The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-05-31

the benefit of his country as when II
attached his name to the bond abov
| referred ito, All honor TO him.
The vessel was constructed and pu
into commission and started on he
way south, but not fully paid for by the
| government, as proof still remained for
contract requirements. On the 9Th OF
March, 1862, was the darkest day OF the
war of the rebellion when thf, d5eaded
| Merrimac came out from hi aair at
Norfolk and sunk the Cunb fland and
the Congress, practically raised the
blockade at Hampton Roads, and
caused a gloom like black pail to
hang over the land.
But what a change on the next morn
ing, the memorable 9,bday of-March,
1852, when the dread4 monster again
made her appearancgto complete the
work of destruction. Then it was she
met this unexpected, despised, and to
them, humorous lttle foe, Goliah had
met his David. Ne know the story
and when the rrow of the Merrimac
was finally turied toward Norfolk af-
terward her dfeat, and the news was
| flashed over he land, the beginning of
the end of tie war could be reasonably
inferred, To- new hope came to the loyal
| hearts ofsthe country ray of Hight
came from the gloom, stimulating the
nation to renewed activity. Men
rushed to the ranks to defend the right
full supremacy of our flag, and the
wealth of our people was poured into
our treasury for a vigorous prosecution
Of the war to glorious termination.
After this battle of the Monitor and
Merrimac, the navies of the world had
TIC be at once rebuilt on new lines, the
old defences became obsolete, and the
vast development of ornaments and
the stimulus given to the production
and working of iron and steel may be
truly dated from the battle on the 9th
of March, 1862, between the Monitor and
Merrimac, at Hampton Roads, Va.
The Monitor foundered in a gale off
Cape Hatteras on December 81, 1852, on
her way 10 Charleston, s. c. How un-
fortunate-what priceless relic she
would be to-day, being the link between
the old and new navies of the world.
To John Ericsson's talent and plans
of the vessel we owe a debt of graft
tude, but his drawings of the vessel
were of no practical value until anoth-
er more bold and resourceful appeared
who pushed 10 effectiveness the ideas Of
his mind
Although forty-four years have
passed since that memorable battle,
and books and magazines and writings
innumerable have appeared in print in
relation to this vessel and her con
struction, very few have really known
the full truthful story of facts and who
the man really was 10 whom we are in
debted for the building of this initial
and then invincible vessel whose first
encounter marks an epoch in naval con-
struction
FOR thirty-seven years the true story
was a hidden history to all but very
few, and until it was fully brought to
light and compiled'in book form by the
efforts of the Cornelius S. Bushnell Ma
tional Memorial association. This asso-
citation was organized In New Haven in
1899 for the purpose for which we are
assembled to-day The committee
found in their endeavor to collect funds
that very little was known of .he mer-
its Of our appeal The state Of Con-
necticut took the initiative, and con-
tributed five thousand dollars: the bal
ance of five thousand dollars was sub
scrlbed by those who realized a neglect
n n My pt s.ptf 81.
time. About a year ago and after
about ten thousand dollars had been
subscribed and collected, the committee
approved a design and entered into
contract with Herbert Adams, sculptor.
of New York, for it's construction. The
City Of New Haven cheerfully assigned
this beautiful spot at the junction Of
Derby avenue and Chapel street for its
erection To the executive officers of
the Cornelius s. Bushnell National Me-
mortal association is due great credit
for their long, patient and arduous la
bors which are happily crowned with
success to-day.
In monarchical Countries, one who
performed such a service as Mr. Bush
nell did, would have received royal ia
vors and have conspicuous place In a
hall of fame. He should have been the
ward of the nation from the day of the
construction of this ship, until the day
of his death, Let us congratulate our
selves that we have not allowed a
longer time to elapse to do him honor.
Although we failed to appreciate him
fully while he lived, we, the citizens of
New Haven, have made amends for our
seeming Indifference to his services. and
have bent our energies In erecting this
work of art that will for future years
be a reminder TO ALL of the patriotic
and the resourceful ability of one man
who came forward to supply a require
ment in the greatest trial of our coun-
try's history. He was
"Divinely gifted man
Whose life In low estate began.
And on a simple village green,
Who makes by force his merits known,
To mold mighty states decree
And shapes the whispers of the
Throne"
The record of who was the moving
spirit in the Monitors construction is
nos now lost; 1t is preserved IN granite
and bronze to be read by future gene
rations, and as the years roll on, ara
We leave 1t to their care and protection.
FROM MR.. WINCHELLs ADDRESS.
Following Is a portion of the tribute
of j. Rice Winchell, collector Of Gus
toms of the port Of New Haven, which
is a part of the printed volume issued
ilnder tho a,lentces of thn Pushpeu Ma