The American ship of the line Pennsylvania was in her time one of the largest sailing warships existing. The Turkish Mahmoud was however somewhat larger. (1) The Naval Magazine of September 1837 published the launching ceremony, earlier elsewhere published.
P. 509: “LAUNCH OF THE SHIP PENNSYLVANIA. The annexed particulars are copied from the Philadelphia United States Gazette. Never did a more pleasant day dawn for a fete, than opened upon hundreds of thousands who were expecting the launch of the United States ship Pennsylvania. The public and private houses of the city and liberties, were crowded with visitors, anxious to witness the interesting event - and the cars, double trains of which came from New York, and arrived about noon, were crowded with passengers, pressing on towards the navy yard. The affairs in and around the great ship, had been so admirably arranged, that all was in readiness, that could be prepared, before the day of launching. The ways, upon which she was to slide, had been laid with massy timbers, and secured with braces, proportionate in size and number to the purposes for which they were prepared. The cradle was fitted to the bends of the ship with admirable precision; and the long wedges with which she was to be eased from the numerous shores, on which she rested, were placed in a proper positron to receive the well dealt blows that were to send them home to their proper position - and men lay along the cradle ready to spring to the signal that was to call them to action. All the shores, (so are denominated those large posts placed against the outside of the ship, to keep her from falling over on either side,) were removed, that could be taken away with safety, and ropes were applied to the others to keep them from falling upon the workmen, when they should be knocked away. Within the railings of the cut water, and in the rear of the figure head, was fastened an armed chair, for the convenience of the officer who was to christen the ship.
THE PEOPLE
Those who worship the people, could have seen their idol in all its glory - both in number and appearance. At an early hour, say before 7 o'clock, persons were seen wending their way from all points of the compass, towards the navy yard. - The day had been designated as a holiday - and the determination was evident to keep it as such. Those who arrived first, took possession of the corners of the wharves that projected into the river, near the navy yard, and sat perched upon some coin of advantage, for upwards of seven hours - having the benefit of a hot sun, and the especial advantage of the reflection of its heat from t water. Before 10 o'clock, the current of people, old and young, male and female, pouring along the street, was “like the stream of many tides,” - carriages, omnibuses and side walks were crowded - and as the people reached the navy yard, they filed off to different positions; filling the
p. 510: wharves, crowding the shipping, climbing to the roofs of houses and stores, and holding by joists, piles of lumber, or any elevated object, that gave one a chance of looking two inches over his neighbor’s head - that was the time and place for a “six foot” man. Stagings, with convenient seats, had been prepared above and below the navy yard, and these were soon crowded, at one dollar a seat. From the stern of the Pennsylvania, about half an hour before launching, we looked along the shores—and by knowing that on a staging erected by Messrs. Nolen & Co. there were about 800 persons, we could judge something of the numbers scattered, or rather crowded, at all points, and commanding the best view of the ship, or the great house containing it. We should estimate the number at 200,000 - counting the immense host that thronged the Jersey shore, directly opposite. Some gentlemen gave a much higher estimate; one, much lower. The wharf immediately above the navy yard, was so thronged, that it looked like one great sea of human heads, moving to and from with a few hundred parasols to keep off the sun, and occasionally put out an eye. Below the ship, a temporary staging had been erected, for the convenience of the families of the workmen - this was well filled - and the long building in which are made and kept the spars, was filled with ladies. The roof was crowded with male visitors.
