Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-05-10
A BIG NAVAL Event
Launching Of the First Warship
of Our Young Nation.
SHE WAS The UNITED STATES

SHE WAS The UNITED STATES
II Was a Great Day In Philadelphia
When Our First Naval Vessel Bull
Under the Constitution Slid Into the
Water on May 10, 1897.
In the long list Of splendid vessels
which in a hundred combats have
flag the United States stands at the
head. After three years Of unayofd-
able detention the first naval vessel
built by the United States under the
constitution was to be committed to
the waves. The day chosen for so
great an event in our history was May
10, 1897. The hour for the launching
was set for ] in the afternoon, and the
whole city of Philadelphia, it is said,
went down to Southwark to behold
such a rare show.
One estimate puts the number pres
ent at the launching at 10000 souls, a
goodly number for that period. An
other authority declares that an hour
after the launching took place the
streets of Philadelphia zeal the river
front were still choked with people
going home.
1t was feared that a strong northwest
wind, which for several days had kept
back the tides of the river, would make
the waters OF the Delaware much too
shallow to permit the launching. Yet
at sunrise on the morning Of the 10th
the best points Of observation began to
be occupied by an eager throng.
BY noon every hilltop and every
housetop commanding a view on each
side Of the river and every inch of
space on the stands put up about the
vessel and before the houses on Swan
ston street was covered with human
beings. In the river q hundred craft
rode at anchor, gay with bunting and
richly dressed danes. AT / precisely
the blocks were knocked from under
her, the lashing of the cable. cut and
amidst the shouts of the great multi
tude the United States slid gracefully
down her ways.
The builder of this first naval yes
sci of the United States was Joshua
Humphreys. The launching was wit
messed by the president of the United
States land the heads Of the depart
ments, who were stationed in the
United States brig Sophie. Commo.
dore Barry was In command of the
vessel.
The %figurehead on the vessel was
carved by William Rush and repre-.
sented the genius Of America wearing
a crest adorned with a constellation
Her hair escaped in loose, wavy tres.
SEES and rested upon her breast. A
portrait of Washington was suspended
from her neck, and her waist was
bound with a civic band.
In the right hand the figure held a
spear and belts Of wampum-the EN-
blems of war and peace. In her left
hand was suspended the constitution
OF the Union. Above was a tablet or
which rested three books, to represent
the three branches of government, an6
the scales Of Justice. On the base OF
the tablet were carved the eagle an(
national e%scutcheon and the attributes
OF commerce, agriculture, the arts an(
sciences.
Scarcely was the frigate in the waite
than the Journals of the country VIII,
We're In favor of the French republi
and took exception to the class rule 0
the country, as they designated 1t, be
gan to scott and to jcer. What woul,
the executive doswith his navy Of on
forty-four gun ship? Send her to hun
up the Africa and demand satisfaction
for the insults lleaped upon the tow
OF Newport and the French Ministe
Fauchet? Send her to ayenge the fog
cling given by IN Englishman to tt,
captain of an American ship? Woul
he use her to stop the implessment q
9ur seamen and the plumber OF on
perchantmen? Or would he use he
against the French?s
These radical Republicans noted the
Talleyrand himself had been heard |
say that France had nothing to fea
from q nation Of debaters that la
been trying for three years 10 bull
three frigates.
The United States was one Of til
6rst vessels to do service in the Ws
of 1872, with that brilliant sea captain
Stephen Decatur, In charge, and ii
most remarkable OF the engagement
in which she fought was with ii
Macedonian. Ofallthe battles betwee
~ Nl.2ANEA III