The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-15
THE GREAT EVENT
OF THE MONTH
The Christening of the Destroyer
Dale by Miss Wilson.
TO BE AN ENJOYABLE OCCASION.
Speech-Ma!zinS and Bands of Music
to Be Features OF the Pro-
grammc-Governme OH
cials to Be Here.
TG BE AN ENJOYABLE OCCASION.

The launching OF the torpedo-boat de-
stroyer Dale, Tuesday, July z4th will be
an occasion which Will be long remem-
bered, as this will be the first of the
United States var vessels of this class
that bears the name of a Richmond firm
as the builder. While it is true that the
Shubrick. Stockton and the Thornton
will be turned over to the Government
first, the Dale will soon follow.
The Dale is one Of the largest boats now
building at the shipyards Of the William
R. Trigg Company. She is of the most
approved government pattern and IS
calculated to attain a speed unexcelr-.d
by other vessels of the kind now in the
United States Navy.
Miss Mary Hasell Wilson, of Philade!-
pha, daughter of Mr.. Joseph NJ. Will
son, will christen the Dale. Miss Wilson
is pretty and one Of the bellies of the
Quaker City.
The boat is two hundred and forty-fve
feet in length, with a twenty-three foot
beam. The displacement is 420 tons, and
has an indicated horse power Of $3.50,
with an average speed of % knots. The
daring type of Thornycroft boiler is ussd.
There are four boilers and six engines.
Four Of them are triple-expansion engines
and two of them regular engines.
TWO OF SAME NAME.
ne D0aC WHICH MISS W iiSoIl 10 ~
Hh1dsten was named after Commodore
Richard Dale, who was born near Nor
folk Va. November 9Th. 1855.
Another boat which was named in honor
Of Commodore Dale was a wooden sail
ing vessel, still in existence. but unfit
for service. She was built by the govern
ment in Philadelphia in 1899 and is IN the
care of the Baltimore naval militia. sac
is a small craft III feet inches long and
80 feet 10 inches wide and draws II feet
inches of water Her displacement is 6I5
tons.
Miss Wilson is direct descendent of
Commodore Dale, and has been selected
by the Trigg Company as sponsor.
Commodore Richard Dale was iirst lieu
tenant under Paul Jones in the famous
action between the Scraps and the Bon
Homme Richard in 1916. Lieutenant Dale
swung himself over the deck Of the Scraps
and took possession of the prize. He vas
afterwards taken prisoner and remained
some time in England finally escaping.
The mode Of this escape has always peen
a mystery, but it IS supposed that ne was
aided bv the society of Masons
DIED IN PHILADELPHIA.
AT the commencement Of the Revolution
Young Dale was made a lieutenant in the
marine service of Virginia. He was cap
tured by an English vessel and was per-
suaded to join the English side
Receiving a wound, he had time to think
over his conduct, and. repentng, joined the
United States army in lII6.
He was captured, sent to London, and
recaptured after an escape. but got away
and Joined Paul Jones in France. He was
a lieutenant aboard the Bon Homme
Richard. and when she fought the Scraps
he greatly distinguished himself and was
wounded. He was wounded and captured
the fourth time while serving in the True
bull During the Tripolltan war he coh9s
mandcd squadron.
Commodore Dale died in Philadelphia
February "a. 1926.
Miss Wilson'S grandfather on the pa
ternal side is Mr.. w Hasel Wilson, a. ma
tive of Charleston, S. c., still living, IN his
eighty-ninth year, 4 prominent civil en-
gineer and long connected with the Penn
sylvana Railroad Company
WHAT THEY ARE FOR.
Many people wonder what torpedo-boat
destrovers are used for. They are intended
to accompany q naval fleet at sea and de-
fend the fleet from the attacks of torpedo
boats. Owing to the fact that they must
kaep up with the fleet they are made con-
siderably larger than torpedo-bOats- They
can keeg, up with the battleshipa and crus-
zrs and stand any sort of weather. These
boats arc the terrors Of the enemy wltan
hostilities are in progress. and they are
sometimes known to do the most effective
naval nlanOeuVe1rnS.
\ pretty coat OF paint is being put on the
Dale and the boat is, in every way, being
nut in readiness for the interesting occa-
sion OF her launching.
The exercises Will be public. and several
OF the government officials will be here to
witness il
1hcra will probably sc a few speeches
and plenty OF music to enlivcn the occa-
sion.
Active preparations are also being made
for the launching OF tlla Decatur next
month Pretty Miss Maria Ten Eyck De-
catur Mayo, Of Norfolk, will christen the
boa. Sha IS a relative OF Commodore De-
catu., after whom the boat was named.