THE RIVER
The sight of the river from the ship was inexpressibly fine. Ships were anchored in a semi-circular position from off the navy yard - in a line designated by the authorities - and their circles were doubled, trebled, before 2 o'clock, by every species of craft, from the largest sized ships to the smallest cockboat. The number of ships, steamers, and other vessels of size, was upwards of two hundred - while boats, barges, skiffs, canoes, &c. &c. thronged the arena, in numbers without number. All the vessels were crowded with company, and the steam boats with their precious freights, seemed to move in the mass as if instinct with life. About noon, nearly a dozen of barges, manned with their young athletic crews, were seen sweeping into the area of water, and passing rapidly down, in file, with their colors flying. These, after plying with the rapidity and grace of sea birds, came to the shore, and the crews of some of them were mustered on projecting wharves, each side of the ship. At ten minutes past 2 o'clock P. M. the striking of the flag upon the ship house, and the discharge of two cannon, gave notice that the launch was near, and the boats within the prescribed circle must depart. At once, every boat shot off from the prescribed area, and took stands in the crowd of navigation. At that moment the scene was indescribably elegant. One could scarcely fail to imagine that he stood
Upon the ridle and beheld
A city on the constant billows dancing;
Tor to appeared that fleet majestical
THE LAUNCH
The noise of heavy hammers, and the occasional trembling of the mighty fabric on which we stood, gave notice that the event for which so many were waiting almost in breathless expectation was at hand. The gallant Commodore Biddle took his station directly behind the figure head; on each side was a well filled bottle. We had the curiosity to look at the pieces of writing accompanying each: one was a certificate that the contents of the bottle were good old PENNSYLVANIA WHISKEY distilled in 1829, by George Kremer, of Union county, and presented for this occasion, by T. Hart, Esq. The other was a wine bottle, somewhat distinguished by the dust and mould of the cryp, the certificate fully expressing its excellent quality; it bore only the word Cadwalader. Lieutenant Richie, who was the first in command, marshalled the passengers, amounting to upwards of 200, amidships, where ropes were stretched across, and the busy toil below went on, dealing ruin to
p. 511: blocks and stays of every kind - suddenly there was a pause - at length there arose a loud hurrah from below; the PENNSYLVANIA settled slightly to her cradle, and moved majestically forward to the sound of national music from the German band on deck. As soon as her keel dipped into the water, Commodore Biddle broke the bottles over the head of Old Hercules, and wished success to the GOOD SHIP PENNSYLVANIA. Onward she moved, not rapidly, as the dip of her ways was but 4 1-4 degrees, but smoothly and gracefully into the Delaware, occupying exactly 19,55 100 seconds in passing out of the house. Never was there a more beautiful launch, never did ship slide from her ways with more beauty and grace, and the eye of every man on board, but especially every officer, glistened with pleasure. No sooner was the ship seen floating on the river, than there arose loud hurrahs, from wharf to wharf, from multitude to multitude, from the shores to the shipping, and from the shipping to the hosts on the Jersey shores. The thousands of boats that had hastened beyond the line of ships at the signal gun, now shot out from every point and opening, springing into view like beautiful insects in a summer’s sun, Upward and downward, thwarting and convolved. Salvos of artillery spoke the general pleasure, and men looked upon the mighty structure floating in the Delaware, with a joy at its safe movement, as if each had a personal rather than a national interest in the event.
INCIDENTAL.
As the Great Ship was built in Pennsylvania, planned and constructed by Pennsylvanians, we felt an interest to note what officers whom we saw, and knew to be Pennsylvanians by birth. Mr. Humphrey, the Naval Constructor; Commodore Biddle, Commodore Stewart, Captain Conner, Commander McCauley, Commander Levy, Lieutenant Ritchie, Lieutenant Pennington, Lieutenant McKean, Purser McCauley. There were others of course present, but we did not know them, and we are compelled to omit several names that we desired to connect with our hasty report. We observed most of the old shipwrights of Philadelphia, looking with knowing and gratified eyes at the proceedings. When the ship sat fairly on the water, we thought it no sin to envy a little those whose fame was connected with her perfect appearance. Some enquiries resulted in the following: “The launch was conducted by Mr. Samuel Humphreys, the chief naval constructor, assisted by Mr. Hart, the constructor at the navy yard here. Too much praise cannot be awarded to the workmen, who efficiently performed the work of the launch. The Pennsylvania is from the pencil of the chief naval constructor, and was partly built by him prior to his leaving Philadelphia for Washington, his present residence. The model is generally approved, as possessing the qualities of capacity, buoyancy, and fast sailing.” “She is a splendid specimen of the science of naval architecture of the present day, although commenced fifteen years ago, and the workmanship reflects great credit on the mechanics of Philadelphia. “She is pierced for 136 guns, all 32 pounders, and will be the most formidable ship, afloat. May success attend her.”The extraordinary interest which the event created, out of the city, as well as within it, may be inferred from the number of strangers who thronged into the city from every quarter. Upwards of one thousand persons were on board the steam boat which arrived at Chesnut street wharf, conveying the passengers from New York, filling to suffocation a train of between thirty and forty cars, and nearly every store in the city was closed. Contrary to general expectation no accident of the slightest importance occurred during the launch, the swell occasioned by the ship’s gliding into her element being so very slight as to create no danger or agitation of consequence among the immense fleet that surrounded her. After the Pennsylvania had become stationary, and just as the numerous vessels were preparing to take the departure homeward with their gratified passengers, the breeze .which before had been merely sufficient to induce the ladies to lay aside their fans, sprung up and filled the multitude of sails that whitened the Delaware in every direction, and to an extent that was never before witnessed upon this river. Their number, variety, and picturesque beauty, were only excelled by the perfect good order which appeared to be every where preserved, so much so, that it was a subject of admiration to see the multitude of vessels, with canvass swelling in the breeze, gently and safely gliding by or in company with each other, each bending its course to. its respective wharf, without the slightest appearance of confusion. The movement of the multitude on shore was equally correct and orderly.
