New-York tribune., 1899-07-17
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BOYS Build AN OLYMPIA.
A POLICEMAN FINDS A CLEVER PIECE OF WORK
WHILE HUNTING FOR THIEVES.

A POLICEMAN FINDS A CLEVER PIECE OF WORK
WHILE HUNTING FOR THIEVES.
policeman Of the Morrls-ave. station. while
visiting what he thought was den OF young
thieves made discovery which astonished and
surprised him. Instead OF finding a band OF rob-
bers. armed to the teeth he found himself con-
fronted with full rigged man-o war manned by
fourteen boys living In the Borough OF The Bronx.
The oldest OF the boys IL thirteen.
on the top OF a limestone hill on the northwest
corner OF One-hundred nd -fourth-st and Ei-
ton-ave.. there Is OF the curlosites OF the age
IL Is nothing more or less than "A reproduction or
Admiral Dewey's flagship. the famous Olympia.
The work OF building the olympia was begun
month ago, and now flags bunting and streamers
bedeck the vessel in honor OF her completion.
Since the bluecoat OF the Morrisania station house
betrayed the secret OF the boys hundreds or peo-
pie have climbed up the HILL better known as
Gibraltar Heights" TO examine their wonherfui
workmanship. There is no admission fee, and the
only inconvenience the officers and crew complain
of Is the necessity OF keeping a deck watch day
and night for fear OF the vandalism OF relic hunters
The original plan. according to Commander Bans
field was to keep the vessels existence secret
until Admiral Dewey reached New-York when tho
Admiral to be invited TO inspect the miniature
man-o' war This part OF the programme will be
carried on. just the same now II nothing happens
TO the vessel.
The olympia IS eighteen leel IonS TOUT ie'N o'ans
and has a depth OF hold OF six or eight feet. the
boys say At all events. 1t is a fact that as many
as fifteen sailors can be accommodated tween
decks which gives idea Of how commodious the
quarters are. From quantity or galvanized iron
pipe the workmen made guns or cannon. These
they mounted on small wagon wheels, so tnat they
could be turned In any direction
The turrets made OF brick, in one OF wnich
bow chaser is rgged while In the other Is a
similar gun for tho stern The bridge Is built
out OF a number OF large soap boxes, with regu-
lar companionway or ladder attached: SURROUNDS
ing the deck is a railing made out OF stats Ine
masts are made of seasoned wood, ana are tali,
stately and symmetrical. Neither the coming
tower nor the military tops or lookout II Tor
gotten, for they as large as life. The snrouds
are made of small rope, and put In place with re-
markable skill The vessel Is painted white, Wits
the guns are black. The anchor OF Woo -
housed. and everything looks as though the oiym-
p,a was expecting TO be ordered TO sea AT ohce.
Between decks the visitor finds a verltaoe
arsenal There guns, pistols swords ara
cartridges, and many other destructive implements
OF war made out of tin and wood. and everything
is slowed away in shipshape fashion. -
The following are the officers and men: Iom,
mander, Edward Bransheld. twelve years old o.
No 67 East Northumberland fifty fourth 81 nrst
lieutenant Harry Menke. twelve years old, Or NO.
sss EIton-ave.; second lieutenant, Joseph Meyer
eleven years old. OF No. 72l Merose,ave rev Tr,
Joseph Cohen, thirteen years old. or NO 80 f'ons
ave: Paul Gramer, eleven years old, or NO. ~
Cortlandt-ave.: Edward Egbert, eleven years old'
~ No 6I East One hundred nd fifty -fourth.st.
and George Weddekindt eleven years OLD, Oh No
81 Fast ed-and-hfty-fourth-st