The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-09-28

pointed towards the stern and its tongue pro-
jected in defiance and derision. In her old age
the Constitution had only simple scroll billet
head and this was unchanged during the res
toration work of recent years.
The Andrew Jackson fgurehead, whether the
original or replica, is not the only famous one
at the Naval academy in Annapolis. Even richer
in tradition is that of a scowling Indian chief
tain-"Old Tecumseh." the 'God Of 25"-which
stands in front Of Bancroft hail. This fgurehead
originally graced the bow of ship-of-the-line,
the Delaware built in the navy yard at Norfolk,
Va, in 1917 and was supposed to be likeness of
Tamanend, the most famous of chiefs Of the
Delaware Indians. (He was also known as Tam
many, and as such became the patron god Of the
New York political society,"
At the beginning of the Civil war the Della
ware was out of commission at the Norfolk navy
yard When the navy yard was destroyed in
1861 she scuttled and burned, but after the
close of the war what remained Of her hulk was
sold to wreckers. who raised and broke her up
for copper in 1860 and the fgurehead was sent
to the Naval academy where after occupying
several sites finally in 1909 was placed on
pedestal facing Bancroft hall.
Gradually the tradition Of 'Tamanends" mys-
terious power of imparting knowledge was estab-
lished. Also by this time he had been renamed
'Tecumseh" by the middies and had become the
God of 2.5" (the passing mark at the academy.
Later his powers were increased and he was
charged with gaining victories for the navy
teams. AS the regiment of midshipmen departs
for the big games each platoon gives a left
handed salute" to him that the Navy may win
that day. Another ceremony is centered around
"Tecumseh." When the final examinations are
concluded the graduating class gathers before
him to read its class history and pay final hon.
age to his steadfast aid
In more recent years the ravages of time were
threatening "Old Tecumseh." SO a movement,
sponsored by the class of 1891. put under
way to replace the wooden figure with exact
replica in bronze. This was done about five years
ago but even though the midshipmen now toss
their pennies before a bronze "Old Tecumseh"
as they pass Bancroft hall and invoke his aid In
the imminent quiz, the original wooden figure
head is still carefully preserved at Annapolis.
1t has distinguished company in one Of Gre
clan design which once graced the British ship
Macedonian until that vessel was captured by
Stephen Decatur, while In command of the
q. S. S. United States during the War Of 1872,
one Of a bust of Benjamin Franklin, which
adorned the U. S. S. Franklin, launched in 1915,
and another, taken from the Spanish Don An
tonia de Uloa, destroyed by Dewey at the battle
of Manila Bay. Dewey's flagship at that battle,
the Olympia, had interesting fgurehead. It
bronze winged goddess of victory holding
aloft eagle, and it was designed by the IA
nous sculptor, Augustus Saint Gaudens
The Buffalo IN. " Historical society has
notable collection of ships fgureheads, one of
the most famous being a bust only 10 inches
high 1t is smiling woman, wearing coronet
and is supposed to be portrait bust of Queen
Caroline of England, since 1t was the fgurehead
of the steamer, the Caroline, which built
in the early part Of the Nineteenth century Dur
ing the Upper Canadian rebellion of 1897 the
Caroline was said to have been in the service
of the rebels and one night she was towed from
her moorings in the Niagara river, set on fire
and set adrift. The charred timbers of the ship
foated over Niagara falls, and were dashed to
pieces on the rocks. But by some strange quirk
of fate the smiling face of Queen Caroline sur
vived the perils of both fire and water and was
found comparatively uninjured in the lower
Niagara river near Lewiston.
Motorists over the Sunrise Montauk high
way on Long Island see ship fgurehead at
what is known as Canoe Place about Sc miles
from New York City which has become famous
as the wishing Image" II is a heroic-size
bust Of Hercules, which was washed ashore
many years ago. presumably after the ship which
bore 1t had been wrecked, and which later was
placed on pedestal.
On tablet attached to the pedestal is the
statement that IL maid or matron kiss the
cheek Of the image she will "meet her fate
within week" If she climbs up farther and
puts her lips to the forehead of Hercules, she
viii be married within q year. So, many
motorist passing this image and seeing young
woman clambering toward the forehead of the
statue, knows that she is trying to discover If
there Is indeed virtue In the inscription on the
wishing Image!
eby Western Newspaper Usioz-