Fordham Manor 345 



Among his achievements was the Dunderberg, built in 1864 

 for the United States Government, but afterwards sold to 

 France and renamed the Rochambeau, in honor of the great 

 French general, whose assistance was so invaluable to Washing- 

 ton, with whom he passed along these heights inspecting the 

 British positions in the summer of 1781. The Dunderberg 

 embodied many of the most recent ideas of naval architecture 

 for vessels of war, and was for many years the finest ship in 

 the French navy. 



The Academy was incorporated April 2, 1889, and the erec- 

 tion of the building was begun two years later. Upon its 

 completion, fully furnished, May 5, 1894, it was formally 

 presented to the trustees by its generous founder, together 

 with an endowment for its maintenance in perpetuity. The 

 first guest was admitted to the Home in October, 1893, and 

 the first student to the Academy in January, 1894. 



The objects of the institution, as announced by its founder, 

 are: 



"that it shall afford free relief and support to the aged, 

 indigent, or unfortunate men who have been engaged in build- 

 ing hulls of vessels, or marine engines for such, in any section 

 of the United States, together with the wives or widows of 

 such persons; and also to furnish to any young man, a native 

 or citizen of the United States, who may upon examination 

 prove himself competent, of good character, and worthy, a 

 gratuitous education in the art, science, and profession of ship- 

 building and marine engine building, both theoretical and 

 practical, together with board, lodging, and necessary imple- 

 ments and materials while obtaining such education." 



The Academy and the Home have both been in constant 

 use since their establishment, and classes of naval architects 

 have been graduated yearly from the institution. During 



