Yesterday the FRIGATE ESSEX, of 32 guns, was launched from the
stocks, in this town. She went into the water with the most
easy and graceful motion, amidst the acclamations of thousands
of spectators, and a federal salute from her guns on the hill,
returned by an armed ship in the harbour, commanded by Capt.
Thomas Williams. The Committee acting for the subscribers,
Col. Hacket, the superintendant, and Mr. Briggs, the master
builder, have thus the satisfaction of producing to their
country as fine a ship, of her size, as graces the American
Navy. It is not yet known who will command her; but it is on
all hands agreed that she is well calculated to do essential
service to her country.
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_COMMUNICATION._
_And_ ADAMS _said_, "LET THERE BE A NAVY!"
_and there was a Navy._
To build a Navy was the advice of our venerable sage. How far
it has been adhered to, is demonstrated by almost every town
in the United States, that is capable of floating a _galley_
or a _gun boat_.
Salem has not been backward in this laudable design. Impressed
with a due sense of the importance of a Navy, the patriotic
citizens of this town put out a subscription, and thereby
obtained an equivalent for building a vessel of force. Among
the foremost in this _good work_ were Messrs. DERBY and GRAY,
who set the example by subscribing TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS each.
But alas! the former is no more--we trust his _good deeds
follow him_.
Such was the patriotic zeal with which our citizens were
impressed, that in the short space of SIX MONTHS they
contracted for the materials and equipment of a Frigate of 32
guns, and had her completed yesterday for launching. The chief
part of the timber was standing but six months ago--and in a
_moment_, as it were, "_every Grove descended_," to put in
force the patriotic intentions of those at whose expense she
was built.
Yesterday the Stars and Stripes were unfurled on board the
Frigate ESSEX, and at 12 o'clock she made a majestic movement
into her destined element, there to join her sister craft in
repelling foreign aggressions, and maintaining the _Rights_
and _Liberties_ of a "GREAT, FREE, POWERFUL & INDEPENDENT
NATION."
The concourse of spectators was immense; and the averted face
of jacobinism was not seen depicted on the countenance of a
single one;--but on the contrary, the heart-felt satisfaction
of the beholders of this magnificent spectacle, was evinced by
the concording shouts and huzzas of thousands, which
reiterated from every quarter.
The unremitting zeal of Mr. BRIGGS, the Architect of this
beautiful ship, cannot be too highly applauded. His assiduity,
in bringing her into a state of such perfection, in so short a
time, entitles him to the grateful thanks of his country; and
we fondly hope that his labours have not been spent in vain,
for we may truly say that he has not _given rest to the sole
of his foot_, since her keel was first laid.
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