Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-17
THE kEARsAnaE FINISHED.
How II Was Bnilt and How Furnished-Pr
gram for Reunion Week Aboard Of Her.

THE KEARSARGE FINISHED.
How II Was Bnilt and How Furnished-Pro-
gram for Reunion Week Aboard Of Her.
The Kearsarge erected on the White Lot for
naval and marine corps reunions, Is about COM
pleted and will be formally put in commission
on Monday. September 49, She has been the
attraction Of Grand Army Place from the be-
ginning, and the interest in her has grown
the vessel has taken on symmetry Of outline
and completion Of hull When Maj. w. H.
Michael proposed his plan no one supposed
that he contemplated building an exact model
Of the old Kearsarge, but he has accomplished
what he set out to do, and the query is
Eow DID he DO IT?
Maj. Michael had a friend in Senator Mander-
son, who knew what that gentleman had accom-
plished in the same line in his own state. The
Senator told the story of NeDrsska's naval feet
on wheels in his own inimitable way to the act
ing secretary of the navy, Mr.. Solely, and to
Naval Constructors Wilson and Hichborn. With
the cooperation of these gentlemen the success
OF the novel scheme was assured. Fortified
with letters from the acting secretary to the
commandments OF the navy yards at Norfolk and
Washington Maj. Michael procured the masts.
yards and rigging of the old Ossipee at the
former place and began work the 29th day
Of August The frame work was built of strong
Virginia pine and was erected to conform to
the shape OF the vessel according to the
plans. drawings and specifications furnished by
the Navy Depar tment. The molds used to bring
out her exact lines were drawn and made by
Shipbuilder Barker Of the Washington navy
yard, and were placed in position under his
careful supervision. The molds used were
exact to the wuer line If. they had been
made for seagoing vessel With this exact
meas In shaping her the remaining work was
comparatively easy, although rendered more or
less perplexing by reason OF the small sum OF
money allowed by the committee. The spar
deck is of two-inch pine and the inner lining of
her sides above that deck il of inch pine
The masts ARE bolted to massive tim
Ders stepped in boxes sunk Fix feet in the
ground. Masts were never more firmly set
than these and they would break before a wind
could blow them over. The rigging is of the
strongest kind and is placed and ''rattled down"
precisely as on any seagoing bark-rigged ves-
sci. Everything from stem to stern is built
strongly as braces and nails could make it.
Some few of the minor appointments of the old
vessel, such As matches and the like. left off
pnrposely III order To make room for sittings.
promenades and dancing. The deck is marked.
however. to show The location and size OF the
matches and trucks OF the swivel guns.
Two breech-loading guns point ont OF the
forward ports, which will be used for suuting
purposes and 20 fire down the easIgn at sun
down. 1T was first Thought that wooden guns
OF the same pattern and size used on the old
vessel would be mounted. bat il found
that this would take up room that would be
needed for reunion purposes and it was aban-
doned. The port holes and dead lights are the
same as in the Cd Kearsarso. Ii fact, ali the
openings are the same.
THE CABIN.
The cabin is lG by 10 feet and ia nicely fin
ished. The walls in imitation of paint and
the ceiling is covered and decora ted ardsomely
with new flags. Around the walls are models of
vessels representing the old and now navy.
Pictures OF naval vessels and naval heroes are
placed here and there to make the effect
intensely naval, unique and interesting. The
model of finely drawn vessel stands on q table
on pedestals, with basin one inch deep nicely
adj listed for cut flowers. Three models of war
vessels OF elaborate design are artisticglly dis
played and form most interesting object lessons
to those not accustomed to seeing such artisan
ship. Ato3e her he cabin is a study and pleas
ant object to behold. The cabin is supplied
with stewards room. a pantry and two toilet
rooms. all well appointed and furnished. The
furnishings of the cabin substantial and
elegant from the carpet to the bric- a-brac. The
furnishings in silver are really handsome and
appropriate. All of the silver has the PANE
kearsarge engraved on it, and a mos. beautiful
souvenir spoon, showing the Kearsarge in the
bowl and Maj. Michaels face on the handle.
Will Ue sOiO III PRICES AS n souvenir
OF the reunion and of the Kearsarge. large
number have already been ordered by the
naval veterans and Others. Dir. Parker, the
photographer. has been given the exclusive
right to photograph the vessel By the reunion
committee, and part of the profits on the
sales will so toward paying the expense of en-
Pertaining the people who attend the receptions
and are entertained aboard the vessel
On the spar deck the section of the rudder
post of the old kearsarge. which received and
held shell from the Alabama, may be seen,
and is really an object of interest even to the
men and officers who were in the former vessel
when the shell was lodged there. 1t has been
said that the original shell had been surrepti-
tiously extracted while the section WIS on
exhibition at the New Orleans exy osition in
1884. but this story lacks confirmation.
1t is the program should President Harrison
be able to attend the eIcampment for him 10 go
aboard in company with the Secretary of the
Navy, when the yards will be manned n sight
few people have ever will ever witness. In
the event Of the Presidents absen.e the Vice
President will so aboard in company with the
Secretary of the Navy. when the same honors
will be shown. The Secretary OF the Navy has
promised that he will visit the vessel and in
spect it and make few remarks to the old
naval and marine veterans, who will thus have
opportunity to greet him cordially and en-
Enthusiastically. The Marine Band will furnish
music aboard the Vessel at some Of the re-
unions.
PROGRAM OF THE WEEK.
The following program has been arranged
and will be carried out as nearly as possible:
MONDAY.
10 O'Clock q. m.-"An hands, shake hands
aboard ship.
sp. m.-Addresses by Joseph Smolinski and
others.
South Atlantic squadron day-10 o'clock a.
M, addresses by Commodore B. S. Osborn and
Admiral VIM. d. Wells.
Sp. m, IAN hands" spin yarns and look at
fireworks
WEDNESDAY.
Kearsarge and marine corps day, presided
over by Hubert Winslow, son Of Commodore
Winslow, who commanded Kearsarge when she
fought the Alabama-10:SO, address by Pay
master Smith, U. S. N, who was in the fight,
and by Hon. Charles Cornley Of Philadelphia.
Marine corps, presided over by Col. Hey
wood Of the U. s. marine corps-9 p.m., ad-
dress by Capt. II. s. Collum of the U. s. marine
corps.
North Atlantic and Mississippi squadron day
1890 am, address by Hon. Charles A. Bou-
telle, NJ. C.
Mississippi suuadrOn presded over nv Rear