Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
OLD SLOOP DALE
TO BE SOLD AS JUNK

The old sioop-Of- Dale. recently 70
christened the Oriole. has been condemned.
and will be sold az Junk 30 the highest bid
der. She has an interesting history. and g.
well known 10 the older residents % the
city through her long service as receivins
ship at the Washington navy yard. Tn
lovely she is now to look at she
once among the best ships 90 the navy.
The Dale was built at Philadelphia 81
1899 and was named after Richard Dale
commodore in the old navy. When launched
she was one Of the crack ships Of the navy
not from point OF armament or strength
but because she was a speedy little ship and
built on handsome lines. Those lines are
now invisible. with her masts unsterpoo
and the high. overlapping house, that makes
her look Hike the ark, built 10y the hrs
shipbuilder. The Dale. almost as soon as
she went into commission. was put iuru
active service. and part OF the feet
that broke up the African slave trade That
trade was little short OF piracy. the traders
principally Portuguese-capturiug negro v.l
lagos and putting every able-bcdled African
in irons below and then bringing them owe.
to the West Indies Tor sale.
Later. during the Mexican war. she was
placed on blockade duty. and when the eiyl
war broke out the same duty was ass. Euai
her. BY that time though The superiority
OF steam to sail power was recognized, and
the Dale and the vessels of her class Wgt.
superseded by steam propelled ships. Then
lronclads and guns Of heavier cali6er cam.
into use, and the Dale was among the haoI,
numbers.
After the war she became training ship
for cadets. and was used in that CluacIt,
untu 1880. when she was ordered Go t..
Washington navy yard as receiving ship
for naval oHlstments. By that time her
mas.s had been uustepped. her houepr.
sawed off short and h~F spar deck houses
over. She STAYED in Washington Teceivue
newly enlisted men. until Size was trans
ferred to Baltimore. ia June. 1N1. Tor Jh-
use Of the Maryland naval brigade.
There is "A torpedo boat destroyer named
after the Dale now. and the title of the oIi
ship has been changed 10 Driule. ON rn.
after bulkhead on the gun dec. of tha 1I5
ship are two wooden tablets Goa the shape
Of shields. one reads:
United States Dale.
Built at Philadelphia 1~,A
Rated Third-class SIOop OF l5 GIGF
Tonnage $50"
On the other tablet Is painted. Richard
Dale. Commodore. United States Navy
Born November 6, 1856 near Norfolk Va
Died February % 1876 ar Philadelphia Pa
lie was first lieutenant Of the Bonhomme
Richard. Commodore Paul Jones when she
captured. after a s3uguiuary action bis
Britannia majesty's frigate Scraps Sep
TENDER -. 1I79, of Flambosough Head
When the boarders Were called away Dale
vas the first man to reach the enemy's deck
and was severely wounded No patriot
should forget the memorable reply Of Paul
Jones TO his foe. when hailed to know II be
had struck his coors:
have not yet begun TO fight
Now the Dale. having. I'm the estimation
of the United States government. passed her
period of usefulness. is condemned TO the
junk pile. The other day a board Of survey
looked her over and decided TO advertise her
for sale for 5000. and II this price h. not
forthcoming she will be lowed 10 the Nor
folk navy yard and broken up.
+ The old hulk Is a valuable acquisition foi
junk. All her planks and timbers are nut
together with copper bolts and all her nit
tings are Of that material They don't use
that kind Of hardware in the ships they
build now.