Norwich bulletin., 1921-08-13
ODD INCIDENTS EN AMERICAN
 HISTORY
OUR FIRST NAVAL VESSEL.

OUR FIRST NAVAL VESSEL.
 In the long list of splendid vessels which, in hundred combats, have main- tained the honor of our national flag, the United States stands at the head. After three years of unavoidable 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, 17S7 The hour for the launch ing was set for 1 in the afternoon, and the whole city of Philadelphia. it was said, went down to Southwark to behold such a rare show
 One estimate puts the number present at the launching at 30,Q00 'souls-a good ly number for that period. Another au- thority declares that an hour after the launching took place the streets of Phil sdelphia near the riverfront were still | choked with people going home. It was feared that a strong northwest wind, which for several days had kept 1 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 l occupied by an eager throng.
 By noon every hilltop and every house. | top 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 Swanson street was covered with human beings. In the river hun l dred craft rode at anchor gay with l bunting and richly dressed danes. At 1 precisely blocks were knocked from under her. the flashing of the cable cut, and 1 ct7O of 55a 1 the United States slid gracefully down her ways.
 The builder of this first naval vessel of
 the United States was Joshua Humphreys. 1 The launching was witnessed by the president of the United States and the heads of the departments, who were sta
 tioned on the United States brig Sophie. i Commodore Barry was in command of the vessel.
 The figure head on the vessel was
 carved by William Rush and represent Ted the Genius of America wearing a crest adorned with a constellation. Her
 hair escaped in loose, wavy tresses Ed rested upon her breast. A portrait of
 Washington was suspeSded 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-
 blens of war and peace In her left hand was suspended the Constitution of
 the Union Above was a tablet on which
 rested three books to represent the three
 branches of government, and the scales
 of justice. On the base of the tablet
 were carved the eagle and national es-
 eutcheon, and the attributes of com
 merce, agriculture, the arts and sciences
 Scarcely was the frigate in the wa ,A,,T- rt,r
 were in favor of the French republi,
 and took exception to the class rule O
 the country, as they desiganted it. began
 to scoff and to jeer. What would th'
 executive do with his navy of one forty
 four-gun shin? Send her to hunt up tn Africa. and demand satisfaction for tn
 insults heafed upon the town of New
 port and the French Minister Fanchet
 Send her to avenge the 1ogging given b, an Fnglishman to the captain of al American ship? Svould he use her t : step the impressnoE ( of our. seamen an
 the plunder of our merchantmen? o would he use her against the French
 These radical republicans noted tha 3 TaIleyrand himself had been heard | : say that France had nothing to fea f from a. nation of debaters that had bee : trying for three years 10 build thre s frigates.
 l The United States was one of the frs . vessels to do service in the war of 1S1: 9 with that brilliant sea captain Stephe : Decatur in charge, and the most re : markable of the engagements in whic she fought was with the Macedonian. C ? all the battles between American an . British ships there was none so ofte n discussed and so well remembered u . to our civil war as this sea fight, fc I the reason that the victory was we 2 won for the Americans, and the Mac' |. donian was brought into port and fc many years she carried the Stars an : Stripes.
 D Mcnday-The International Ft tora Me - Donald,)