The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-21
Building ofthe Madison.

II was now the autumn. The leaves had
turned and the early trosts begun, and the
nuts were falling. The woods abOundcd
with squirrels gathering nuts for the win
ter, and the landscape was bathcd m the
tender hues of October. In the distance.
through the trees, the blue waters of Lake
Erie were seen, and perhaps "a sail of the
encmy's fleet. II was all most interesting
10 the young apprentice lad, and he himself
ran forward with enthusiasm 20 be among
those who struck the blows that felled the
first timbers for the new man-Oi-war. ON
the llth of October the first tree was fclled;
the date is important in view of the time Oc-
cupicd i'm completing the ship. The ships
keel and frame timhers were shaped as fast
as the trees fell. and drawn by many yokes
Of oxen 90 the place where the ship was
%. Doe launched when completed. Then
planks had 10 Dee sawn to lay over her tim
ncrs inside and out, forming what is called
the skin. To fastcn all these timbers and
plauks. iron bolts aud wooden pins called
trpcnails or trunnels had % be provided.
and thus. while one set of men were labor
ng day and night on the timbcrs. others
were engaged i'm preparing the laStenings.
and the sound OF the forge and the anvil
rang through the forest. Captain EckIord
was everywhere. watching and directing.
still another set of men were busy shaping
the masts and spdrs for the ship. by no
means the least important part of the ell
tcrprise.
When the keel and timbers were ready
Jacks master found his true position in the
building of the ship. and Jack helped 10 lay
the keel. Fun Of patriotic fire. he hummed
90 himself and looked forward Ia getting his
masters permission % find berth Oh board.
and Doe i'm her first battle.
Never before since the world began had
such activity been shown la building ship.
Around the ship-yard at night lanterns were
hung and bOntire- were burned. throwing a
GLOW far over the scene, 10y which tine work
men could continue M their labOrs. Even
be.ore the planking was all fixed to the
sides, sheers, or upright cranes. composed
Of two large spars attached 10 the upper end
Ikea great inverted y. were raised, and
the masts were lifted into their places; and
while the shipwrights were still busy finish
iug the matches and decks, the riggers tOoh
hold. hoisted the yards 10 the sings, and
fixed the parrcls and halyards. Then came
the caulker- and painters, and While the
former with their mallets beat Olkum into
the seams and paid them with Ditch, the
painters were alOft vanishing. slushing.
and painting the spars. Then came the
sailmakcrs sitting on the ground in sheds
and sewing with palm and needle with the
industry Of beavers. The men who were 10
hoistcd the new sail, i'm white bundles up to
their proper yards; then they swarmed
along she yards, and bent on the sails.
In the mean time ballast-heayers were
busy slowing ballast i'm the hold 10 keep
the good ship afl0at when launched. The
powder and ball were hOisttd on board, and
provisions. and then tackles were arranged
between the masts and at the main and
fore yard-arms, and the cannon were hOisted
in the air and laid on the gun-deck at their
respective portfolios. They were twenty
four 32-pOund carr1nades, and the new
ship was thus a first-class slOOp OF war, or
corvette. as she carried three masts and
was ship-rigged
The day came when all was ready for the
launch Nothing was left 10 DE done but 10
crease the ways, and have men at hand to
knock away the wedges. CAPTAIN EckfOrd
was there, proud and happy. lie might
well be, for never before had snch a feat
been accomplished in 50 short a time. When
the word was given, the good ship Madison
slid gracefully and easily into the waters of
Lake Erie ON the 10Th day Of November,
1872, being exactly forty-hye days from the
hour when the axe first struck in the forest
al the oaks of which her timbers were built.
cur friend Jack went with her as she
sailed out Of Sacketts llarbOr. He had
worked 80 earnestly and faithfully that his
master released him from his articles Of ap-
premiership. In the battles which followed
he distinguished himself, and when Com
mOdore Perry left the lakes Tor the Allan
tic service Jack followed, and had many
wild adventure and successful cruise on
the high seas i'm the career he had so Gu-
spiciOusly un.-Iarpers Dung People.