Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-10
THE SWORD FOR DEWEY
1t Has Arrived at the Navy Department
From the Makers.
Description of the Tribute Voted to
the Rear Admiral by
Congress.

The sword of honor voted TO Rear Ad-
mirai George Dewey. the naval hero of
Manila, by Joint resolution of Congress in
June last was received al the Navy De-
partment this morning by Assistant Secre-
tary Allen, from the makers, Tiffany &
Company of New York. ard has been
placed on exhibition in the office of the
Secretary. II was designed by PauIding
Farnham, and is said to be one of the finest
specimens of the swordmaker's art ever
seen in this country. With the exception
of the steel blade, and the body-metaI of
the scabbard, the weapon is composed en-
ureiy of 22-carat gold. The name of the
cruiser Olympia, Admiral Dewey's flagship
and the zodiacal sign for the month of
december, the month of the aduiraIs
birth, are carved on the pomneI Of the
sword. Circling these is a closely woven
wreath OF oak leaves and continuing down
the metal work is a representation of a
gold collar. on the front of which are the
arms OF the Crited States with the blue
Held of the shield in enamel Below them
are the arms of Vermont, the admiraI's ma
tive state, with the motto Freedom and
unity, and the colors of the shield in
enamel Stars decorate the plain part of
the collar, and this part of the hilt ternnin-
ates in narrow band of oak leaves The
grip Is covered with fine shark skin bound
with gold wire and inlaid with gold stars.
The Guard and Scabbard.
The guard is composed of conventional
eagle, terminating a claw clasping the top
the outspread wings forming the guard
proper. The eagle holds in its beak n
laurel wreath
The scabhard is of thin steel damascened
In gold, with sprays of delicate sea plant
nteriaced In the form of a series of car
touches with star in the center of each
while doiphins fill the outer spaces. SPRAYS
OF oak leaves and acorns secure the rings
and trappings of the scabbard; above these
on the face of the scabbard is a raised
monogram in diamonds entwining the let
tiers ''G D. and Immediately under them
are the letters "U. s. N" surrounded nv
sprays OF the sea plant. The ferrule or
lower end of the scabbard. terminates in
entWlned gold dolphins. The sword blade
is damascened with the inscription:
The gift of the nation to Rear Admiral
George Dewey, L. S. N, in memory of the
victory at Manila bay. May /, 1885"
Phoenician gallery representing the
first craft of the navies of the world sup
plies the rest of the ornament on this side
of the blade. On the other side is shown
the flight of the eagles of victory bearing
festoons of laurel to the four quarters Of
the earth.
Belt and Trappfngs.
The mountings of the belt and the trap
pings are the regulation buckles. pierced
slide rings and swivels, all of 22-carat gold
and ornamented with the oak leaves and
acorns.
The bullion tassei and embroidered belt
ing are much superior to those usually EN-
ployed. The steel blade of the sword was
specially made at the government arsenal
at Springfield.
The box containing the sword is of white
oak. inlaid with black velvet. In the CEN
ter of the cover is gold shield surrnount-
ed by an eagle, and inscribed with a single
star, and the words Rear Admiral George
Dewey, L. S. N"
News of the arrival of the sword circu-
lated through the department with great
raPidity, and II became an object of almost
Universal interest. Nearly all the EMPLOYEES
OF the three departments in the great gran
lite building thronged into the Secretary's
office during the day and inspected the pre-
clous offering. They came in such num-
bers that II was necessary to form a line
and let them pass by the glass case con-
tanning the sword in single file. Although
not yet settled, it is more than probable
thai the sword will remain in the possess
sion of the Navy Department until Admiral
Dewey returns TO this country and takes
personal charge of it,