Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-06-23
Silver Service for Dewey's Flagship.

The silver service designed for Adj
miral Dewey's flagship, the Olym-
pia, The gift of the State of Wash
ington, Is now completed, and will be
presented to the historic vessel on her
return to this country.
The service is commemorative of
victory at Manila, May 1st, 1898. 1t
was manufactured 10y Shrevc & Co.,
OF San Francisco, from original de-
signs whose merit lies not only in
simplicity and grace OF outline, but it
is OF striking artistic conception.
The S. F. Examiner of Sunday gives
an illustration OF the principal pieces
OF the service, which with the accom-
panying description affords fair real
izatlon of its unique beauty. 1t says
the style of the pieces is modelled after
the pattern Of the period of George III.
The decoration of oak leaves and
acorns was selected from number of
competitive designs, upon the advice
of the United States Naval Construct
or who had charge OF building the
Olympia. This border of oak leaves is
an established form of decoration in
naval designing, being symbolical OF
strength. The acorn is an insignia of
rank. Combined with the oak-leaf
border are medallions representing the
seal of the Navy Department, the
American jack and the seal of the
State of Washington, which is repro
duction OF Stuart's portrait OF George
Washington.
"The winged statuette of Victory
intended to commemorate the victory
of May lst was modelled especially for
this service by Douglas Tilden. This
figure is SO arranged that it can be
easily transferred from the top OF the
punch bowl to the center piece. A
handle is provided for the top of the
punch bowl cover to be used when the
figure is not placed thereon; and the
shaft or pedestal upon which the fig
ure stands when secured in the center
piece is removable with the figure and
intended when removed to rest upon
an ebony base, thus forming separately
beautiful ornament, and the center
piece and punch bowl will be complete
without the figure. THIS trophy, SYM
bolical of victory, will have far
greater significance than q reproduce
ton of battle scene, which, no mat
ter how carefully studied out, might
be incorrect and subject to criticism
by those on board the ship in the bat
tie.
aside from the figure of Victory,
the most beautiful piece is the large.
tray inscribed with the name of Ad-
miral Dewey and that of every officer
and member of the crew on board the
ship at the battle of May LIST. This
has four laurel wreaths. within which
the names are engraved, the complete
list, comprising more than 1O,7OO let
tiers, was obtained from the Navy De-
partment.
"1n the matter of designs the ad-
vice OF experienced naval people was
had, and the articles have all been Sc
lected with reference to their practical
use on shipboard. They comprise
punch bowl, tray and ladle, water ket-
tie with tray and stand, coffee pot, tea
pot, cream pitcher and sugar bowl,
three meat dishes, different sizes;
gravy boat and tray, fish platter, two
vegetable dishes, water pitcher and
tray, two loving cups, wine cooler, tu-
reen and ladle, center piece, one pair
of candelabra, having seven lights
each; two compotiers and two serving
trays. To these are added four dozen
cut-glass punch cups, and several
other articles"