem- J
plating the march Of American liberty.
The ilrst thing that impresses one on ex. ;
animation is the solid construction OF
THE YoTIrIcATIoSs,