DIMENSIONS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA.
Length between the perpendiculars, 210
Beam mould 56’9”
Depth of hold to gun deck 23
Deadwood 7”
Ceiling, plank, from keelson to floor head 8”
Throat of floor timber 1’6”
Tonnage 3000
Height of lower gun deck port sill 27’8”
Do. middle do. do. 34’11½”
Do. upper do. do. 42’3½”
Do. spar do. do. 47’11”
Rake of stern post 3’6”
Rake of stem
Length of keel for tonnage 173’6”
Height from spar deck port sill to under side of rail 3’9”
Height of spar deck port sill from base line 47’11”
Height from base line to under part of rail at dead flat 51’8”
Length of the lower gun deck 205’6”
Breadth of do. 35’5”
Length of the main gun deck 212
Breadth of do. 54’9”
Length of upper gun deck 217
Breadth of do. 52
Length of spar deck 219
Breadth of do. 47’6”
Extreme breadth 28’1½”
Length from figure head to stern gallery 247’6”
Height from bottom of keel to top of rail amidships 54’9”
Depth of hold to orlop deck 15’3”
Thickness of deck 4”
From orlop deck to lower gun deck 7’4”
deck 5”
From lower gun deck to main deck 7’2”
deck 5”
From main deck to upper gun deck 7’2”
deck 4”
From upper gun deck to spar deck 7”
deck 3”
From limber streak to spar deck 45’9”
Distance between the ports 7’10”
Height of the ports 3”
Breadth do. do. 3’4”
Lower gun deck ports, (number) 32
Main do. do. do. do. 36
Upper do. do. do. do. 36
Spar do. do. do. do. 36
Length from fore part of stem to aft side of stern at height of spar deck 224
Whole length of keel 195’6”
Height from water line to main truck 239 feet.
Height from water line to fore truck 217 feet.
Height from water line to mizen truck 196 feet.
Draught of water 25 feet.
Mounts 136 guns.
Source
The Naval Magazine. Vol II. September 1837.
Note
1. See the articles ‘The Turkish or Ottoman ship of the line Mahmoud in 1835” and “A large anchor for the American ship of the line USS Pennsylvania in 1835”, both published on this web log.
P. 509: “LAUNCH OF THE SHIP PENNSYLVANIA. The annexed particulars are copied from the Philadelphia United States Gazette. Never did a more pleasant day dawn for a fete, than opened upon hundreds of thousands who were expecting the launch of the United States ship Pennsylvania. The public and private houses of the city and liberties, were crowded with visitors, anxious to witness the interesting event - and the cars, double trains of which came from New York, and arrived about noon, were crowded with passengers, pressing on towards the navy yard. The affairs in and around the great ship, had been so admirably arranged, that all was in readiness, that could be prepared, before the day of launching. The ways, upon which she was to slide, had been laid with massy timbers, and secured with braces, proportionate in size and number to the purposes for which they were prepared. The cradle was fitted to the bends of the ship with admirable precision; and the long wedges with which she was to be eased from the numerous shores, on which she rested, were placed in a proper positron to receive the well dealt blows that were to send them home to their proper position - and men lay along the cradle ready to spring to the signal that was to call them to action. All the shores, (so are denominated those large posts placed against the outside of the ship, to keep her from falling over on either side,) were removed, that could be taken away with safety, and ropes were applied to the others to keep them from falling upon the workmen, when they should be knocked away. Within the railings of the cut water, and in the rear of the figure head, was fastened an armed chair, for the convenience of the officer who was to christen the ship.
