Smyrna times., 1924-03-12
SILVER SERVICE ON HJUNEED"
U.S.S. DELAWARE COMING BACK
is TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION OF
STATE FOR NEW DELAWARE"
Besides the Silver Service Which the
People of Delaware Gave at a Cost
of $4,000, is Valuable Painting


of $4,000, is a Valuable Painting
Preparations are now being made
by Governor William D. Denney to
have the silver service and Delaware
State banner shipped from the Bos-
ton Navy Yard, where the Battleship |
Delaware is being scrapped, to Dover.
These valuables, with pictures of |
three Delaware admirals, were pre- |
sented to the ship by Delaware citi-
zens in 1910 at the time of its being |
commissioned. The silver service will |
remain at Dover until another battle |
ship chrstened Delaware" is built, |
and will then be recalled by the Navy
Department. 1t was through the eff
forts of Senator L. Heisler Ball that
the silver service is to be returned to
Delaware.
Immediately after it was learned
that the Delaware was to be scrapped
Josiah Marvel, who was vice-chair-
man of the presentation committee in
1920, Zeban a series of communica-
tions with Senator Ball and Senator
dupont. Mr.. Marvel was aided by
the Colonial Danes and the Daughters
of 1872, who had presented the paint
ings of Commodore Jones and Com
mOdOre Marlborough, respectively.
Efforts are now being made by these
societies to regain these pictures,
which are now on exhibition in the
Bureau of Navigation at Washington.
1t is probable that those of the
original presentation committee will
| form a committee which will attend
to the receiving and care of the sill
yer service.
In a letter dated March to Sen
ator Ball, Secretary of the Navy Ed
win DENLY said in part:
Gas these articles became the prop
erty of the United States as soon as
they were accepted from the State of
Delaware they can now be lent to the
State only on condition that they may
remain subject to recall by the Navy
at any time. The Delaware silver SER
vice set, including a banner with the
State seal, is now stored in the Navy
Yard at Boston. The cOmmandant at
that yard has been directed this date
to inform the Governor of Delaware
of the cost Of packing the silver ser
vice for shipment and to furnish him
with an itemized list Of the service
and its value. Upon receipt by the
COmmandant, Navy Yard, Boston, OF
check to cover expenses in connec-
tion with the packing and necessary
shipping instructions, express ship
ment collect will be made.
"The paintings presented to the
Delaware are now on exhibition in the
Bureau of Navigation, Navy Depart
ment. 1t is requested that shipping
instructions for shipment of these
paintings to the Governor be furnish
ed direct to the Bureau of Supple'
and Accounts. Upon receipt of sucl
instructions the Bureau of Supple
and Accounts will direct the packing
of these paintings and have then
shipped by express collect. With re
newed assurance of the pleasure
| gives me to serve you in this matter.
The battleship Delaware was bull
| at Newport News, the launching i
: 1909 being attended by then Governo
Simeon S. Pennewill and staff an
prominent citizens of Delaware. Mis-
Anne P. Cahall, of Bridgeville, wa
the sponsor, she being relative
the Governor. The Delaware wa
commissioned on April A, 1910, tn
total cost of the then superdreaC
naught being $8,458,928.
The silver service, bought wit
State and city appropriations and b
contributions of citizens of State, co!
$4,000 and is an outstanding work {
4 art. The Delaware peach entered int
4 the decorative effect of it. The form
al presentation was made October
i 1910, the Delaware being anchored
i the Delaware River off Wilmington ;
the time Captain C. C. Cove recei7
ed the silver service in behalf of IL
ship and its personnel. Then follow
ed a week of celebrations and cope
house" on the Delaware, which W;
visited by thousands Of Delawarean