SOME UNPUBLISHED FACTS ABOUT THEIR CONSTRUCTION. 143 



the most extensive researches and mature deliberations their dimensions were fixed 

 and I was directed to prepare the draughts ; which was accordingly done and ap- 

 proved. Those plans appear to be similar with those adopted by France in their 

 great experience in naval architecture; they having cut down several of their 74's 

 to make heavy frigates, making them nearly of the dimensions of those for the 

 United States. From the construction of those ships it is expected the commanders 

 of them will have it in their power to engage or not any ship as they may think 

 proper; and no ship under 64 now afloat but what must submit to them. These 

 reasons are paramount to all objections, and annihilated opposition." 



The report of Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, states that work had 

 already begun in cutting the timber in Georgia ; also, that a contract had been exe- 

 cuted with Messrs. Levi Hollingsworth, Son & Company, of Jersey and Pennsyl- 

 vania, for 92 tons of cannon ball and 340 tons of kentledge. Another contract 

 with Messrs. J. J. Faesch & Company, of New Jersey, for 98 tons of cannon ball 

 and 256 tons of kentledge. Another contract with the Cecil Iron Company, of 

 Maryland, for half of the 24-pound cannons. Another contract with Messrs. 

 Brown, Francis and Company, of Providence, for one-third of the 24-pound can- 

 nons, and a contract with the Boston Company for sail cloth for all the frigates. 



In January, 1795, General Knox was succeeded by Timothy Pickering as Sec- 

 retary of War, but the organization for building the frigates does not appear to 

 have been changed in any way. In February, 1795, a quantity of copper arrived 

 for the ships from Europe. As the work progressed numerous questions regarding 

 materials arose, but it appears that every effort was used to build the ships in the 

 most durable way possible. Some of the constructors desired to use inferior mate- 

 rials for the deadwood, but it was ascertained that live oak could be obtained and 

 its use was insisted on. Captain Dale, who was supervising the construction of the 

 frigate at Norfolk, applied for, and was granted, a furlough for the purpose of 

 making a voyage to China, and his work was put in the hands of Capt. Samuel Bar- 

 ron. In the absence of John Morgan in Georgia, Josiah Fox, Humphreys' assistant 

 in draughting the original plans, was appointed as acting constructor at Norfolk. 

 In July, 1795, Messrs. Gurney and Smith resigned their agency for the frigate 

 building at Philadelphia and Mr. Tench Francis was appointed naval agent. 



By this time, about a year after the preliminary work had been commenced, it 

 became apparent that the difficulties of getting the live oak in George were greater 

 than had been foreseen. Full and regular supplies for only two frigates could be 

 kept up. To maintain the working organization on all six ships with adequate sup- 

 plies would have proved unnecessarily wasteful and it was therefore decided on 

 June 29 to suspend the work on the four ships building at Portsmouth, N. H., Bos- 

 ton, New York and Norfolk, continuing the building, with all supplies available, at 

 Philadelphia and Baltimore. The Secretary of War says : — 



