Facing - Plate 9 - Panoramic View of the Fleet.

EXPLANATION OF THE VIEW.

----------------------------------------

----------------------------------------

The Subscriber, in compliance with the request of the Honorable R. RIKER Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements for celebrating the Union of the waters of the Lakes with the Ocean;

That, having been appointed by the Honorable the Corporation, to superintend the Grand Naval Fete, to be given in commemoration of the completion of the Erie Canal, and to command the Fleet which was to convey the first Canal-boats from Lake Erie; from their entrance into the tide waters of the Hudson to the Atlantic Ocean, and back to the City: being aware of the difficulties attending the important charge, I waited upon the proprietors of the different Steam-boats, the Officers of the Marine and Nautical Societies, the Wardens of the Port, Harbour Masters, Pilots, and Bargemen, to consult respecting the manner in which this interesting ceremony should be creditably and properly performed. Finding that all these Gentlemen were animated by one feeling, a Meeting was held and Sub-Committees appointed, who waited on Commodore Chauncey at the Navy Yard, to ascertain how far the Officers of the Navy would assist on the occasion. That Gentleman evinced the greatest possible patriotism by assuring us that he would do every thing in his power to forward our views, and cheerfully acquiesced in the plan which had been proposed.

It was determined that Capt. Whetten, President of the Marine Society and myself (representing the Marine Department), should repair to Albany in order that we might board the first Canal-boat on her entrance into the tide-waters of the Hudson; - that the Steam-boats plying on the North River (which had been unanimously offered for the occasion) should form the escorting Fleet from Albany to New York; - that the Steam-boats belonging to the City should form a second fleet, to unite with the former on their reaching the City, and that the frigate Cyane would be dressed at the Navy Yard, where Commodore Chauncey and the Officers of the Navy were to come on board of the Flag-ship; - the Fleet then to proceed to the Battery, where the steam-boats Washington having on board the Honorable the Corporation, and the Fulton and the Lady Clinton with their Guests, together with the City Fleet of Steam-boats, should join us, at the same time the Barges belonging to the Whitehall Watermen, were to take their station; - that then we should be met by a Ship, prepared by the Marine and Nautical Societies, which was to lead us on the way to the Ocean; - that the Revenue Cutter after firing a salute, should precede the Line, and immediately thereafter a squadron of Pilot-boats should approach, hail us, and offer a Pilot to conduct the Fleet to the Ocean, where the United States Schooner Porpoise was to be anchored the preceding night, and the "Deputation from Neptune" to greet us on our arrival in his Dominions.

THE COMMITTEES WERE

Messrs. ROBERT L. LIVINGSTON and JOHN TOWNSEND, in behalf of the North River Steamboat Company.

Messrs. CALEB HORTON and RICHARD S. WILLIAMS, for the Fulton Steam-boat Company.

Messrs. N.C. GRIFFITH, ANTHONY N. HOFFMAN, MICHAEL VAN BEUREN, WM. ROE, and THOMAS BROOKS, on the part of the Hudson River Company.

Mr. S.H. HERRICK, for the Troy Steam-boat Company.

MR. WM. C. REDFIELD, for the Steam Navigation Company.

Captains JOHN WHETTEN, JAMES LOVETT, and WM. M'INTIRE, of the Marine Society.

Captains M.R. BURKE, T.B. VERMILYE, S. CANDLER, S.C. REID, and C. STUBBS, of the Nautical Society.

Captains GEORGE COFFIN and OBED. SMITH, on the part of the Wardens of the Port.

Captain JOHN MINUGH, on the part of the Harbour Masters.

Captains DAVID MITCHELL and ISRAEL NAVARRO, on the part of the Pilots.

Messrs. CHARLES MAGNES and ALFRED COMMEYER, on the part of the Whitehall Watermen.

The necessary arrangements being completed, and signals and instructions prepared for every vessel belonging to the Fleet, Captain Whetten and myself repaired to Albany, and arrived there on the second instant in time to board the first Canal-boat from Lake Erie, "The Seneca Chief," immediately before her entrance into the tide-waters of the Hudson.

