SOME UNPUBLISHED FACTS ABOUT THEIR CONSTRUCTION. 147 



appears to be in the report of Representative Parker from the Committee of the 

 House on January 25, 1797, in which mention is made of "The frigate building at 

 Philadelphia, of 44 guns, and called the United States," "the frigate building at Bos- 

 ton called the Constitution of 44 guns," "the frigate Constellation building at Bal- 

 timore of 36 guns." It would be of great interest to discover who was responsible 

 for the selection of these names, but it is probable that it was done by President 

 Washington himself. 



The report of the Secretary of War, James McHenry, to Congress in January, 

 1797, states: — 



"The measures that have been taken to prepare the rigging and sails and to pro- 

 cure the necessary stores, and the advances made towards the final equipment of 

 the frigates render it probable that they may be got ready for sea in about two 

 months after being launched. While on this subject permit me to observe that if 

 Congress perceive advantages in the extension of their marine or think it expedient 

 that early precautions should be taken to secure to the United States a lasting fund 

 of live oak for future use, it will be proper that authority should be given for the 

 purpose, as well as to purchase a site for a navy yard. The probability is that an 

 article so important to maritime nations as live oak will be sought after with much 

 avidity; and that the land which is clothed with it may pass into hands that may 

 make its attainment hereafter more expensive if not impracticable." 



It may be of interest to note that out of the appropriation of 1799 the Navy De- 

 partment purchased the sites for the navy yards at Gosport (now Portsmouth, Va.), 

 Washington, D. C, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Charlestown, and Portsmouth, N. H., 

 and at the same time acquired Groner's Island, 350 acres, and Blackbeard's Island, 

 1,600 acres, for the purpose of obtaining a permanent supply of live oak. These 

 lands are at present still owned by the Department. 



The Secretary of War made the following statements of the progress made in 

 building the three frigates up to January, 1797: — 



U. S. S. UNITED STATES, 44 GUNS, BUILDING AT PHILADELPHIA. 



"The hull is all planked inside and out and all the principal decks are laid and 

 caulked, excepting a part of the gun deck. The upper deck beams are in and a part 

 of them kneed; about half of the bottom is dubbed off and a considerable part 

 caulked; the braces and pintles for the rother are all cast; the knees of the head to- 

 gether with the figure are nearly ready ; all other parts of the hull are in such for- 

 wardness that it is expected she may be launched by the beginning of April next, pro- 

 vided the winter does not prove severe. The rigging is all made and nearly fitted ; 

 the yarns for the cables are spun ; the anchors and iron ballast on hand ; and the 

 blocks, dead-eyes, water-casks, boats, lanthorns and all the tin work are provided. 

 The other materials are in part procured and the work in general progresses rapidly 

 towards completion." 



