148 OUR FIRST FRIGATES. 



U. S. S. CONSTITUTION, 44 GUNS, BUILDING AT BOSTON. 



"The whole of the frame is raised and is ready for planking. The wales are 

 prepared and it is expected will be on and fastened this month. The keelsons are 

 in their places and bolted off. The masts are now on hand and the boats are build- 

 ing; all the dead-eyes for lower and topmast on shrouds are made and stripped; the 

 knees for all the decks are procured as well as the beams, carlings, ledges, etc. ; iron 

 ballast sufficient is in store ; and the necessary materials for completing the hull are 

 procured and received. The hemp for the cables, rigging, etc., and blocks are in the 

 hands of the respective tradesmen manufacturing; and if the winter should prove 

 favorable there is no doubt but this ship may be launched in July next." 



U. S. S. CONSTELLATION, 36 GUNS, BUILDING AT BALTIMORE. 



"The whole of the frame is raised, the wales, black-strakes, flush, quarter and 

 fore drifts on and dressed off ; the ceiling, clamps for gun, lower and orlop decks are 

 all in and dubbed off; the beams are prepared and ready to be put into their re- 

 spective stations ; the bottom is now planking and the knees are getting ready for the 

 decks; other parts of the hull are progressing as fast as the workmen can be em- 

 ployed to advantage, and from present appearances this ship may be launched in 

 May next. The lower, topmast and topgallant shrouds with all their respective 

 stays are fitted and ready to go over the mastheads. The other rigging is also in 

 great forwardness. The boats are all built, the water-casks mostly made, together 

 with the blocks, dead-eyes, hearts, etc., etc. The cannon for the gun deck are all in 

 the navy yard, trimmed, and are ready for mounting in the carriages which are 

 made." 



The following sums were estimated as being necessary to complete the 

 frigates : — 



U. S. S. United States $S5,95o.oo 



U. S. S. Constitution 96,571.71 



U. S. S. Constellation 47,375.00 



It was also stated that the Department had sold perishable materials originally 

 acquired for the other three frigates for a total of $4,214.05. 



The work of completing the three frigates continued during the winter and 

 spring of 1797. On April 17 the Secretary of War wrote to Naval Constructor 

 Stodder at Philadelphia expressing his surprise that the Constellation could not be 

 launched until July and urging him to use all possible expedition and "at the same 

 time to be as frugal as possible in every part of the business." 



The letter-book has the following interesting entry: — 