On the morning of the third instant, the fleet of Steam-boats, which by making extra trips, had assembled on this occasion, and which were superbly dressed with flags of every description, (the Chancellor Livingston having been selected as the Flag-ship and to receive the Guests of the Corporation,) dropped out from the wharves, and prepared to form in Line. At this moment the steam-boat Chief Justice Marshall arrived from Troy, having in tow the Canal-boat "Niagara of Black Rock," which had entered the Hudson at that place, and now came to join the Fleet.

The Canal-boats having been taken in tow, the Squadron formed in Line, and consisted of the following vessels: -

1. The CHANCELLOR LIVINGSTON, Captain T.S. Lockwood, which bore the Flag of the State of New York, and towed the Canal-boat "Seneca Chief" of Buffalo. On board of the Chancellor, His Excellency Governor Clinton; Lieutenant-Governor Tallmadge; the Hon. S. Van Rensselaer, and the other Canal Commissioners and Engineers; the Officers of the State, and Committees from Albany and the West; and the different Committees from the City, were embarked.

2. The CONSTITUTION, Captain A. Bartholomew, having in tow the Canal-boat "Young Lion of the West" from Rochester.

3. The CHIEF JUSTICE MARSHALL, Captain R.W. Sherman, with the Canal-boat "Niagara of Black Rock" in tow.

4. The CONSTELLATION, Captain R.G. Cruttenden.

5. The SWIFTSURE, Captain H. Stocking.

6. The RICHMOND, Captain W.L. Cochran.

7. The OLIVE BRANCH, Captain H. Moore, having in tow the barge Matilda.

8. The SARATOGA, Captain James Benson, acting as tender to the fleet.

These vessels were all splendidly adorned with flags and streamers, and amply supplied with bands of martial music.

The wharves and piers of Albany were crowded with spectators, and after being saluted by artillery, and cheered by the citizens, which was returned by the Fleet, the whole squadron got under way, and proceeded down the river. The day was remarkably fine, and the gay drapery of the different vessels flowing in the breeze as they glided through the Islands, or passed the different turns of the River, presented a grand and imposing spectacle. The shores were every where lined with spectators, and at all the landings artillery was stationed to fire salutes, which were cheerfully returned by the Fleet. At times, as the river permitted, they formed symetrically in squadron, at others, (and particularly in passing Towns or Landings,) they were in line.

On reaching Hudson, and discovering that the fine rising ground which there borders the River, was filled with spectators, I made signal for the Fleet to stop their engines, and drift down with the tide; Artillery was placed on the brow of Prospect Hill where salutes were fired, as well as from Athens on the opposite side of the river. After returning the salutes, the bands playing national airs and the sky rent with cheers, the Fleet proceeded on the Voyage. The scene here was decidedly one of the most magnificent witnessed on the river.

At every landing ceremonies nearly similar were performed; the shore was every where lined with multitudes of spectators, and the whole mass of our population seemed to be animated by one feeling on this occasion. The Canal-boat "Young Lion of the West" had a small cannon on board, and aided the Steam-boats in returning the various salutes.

When we reached Hudson, the first Sea-port on our voyage down, I was forcibly struck with the circumstance of the "Young Lion" coming from a flourishing town far in the interior, (and the location of which all of us remember being in the bosom of the wilderness,) thus complying with nautical etiquette; it was an extraordinary proof of the enterprise which characterises our country, and further shews that our colonists carry with them in their pioneering excursions, that polity of manners and knowledge of society, which so eminently distinguish the new settlements of this State.

In the afternoon, complimentary visits were exchanged between the different boats. Before we reached Staatsburgh it was dark, but on approaching the manor of James D. Livingston, Esq. the patriotism of that gentleman was signally displayed by having his house splendidly illuminated, which, from the Fleet, had a most brilliant and -beautiful effect.

Poughkeepsie and Newburgh were also illuminated, and the Fleet fired salutes, and sent up some large rockets. At most of the landings, and along the banks of the river, tar-barrels and bonfires were burning.

It was past midnight when we reached West Point, the night being uncommonly dark; the Officers of that Station, with their excellent band, were on the Wharf, and immediately on their coming on board, a national salute was fired from the heaviest Artillery, and some Rockets sent up; the compliment was returned by the Fleet, and again repeated from the shore. The scene, from the darkness of the night, - the effect of the rockets, - and the reverberating echo of the Artillery among the mountains, was one of the most sublime ever witnessed.

