The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-25
PLAN 1O.PRESERVE
HISTORIC FLAGS
Matter Brought to Attention OF
Congress by Committee on
Naval Affairs. z
GRIM REMINDERS
They Are Now Stored in Rough
Boxes at the Military
Academy
lspecial to The Times-pispatch.

Especial to The Times-D ispatchl
Wa shington. February 2i.-Full Of
Interesting American history is the
plan of the House Committee on Naval
Affairs and number OF patriotic citf-
gems throughout the country. properly
TO preserve large number of trophy
flags now stored in common. rough
wooden boxes at the United States
Military Acedemy, where moths and
lack of attention are playing an I'M
portant part in Fastening their de-
struction.
There are 10 such flags. most of
which have been taken in battle. and
are solemn reminders of the grim days
of the past 1t is proposed to preserve
them, in whatever way may be most
practical. that they may last for years
to come.
Among these aass is an English
royal standard. twenty-three by TWEEN
ty-seven feet Captured ct York, Can
ada. April 81 1913. By squadron un-
der Isaac Cheuncey. Another is Perry's
battle fag, on the blue field OF which
, is inscribed the words in white letters,
Don't give up the chip the last
words of Captain Lawrence, after
whom the flagship was named. a trophy
of the battle of Lake Erie, September
10. 1913, this fag being used as the
signal for action by Commodore Perry.
Another IS the first United States en-
sign hoisted in Japan by Commodore
Perry, at Urega, July Il. 1853. Another
Is Mexican ensign taken in Mazat-
Ian. November II. lS47, by Com.
nodore Shubrick. still another is the
ensign OF the Alert. taken in 1872 by
Captain David Porter.
another the flag OF the Governor
General of the Philippines. taken by
Admiral Dewey. 1895 Also the last
nag flown by the Spanish squadron at
the battle Of Manila Boy.
These hags were almost all taken by
our navy during the War of 1912. Next
can War. Spanish War and two in the
pseudo war with France in 1888
Commander w c. Cole, of the navy.
now stationed at Annapolis. and senior
member of the committee on memorials
mas taken deep interest in the sub
Jet of preservation OF thcee trophies.
aho. AFTER much correspondence and re-
eearch, has found method by which
they can be restored and preserved II
Is proposed that they be stretched upcn
a backing OF fine linen and then sewed
to the linen by expert needlewon1en
using small stitches that will, not be
visible at the distance an observer viii
stand when viewing them in exhibition
cases ALSO using sewing silk OF the
color and shade to match oach part OF
the has. a most careful estimate has
been made of the entire matter and It
L. found that there are about ZOO
yards OF surface, and that the ma terIaI
linen. silk. etc, for this work will COS,
Sl,5oo. that 1t VIII require 100 needle
women working 200 days TO accomplish
this work. The glass cases for the re-
ception OF these fiags have been pre-.
pared from funds appropriated for me
MORALS in 1910.
Many patriotic societies OF this coun.
try have sent in memorials and pcti-
items praying that thest nagS may be
restored and preserved
There was exhibited before the com
mtttee two OF these flags One of them
has been treated in the manner above
named. II Is the haE VI the Epervier
captured by the Peacock, April %. 1914,
OFF the coast OF Florida under Maste,
Commandant Lewis Warrington
This flag was in most wretched con
been reduced to a mere film and also
torn badly in many places It cost
Sill, 10 restore it. Many OF the nars
are IN even worsa condition than wa
this. This trophy was before the com
mittee and Will be exhibited in the
House during the consideration OF thin
bill. Another was also shown which
has rot received the above treatment
and viii also be exhibited by way OF
contrast. the nag of the Dominica.
captured August 5. 1918. by the
schooner Decatur. under CAPTAIN d.
Diron
II is estimated that the average
amount OF time to be expended BY
needlAwonen in the restoration of
these flags will be fifteen hours per
square foot The proposed treatment
will be durable. Nearly 1000 years
ago the wife of the Duke OF Nor
mandy, with the help Of her attend
ants, made some tapestries which are
to-day kncTn as the Bayeuz; tapestries
They are mounted on hnel!nen, .n
exactly the same manner It is pro-
posed to mount these flags at Annap-
oils They have been constantly under
exhibit and have been transported TO
various exhibitions from time to time
The COMMITTEES is therefore of prac-
tically the unanimous opinion that the
approximation asked for In this bill is
necessary for the performing of this
work and believes II ehould he dom.
without delay These trophies. nov
crunlblins into. dust tell more then,
spoken OF written words of sreat
achievements of the American Navy in
the past. rhey are silent witnesses
of the bravery and heroism of the
American sailor and IN tnspira tion to
present and future generations.
2 Fl. MEG.