Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07
THE HARTFORD.

cend the Potomac to this point with safety
on account of their draught. Consequently
it was found necessary to select light
draught vessels the representatives of
the new navy for this occasion.
The assembled fleet consists of Admiral
Farraguts famous flagship Hartford, the
old sloop of war Lancaster, the converted
cruiser Mayfower, the dispatch boat Dol
phin and the Presidents naval yacht Sylph.
These vessels represent widely different
types and different eras. Taken together
they form an unusually interesting collee-
ton, and their presence will undoubtedly
contribute considerably to the success of
the splendid program prepared by the local
managers for tie pleasure and entertain
ment of the grand old boys in blue and the
many thousands of well-wishers who have
come to this city from far and near to do
them honor
There are a large number of seamen on
these five ships, especially on the Hartford
and Lancaster, and they were formed into
three or more battalions in the G.. A. r.
naval parade today. The ships bands on
the Hartford and Lancaster furnished music
for their branch of the marching column
1t has been also arranged that the ships
will be open for the inspection of the pub
lie in the daytime during their stay in this
port 1t Is expected that many Grand
Army men, and many of their friends VINO
are in the city, will take advantage of this
opportunity to visit the en-of-war, espe-
cially the grand old Hartford
Two Torpedo Boats.
In addition to the above mentioned YES
sells there are two war craft of modern
type here, the torpedo boats Rodgers and
Talbot. The engineers on the former have
been engaged for number of weeks eX-
perimenting with oil as fuel at the 18th
street wharf The Secretary of the Navy
authorized the use Of the latter on the rel
erees boat in the Potomac river regatta.
The Gwin was originally assigned
nP a
which is moored in the Washington chan-
mel and the torpedo boats all the war
vessels here are lying at the navy yard.
U. s. s. Hartford.
Because Of the prominent part she played
In the civil war the Hartford Is naturally
the leading figure in the naval display at
washington at this time. The history OF
the Hartford Is a great part OF the naVai
history Of the war of the states. she Is Ia
nous as the flagship Of the immortal Farra-
gut in the great naval engagements at Ne"
orleans, Mobile bay and other places.
The Hartford was built by the govern
ment at the Boston navy yard at total
cost of 500, $50 and was Launched just pe-
fore the civil war began. She was then de-
described as a first-clasS wooden sloop or
2. 800 tons, 225 feet long, "A feet beam, ana
IS feet 6 inches deep. With 1,O24 morse
mower she had a maximum speed OF LOO
knots and an average speed of knots Her
original battery consisted of twenty 9-inch
Dahlgren smooth bores, two PARROT rifles
and two 12-pounders. several 1mp S,,rfne
the war, and in 1864 it consisted of two 100
FOUNDER Parrot rifles, one 3O-pounder Par
rott and eighteen 9-inch Dahlgrens
She went into commission for the hrst
time in January, 1862, with Commander
Richard Wainwright, rather OF Superlnteho-
ent Wainwright of the Naval academy, IN
command. She sailed from Phiiadeiphla
On fLnt r.
ragut boarded her seven days later. She
sailed down the coast, stopping at various
nlaces-Hampton Roads. Port Royal and
Key West-and arrived on the mouth or the
Mississippi February ~
Capture of New Orleans.
The part she took in the capture of New
Orleans is historical The water approach
to the crescent city was defended by two
strong forts on the Mississippi about seven
ty-five miles below the city. AS these forts
were nearly opposite each other, vessels at
tempting to ascend the river were exposed
to tremendous cross fire from heavy guns.
Just below the forts the confederates had
stretched two heavy chain cables across the
river. while above the forts they mad sta
toned fifteen armed vessels including two
ironclads like the Merrmac With these de-
lenses New Orleans defied attack
Capt. Farragut had a fleet of nearly fifty
wooden vessels 1t was considered the most
powerful fleet ever assembled under the
American flag. Farragut's work, with the
aid Of Porter's mortar boats. was to break
through the chains silence the forts, con-
quer the confederate fleet and take the city.
He did 1t after terrific combat lasting
over six days He broke the chains, passed
the forts, destroyed the confederate fleet,
and captured the city April 25. 1862
Farragut's fleet, including the flagship
Hartford next went up the Mississippi, cap
tured Baton Rouge and Natehez, and took
part in the fighting at Vicksburg. For these
services he was made a rear admiral.
Battle Of Mobile Bay.
Capt. Wainwright died on board. the
Hartford, off New Orleans, August 10, 1862,
and Capt. Percival Drayton was in COM
mand of the vessel when Admiral Farra-
gut achieved his memorable victory in Mo-
bile bay, in August, 1864. Stationing him
self in the rigging Of the Hartford, where