Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-01

STATUE OF WASHINGTON AS
rotunda of the Capitol appropriating
S., go as a payment.
Mr.. Greenough who had been named
in the above resolution, though but tWen-
ty-Seven years old had been engaged as
an artist in Italy, and his work had given
him an exalted place in the world of
art. He was regarded as giving promise
of rising fame to the plane occupied by
Canova and other foreign artists.
1t was with much satisfaction that the
American public had witnessed the rise
of the young sculptor: and he was, there
fore, the choice of the masses.
President Jackson's choice was MI
Greenough. The contract was made, the
artist repairing to Italy and entering
on the work soon after. Here he was
employed till the completion of the work
In 1896, receiving $4,000 therefor.
Marble Groups Provided.
BY the act of March 3. 1887. marble
groups were ordered for the bookings on
the east front Mr. Greenough and Per-
sico were engaged on these for several
years. The former executed the figures
known as the Triumph Of Civilization
pioneer and Indian in conflict, on which
he was engaged several years.
Meanwhile there was delay in the ship
ping of the Washington statue 1t was
not till 1S41 it was started. The work
was executed at Florence. over sixty
miles from the coast. Being in design,
size and weight cut from a solid block OF
marble twelve feet in height and of great
weight, with it's casing of heavy timbers
securely bolted, it required herculean
power and extreme care to move it to
LeShorn, the nearest seaport, without &C
cident
Mr.. Greenough watched over this first
step of the Journey. but it there stopped
No vessel was in port, nor could be found
in which to ship it to this city.
This information reaching the govern
ment action was taken by the Navy De-
partment looking to its transportation.
Commodore Isaac Hull who had served
in the Mediterranean in the Algerian war,
and whose name is linked with the illus
trious career of the L. S. frigate Con-
stitution (Old Ironsdes) in 1899. went out
on his last cruise at sea. in command of
the Mediterranean squadron on the U. 5.
S. Ohio. He was ordered to send the
statue by that ship to Washington
To load it on the deck of any vessel
would jeopardize it's safety. and hatch
ways were not sufficiently large for low
erng it in the hold. To enlarge the
cutting away of so much of the decking
and timbers as to weaken the vessel.
These facts being reported TO the Navy
Department the commodore was directed
W iuu anu Contract Win suitable IlcI
chant vessel for its transportation. This
was accomplished with some difficulty.
The ship Sea, then at Marseiiles, was
engaged and sailed for Leghorn and. ar
irving there. she was fitted for receiving
the statue, her hatchway being enlarged
and timbers placed aboard on which to
distribute the weight. This required some
little time.
In the meantime the new vault at
Mount Vernon had been completed and
ins of Woc ,inp ton, md tic yxyifA
inferred therein in 1897. Yet it was
deemed by host of people that his tomb
should be at the seat of government. The
Washington National Monument Society
had been formed in 1893 and the pro-
posed monument was planned to include
tomb for WashingtonS remains and
statue. This plan was favored for years
ny many, as was the proposition OF 1899
or the interment in the Capitol and the
placing Of the Greenougl statue in the ro
tunda in part in accordance with the
resolutions. The formation of the Ladies
Mount Vernon Association and its pur-
chase of that place in 1850 forever set
tied the question as to last ling place.
In 1S4O there arose some question as to
the foundations beneath the rotunda be-
ing of sufficen; strength to sustain such
a solid weight. and the architect, Robert
Mills. made an examination which re-
suited in asking for an appropriation of
$1,000 to make them secure. With this
the founda ions beneath the columns in
the crypt around and below the sepulcher
intended for the reception of Washing
tons remains were strengthened by
ma sonry. That there had been made a
careful estimate is seen in that the ac
tual expenditure was but 1925 less than
the appropriation.
The building was then prepared to re-
ceive the statue and no doubt was felt
Of it's arrival in a few months. The ship,
however. did not sail with the statue on
board ill May. 1911 She arrived at the
navy yard July 81 and again We're diff
ficuties met with.
The facilities at the yard for handling
such freight were thought TO be made
quate. Rather than risk injury TO it the
ship was detained until provision was
made. Powerful shears were then built
on the wharf for hosting and landing
the statue and for future use.
Statue on American Soil.
After a detention of the ship for over
"A month the statue was landed on Amer
lean soil-the navy yard wharf This de-
tention of the ship increased expenses
and no appropriation for moving it had
been made till September following.
when Congress appropriated $1,000 for
the removal of the statue and $4,000 for
the expenses of Mr. Greenough, freight,
detention of ship, etc.
While the statue laid on the wharf
number of suggestions were made and
discussed as to how the huge block should
be moved and but few men were anxious
to undertake the job. Capt William
Easily came forward and relieved the
suspense as to who would undertake the
work by making contract to place the
statue in the rotunda.
The captain was man of large ex-
perience as a mechanical engineer as
well as a shipbuilder, and having after
seeing service in the navy yard en-
gagged in canal and other heavy work,
.~I, Ia ynH fYHVNn trn<2
been regarded as the best man for
the work Obtaining the contract, he
made a careful study of what was re-
CURED To haul the statue on a truck by
oxen through the navy yard gate, as had
been proposed was not a feasible plan
in Capt. Easby's opinion. for it was
fraught with danger to statue and gate.
There was then waterway by which
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