The Fleet then pursued its course, and came to anchor near the City, sometime before day-light.

The necessary arrangements being made, they got under way early on the morning of the fourth, and received a national salute of twenty-four guns, from a detachment of Artillery placed at the North Battery. Shortly thereafter they were met by the elegant Steam-boat Washington, Captain Elihu S. Bunker, bearing the large Flag of the City; she approached the Flag-ship and hailed "From whence came ye?" to which the Commander of the Fleet replied, "An escort from Lake Erie." "Where bound?" "To the Atlantic - what vessel is that?" "The Yacht of the City of New York, having on board a deputation from the Honourable the Corporation, to welcome you into our waters, congratulate you on this great event, and offer the hospitalities of the City." "We highly appreciate this mark of civility on the part of the City, and request the Deputation from the Honorable Corporation to come on board. I will send barges to convey them to the Flag-ship.

Aldermen Cowdrey, Webb, Agnew, and Hedden (accompanied by the Officers of the Governor's Guard,) being conveyed on board the Chancellor Livingston, were introduced to his Excellency Governor Clinton, Lieutenant-Governor Tallmadge, the Canal Commissioners, Engineers, and the Committees from Albany and the West. Alderman Cowdrey delivered a neat and very appropriate address, to which Governor Clinton replied in his usual happy style.

The ceremony being ended, the Fleet passed the British Sloops of War Swallow, Thomas Baldock Esq. Commander, and Kingfisher, James Henderson, Esq. Commander, having the American Flag at the fore-top-gallant-masts, and being dressed for the occasion, they fired a salute which the Fleet returned, and then bore up for the East River. On passing the Revenue Cutter Alert, Captain Henry Cahoone, she fired a salute, and when we passed the Battery a national salute was fired by a detachment of Artillery placed there by General Benedict; and we received another salute from the Whitehall Watermen, who had placed four guns on Pier No. 1 East River.

On reaching the Navy Yard we found the United States Frigate Cyane beautifully dressed for the occasion; a national salute was fired, and Commodore Chauncey with the Officers of the Navy repaired on board the Flag-ship, in the barges belonging to the Navy Yard.

From thence the Fleet returned to the Battery, where they were joined by the Washington, having on board his Honor the Mayor and the Corporation with their Guests (amounting to eight hundred persons); the Fulton Captain Robert S. Bunker, the Providence Captain Charles Tomlinson with other Guests of the Corporation; and the Steam-boat Commerce Captain Seymour, having in tow the barge Lady Clinton, which boat had been appropriated for the Ladies invited by the Corporation. She was superbly adorned with evergreens and flowers, and was crowded with the beauty and fashion of the City.

The Fulton, Captain R.S. Bunker, joined the Chancellor Livingston, so that Boats bearing the names of those distinguished Citizens of New York, who originally introduced Steam-boats, should have the honor of towing the first Canal-boat to the Ocean. Immediately thereafter the Watermen of Whitehall, in their pretty light boats, tastefully decorated, joined the Fleet, and took their stations in the following order: -

1. THE LADY OF THE LAKE, Messrs. Charles Magnes and John S. Magnes.

2. DESPATCH, Messrs. Cornelius and Alfred Commeyer.

3. EXPRESS, Messrs. Wm. Wilds and Wm. Gibson.

4. BRANDYWINE, Messrs. I. Henry and M. Fairchilds.

5. SYLPH, Messrs. A. Hamilton and P. Fairchilds.

6. ACTIVE, Messrs. J.C. Cully and W. Faight.

7. WHITEHALL, JUN. Messrs. J. Chadwick and J. Williams.

A little farther the ship Hamlet, commanded by Captain I.G. Collins, President of the Nautical Society, elegantly decorated with Flags, and having on board the Members of the Marine and Nautical Societies, hailed us, and after interchanging the usual nautical ceremonies, was invited to lead the Fleet to the Atlantic. At this moment the City fleet of steam-boats came up in admirable order, and took their station in the Line, as follows; -

The revenue cutter Alert, Captain Cahoone, then fired another salute, and was requested by the Commander of the Fleet, to precede it to the ocean. Shortly thereafter the pilot-boats Grand Canal, Ulysses, William Bayard, and Gratitude, handsomely dressed, approached the Fleet, and after the customary nautical enquiries, offered their services to conduct us to our destination: a pilot was sent on board, and the boats requested to take their stations, flanking the squadron.