THE PEOPLE
Those who worship the people, could have seen their idol in all its glory - both in number and appearance. At an early hour, say before 7 o'clock, persons were seen wending their way from all points of the compass, towards the navy yard. - The day had been designated as a holiday - and the determination was evident to keep it as such. Those who arrived first, took possession of the corners of the wharves that projected into the river, near the navy yard, and sat perched upon some coin of advantage, for upwards of seven hours - having the benefit of a hot sun, and the especial advantage of the reflection of its heat from t water. Before 10 o'clock, the current of people, old and young, male and female, pouring along the street, was “like the stream of many tides,” - carriages, omnibuses and side walks were crowded - and as the people reached the navy yard, they filed off to different positions; filling the
p. 510: wharves, crowding the shipping, climbing to the roofs of houses and stores, and holding by joists, piles of lumber, or any elevated object, that gave one a chance of looking two inches over his neighbor’s head - that was the time and place for a “six foot” man. Stagings, with convenient seats, had been prepared above and below the navy yard, and these were soon crowded, at one dollar a seat. From the stern of the Pennsylvania, about half an hour before launching, we looked along the shores—and by knowing that on a staging erected by Messrs. Nolen & Co. there were about 800 persons, we could judge something of the numbers scattered, or rather crowded, at all points, and commanding the best view of the ship, or the great house containing it. We should estimate the number at 200,000 - counting the immense host that thronged the Jersey shore, directly opposite. Some gentlemen gave a much higher estimate; one, much lower. The wharf immediately above the navy yard, was so thronged, that it looked like one great sea of human heads, moving to and from with a few hundred parasols to keep off the sun, and occasionally put out an eye. Below the ship, a temporary staging had been erected, for the convenience of the families of the workmen - this was well filled - and the long building in which are made and kept the spars, was filled with ladies. The roof was crowded with male visitors.
THE RIVER
The sight of the river from the ship was inexpressibly fine. Ships were anchored in a semi-circular position from off the navy yard - in a line designated by the authorities - and their circles were doubled, trebled, before 2 o'clock, by every species of craft, from the largest sized ships to the smallest cockboat. The number of ships, steamers, and other vessels of size, was upwards of two hundred - while boats, barges, skiffs, canoes, &c. &c. thronged the arena, in numbers without number. All the vessels were crowded with company, and the steam boats with their precious freights, seemed to move in the mass as if instinct with life. About noon, nearly a dozen of barges, manned with their young athletic crews, were seen sweeping into the area of water, and passing rapidly down, in file, with their colors flying. These, after plying with the rapidity and grace of sea birds, came to the shore, and the crews of some of them were mustered on projecting wharves, each side of the ship. At ten minutes past 2 o'clock P. M. the striking of the flag upon the ship house, and the discharge of two cannon, gave notice that the launch was near, and the boats within the prescribed circle must depart. At once, every boat shot off from the prescribed area, and took stands in the crowd of navigation. At that moment the scene was indescribably elegant. One could scarcely fail to imagine that he stood
Upon the ridle and beheld
A city on the constant billows dancing;
Tor to appeared that fleet majestical
THE LAUNCH
The noise of heavy hammers, and the occasional trembling of the mighty fabric on which we stood, gave notice that the event for which so many were waiting almost in breathless expectation was at hand. The gallant Commodore Biddle took his station directly behind the figure head; on each side was a well filled bottle. We had the curiosity to look at the pieces of writing accompanying each: one was a certificate that the contents of the bottle were good old PENNSYLVANIA WHISKEY distilled in 1829, by George Kremer, of Union county, and presented for this occasion, by T. Hart, Esq. The other was a wine bottle, somewhat distinguished by the dust and mould of the cryp, the certificate fully expressing its excellent quality; it bore only the word Cadwalader. Lieutenant Richie, who was the first in command, marshalled the passengers, amounting to upwards of 200, amidships, where ropes were stretched across, and the busy toil below went on, dealing ruin to
p. 511: blocks and stays of every kind - suddenly there was a pause - at length there arose a loud hurrah from below; the PENNSYLVANIA settled slightly to her cradle, and moved majestically forward to the sound of national music from the German band on deck. As soon as her keel dipped into the water, Commodore Biddle broke the bottles over the head of Old Hercules, and wished success to the GOOD SHIP PENNSYLVANIA. Onward she moved, not rapidly, as the dip of her ways was but 4 1-4 degrees, but smoothly and gracefully into the Delaware, occupying exactly 19,55 100 seconds in passing out of the house. Never was there a more beautiful launch, never did ship slide from her ways with more beauty and grace, and the eye of every man on board, but especially every officer, glistened with pleasure. No sooner was the ship seen floating on the river, than there arose loud hurrahs, from wharf to wharf, from multitude to multitude, from the shores to the shipping, and from the shipping to the hosts on the Jersey shores. The thousands of boats that had hastened beyond the line of ships at the signal gun, now shot out from every point and opening, springing into view like beautiful insects in a summer’s sun, Upward and downward, thwarting and convolved. Salvos of artillery spoke the general pleasure, and men looked upon the mighty structure floating in the Delaware, with a joy at its safe movement, as if each had a personal rather than a national interest in the event.
INCIDENTAL.
