Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-12-21

lected as the place for the building OF
the vessel to arouse an interest in oul
navy in the people of what was in
those days the west, who saw no neces-
sity for coast protection
When the vessel was completed. Mrs
Semple said. the builders waited until
the snow began to melt in the noun
tains before they could make their
plans for launching In February the
snow began to melt the river was I'M
usually high, and on Washington
birthday, 1887, the ship was launched.
AS the vessel slipped down below the
bridge into the river it was dashed to
two smaller vessels. The one held the
crew, the other the officers and the
ladies who were their guests Capt.
W. W, Huntley of Louisiana Lieuten-
ant McBlair of Maryland and Lieuten-
ant Reynolds afterward Admiral
Reynolds, were among the officers
aboard. Mrs. Semple and Mrs. Reyn-
Odds were two of the ladies.
Mrs. Semple had been asked to
christen the boat, but said that she had
conscientious scruples against using in
connection with boat either the
words "christen' or "baptize." She
promised, however, to give its name to
the vessel. In the meantime the little
son of the master builder had smashed
bottle of whisky over the side of the
boat as it slid down the ways.
| After leaving Pittsburg the boat was
taken down the river It's final destina-
ton was New Orleans, where it was TO
be fitted out for sea duty
"On the way down." Mrs. SempIe
said, I'VE passed Wheeling, w Va,
and the river was so high that we
could look into the houses as we vent
along. When we were near Cincinnati
small platform was erected on the
PROV of the boat, and taking a bottle
of champagne in my hand, I said as
broke it over the boat: Tn the name
of this great republic, call the ALE
ghany, and to thee, good ship, thy cap
tains and thy sailors, I wish success"
The vessel was taken as far as Mem
phis, where it remained until the sum-
mer, when it was sent to New Orleans.
After being fitted out it was sent to
the Mediterranean. 1--WE were all so
proud Of our first iron ship" Mrs.
Semp1e said, that we had to send her
to Europe to show how fine she was"
While she was mistress of the white
house Mrs. Semple was one of a small
party who witnessed the first subma-
rine explosion in American waters.
The explosion took place in the Poto-
mac near the navy yard at Washing
ton.
One Of the events during her life at
the white house was dinner given uy
President Tyler to Prince de Joinville
In those days, she said in speaking of
it, the only occasions on which ladies
appeared at the white house table were
at the dinners given to the diplomatic
corps and the cabinet officers. Mrs
Semple and her sister were 10th pres
ent at the dinner given to the prince
who was son of Louis Philippe of
France.
The dinner and other attentions
shown to the prince by President Tyler
were in a way intended to make
amends for the lack of attention dur
ing Prince de Joinvilles first visit to
this country, during President Van
Buren's administration. The prince
came to this country to ascertain, if
possible, the truth of a rumor that the
Dauphin of France, son of Marie An
toinette, had been brought to this
country and was still living in De-
troit.
Mrs. Semple was in Paris after
Louis Napoleon's coup d etat. She saw
the crowds, but owing to ill-health
was not able to be present at the cere-
mony of baptism of the young prince
imperial, the son of the emperor and
the beautiful Eugene. Mrs. Semple
said that the Empress Eugene was
greatly beloved by the French people,
and that her emotion at the ceremony
endeared her still more to them. AS
the little Prince Eugene was presented
to the bishop of Paris for baptism by
the first marshal of Frame tears
rained down the mothers face.
From the balcony Of her hoIel Mrs.
Semple saw the brilliantly Illuminated
ballroom in which the ball was given
that same night in honor of the naming
of the young prince, who was destined
to meet so sad fate in Zululand. Fhe
scene was one of the most gorgeous
that could be imagined. every ma
ton of the EARTH said Mrs. Semple,
was represented in those who at
tended Their costumes were magnif-
cent. Suddenly, far off in the dis
lance, came the sound of 'Vive lEm-
pereur' 'Vive PEmpress!' and the i'm
perial guard came in sight. Behind
them came the carriage, with its sides
of glass, so arranged that we could
see the emperor and empress within.
The empress wore the costume she had
worn at the church in the morning
blue silk, with ruffies of lace, caught
with diamonds and a diamond tira."
Mrs. Semple was in Brooklyn at the
outbreak of the civil war. With ..4e
greatest difficulty she made her way TO
Richmond, where she met her father.
Acting upon his advice she went on to
williamsburg, where, through her in
fuence, the first hospital for the con-
federate army was established in the
spring of 1861.
Mrs. Semple opened a school for
girls in Baltimore at the close of the
war and lived here for several years.
When the Louis Home was opened in
Washington William w. Corcoran, the
| founder Of the home, invited her to be-