The navy yard at Philadelphia described by Bernhard, duke of Saxe-Weimar Eisenach during his visit in 1825

This yard is several times described by other visitors, which allows us to compare the information.(1)

P. 141: “The navy-yard, which I visited with Mr. Tromp (2), was shown us by a lieutenant of the navy and major Miller of the marines; at the same time I became acquainted with the naval architect, Mr. Humphreys, who is considered one of the most skilful in his department in the United States. Three years ago he visited England and its dock-yards by order of the government. This navy-yard is not very large, for although ships are built here, yet they do not leave the yard perfectly equipped, as the Delaware is too shallow for completely armed ships of the line. On the stocks there was a ship of the line and a frigate yet incomplete, which, however, could be made ready for sea in a short time. The former is to carry one hundred and forty guns, and is said to be the largest vessel ever built. The frigate was of sixty four guns. Each vessel had an elliptic stern, and was under cover. The house which covered the ship of the line is so large that I counted on one side one hundred and forty windows. Between the two houses the keel of a sloop of war is to be laid [original footnote: [The Vandalia, recently launched.]

p. 142: There was no man-of-war here in actual service, but a small steam-brig in ordinary, called the Sea Gull, which had returned a few months ago from the West Indies, where she had been cruising after the pirates; she was now condemned as unseaworthy, and used as a receiving ship.”

Source

Bernhard, duke of Saxe-Weimar Eisenach. Travels trough North America during the years 1825 and 1826. 2 Vols. Philadelphia, 1828.

Notes

1. “Descriptions of the navy yard at Philadelphia, United States between 1824 and 1837” and “The navy yard at Philadelphia, United States in 1826 as described by the British navy Lieutenant Fred. Fitzgerald de Roos”, both published on this weblog.

2. August Elise Tromp (12 March 1801-10 June 1871) was a navy deputy constructor, the first shipbuilding engineer educated by Glavimans. He was in his career for instance responsible for the dockyards at Flushing and Willemsoord, the latter better known as Den Helder. His son Frederik Cornelis was in 1887-1888 Minister van Marine.