As the Great Ship was built in Pennsylvania, planned and constructed by Pennsylvanians, we felt an interest to note what officers whom we saw, and knew to be Pennsylvanians by birth. Mr. Humphrey, the Naval Constructor; Commodore Biddle, Commodore Stewart, Captain Conner, Commander McCauley, Commander Levy, Lieutenant Ritchie, Lieutenant Pennington, Lieutenant McKean, Purser McCauley. There were others of course present, but we did not know them, and we are compelled to omit several names that we desired to connect with our hasty report. We observed most of the old shipwrights of Philadelphia, looking with knowing and gratified eyes at the proceedings. When the ship sat fairly on the water, we thought it no sin to envy a little those whose fame was connected with her perfect appearance. Some enquiries resulted in the following: “The launch was conducted by Mr. Samuel Humphreys, the chief naval constructor, assisted by Mr. Hart, the constructor at the navy yard here. Too much praise cannot be awarded to the workmen, who efficiently performed the work of the launch. The Pennsylvania is from the pencil of the chief naval constructor, and was partly built by him prior to his leaving Philadelphia for Washington, his present residence. The model is generally approved, as possessing the qualities of capacity, buoyancy, and fast sailing.” “She is a splendid specimen of the science of naval architecture of the present day, although commenced fifteen years ago, and the workmanship reflects great credit on the mechanics of Philadelphia. “She is pierced for 136 guns, all 32 pounders, and will be the most formidable ship, afloat. May success attend her.”The extraordinary interest which the event created, out of the city, as well as within it, may be inferred from the number of strangers who thronged into the city from every quarter. Upwards of one thousand persons were on board the steam boat which arrived at Chesnut street wharf, conveying the passengers from New York, filling to suffocation a train of between thirty and forty cars, and nearly every store in the city was closed. Contrary to general expectation no accident of the slightest importance occurred during the launch, the swell occasioned by the ship’s gliding into her element being so very slight as to create no danger or agitation of consequence among the immense fleet that surrounded her. After the Pennsylvania had become stationary, and just as the numerous vessels were preparing to take the departure homeward with their gratified passengers, the breeze .which before had been merely sufficient to induce the ladies to lay aside their fans, sprung up and filled the multitude of sails that whitened the Delaware in every direction, and to an extent that was never before witnessed upon this river. Their number, variety, and picturesque beauty, were only excelled by the perfect good order which appeared to be every where preserved, so much so, that it was a subject of admiration to see the multitude of vessels, with canvass swelling in the breeze, gently and safely gliding by or in company with each other, each bending its course to. its respective wharf, without the slightest appearance of confusion. The movement of the multitude on shore was equally correct and orderly.
DIMENSIONS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA.
Length between the perpendiculars, 210
Beam mould 56’9”
Depth of hold to gun deck 23
Deadwood 7”
Ceiling, plank, from keelson to floor head 8”
Throat of floor timber 1’6”
Tonnage 3000
Height of lower gun deck port sill 27’8”
Do. middle do. do. 34’11½”
Do. upper do. do. 42’3½”
Do. spar do. do. 47’11”
Rake of stern post 3’6”
Rake of stem
Length of keel for tonnage 173’6”
Height from spar deck port sill to under side of rail 3’9”
Height of spar deck port sill from base line 47’11”
Height from base line to under part of rail at dead flat 51’8”
Length of the lower gun deck 205’6”
Breadth of do. 35’5”
Length of the main gun deck 212
Breadth of do. 54’9”
Length of upper gun deck 217
Breadth of do. 52
Length of spar deck 219
Breadth of do. 47’6”
Extreme breadth 28’1½”
Length from figure head to stern gallery 247’6”
Height from bottom of keel to top of rail amidships 54’9”
Depth of hold to orlop deck 15’3”
Thickness of deck 4”
From orlop deck to lower gun deck 7’4”
deck 5”
From lower gun deck to main deck 7’2”
deck 5”
From main deck to upper gun deck 7’2”
deck 4”
From upper gun deck to spar deck 7”
deck 3”
From limber streak to spar deck 45’9”
Distance between the ports 7’10”
Height of the ports 3”
Breadth do. do. 3’4”
Lower gun deck ports, (number) 32
Main do. do. do. do. 36
Upper do. do. do. do. 36
Spar do. do. do. do. 36
Length from fore part of stem to aft side of stern at height of spar deck 224
Whole length of keel 195’6”
Height from water line to main truck 239 feet.
Height from water line to fore truck 217 feet.
Height from water line to mizen truck 196 feet.
Draught of water 25 feet.
Mounts 136 guns.
Source
The Naval Magazine. Vol II. September 1837.
Note
1. See the articles ‘The Turkish or Ottoman ship of the line Mahmoud in 1835” and “A large anchor for the American ship of the line USS Pennsylvania in 1835”, both published on this web log.