The weather being nearly calm, it became necessary to tow the ship, cutter, and pilot-boats. On signal being made, steam-boats repaired from the Fleet, and immediately brought the vessels which could only be propelled by canvas, into their proper stations. National salutes were fired from Governor's Island, by the Detachment of Artillery at the Battery; and by the Watermen at Pier No. 1, East River. The Fleet then proceeded to the sea.

As it progressed, preserving the utmost regularity in the manœuvres, the scene was one which the pen cannot describe, and the pencil barely delineate. It is believed a more splendid spectacle was never beheld; it had more the appearance of a fairy scene, than any in which mortals are engaged.

On passing Fort La Fayette, a national salute was fired, and returned by the Fleet. Aldermen King and Taylor, a Deputation from the Corporation, then came on board the Chancellor Livingston, to conduct his Excellency the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and all the Committees, on board of the Washington.

On reaching the Ocean, the United States schooner Porpoise, Lieutenant-Commander Zantzinger, (which had been sent down the night before expressly for the purpose,) met us as a "Deputation from Neptune." She fired a salute, and immediately the whole Fleet formed a circle around her, of about three miles in circumference.

His Excellency, Governor Clinton, then proceeded to perform the ceremony of commingling the waters of Lake Erie with those of the Atlantic. On board of the Seneca Chief, two elegant kegs, beautifully painted in green with gilded hoops, were brought down, containing "Water of Lake Erie:" from one of those the Governor poured a portion of the water into the sea; and after delivering a short, but very pertinent Address, thus consummated the ceremony.

The Recorder and Committee of the Corporation, conducted his Honor the Mayor, the Honorable C.D. Colden, who delivered to the Mayor a Memoir concerning the Erie Canal; and Doctor Mitchill, from a number of bottles, containing water from every part of the world, poured their contents into the sea, as emblematical of our commercial intercourse with all the nations of the earth; after which the learned Doctor delivered a long and interesting discourse.

At the moment the ceremony was performing, a large ship (the Canton, Captain Lewis,) hove in sight, and observing the beautiful Fleet, fired a salute, which had an admirable effect.

Immediately preceding the ceremony I addressed the Governor, and stated that I had a request to make, which I was certain would afford his Excellency great pleasure to comply with. I requested permission to preserve a portion of the water to be used on this great occasion, in order to sent it to our distinguished friend, and late illustrious visitor, Major-General La Fayette; and for that express purpose, Messrs. George Dummer and Co. had prepared some bottles of American manufacture, and that Mr. Duncan Phyfe was to make boxes, to contain them, out of a piece of wood, then on board of the Seneca Chief. His Excellency cheerfully granted the request, and thanked me cordially for having thought of the measure.

By arrangements made between Major-General Fleming, Grand Marshal conducting the Procession on shore, and the Commander of the Fleet, a constant communication was kept up, by means of the Telegraph under the charge of Captain John Greene, so that the proceedings of each were immediately conveyed to the other.

The Porpoise then fired another salute, and the ceremony being concluded, the Fleet (preceeded by the Porpoise, towed by two of the finest steam-boats,) circuitously and in beautiful order, fell into line and returned to the City; on passing Fort La Fayette it was again saluted. The day was uncommonly fine and warm, and every manœuvre was performed by the different vessels in most admirable order. As the Fleet passed Governor's Island, it again received a national salute.

The Fleet then wore round, passed up the East River to Pier No. 1, (where the Watermen again fired a salute,) and landed the passengers in time to join the City Procession, which had reached the Battery. Not the smallest accident occurred during this interesting day, and it is believed that every one landed fully satisfied with the excursion; and agreeably surprised at the splendid display which they had witnessed.

The tonnage of the steam-boats alone, employed on this occasion, amounted to six thousand tons; and the number of passengers on board of the Fleet was estimated at seven thousand.

The Canal-boat Seneca Chief, had on board a cargo of pot ashes, from Detroit, Sandusky, Erie, and Buffalo; white fish, from Lake Erie; flour and butter, from Michigan, Ohio, and Buffalo; and some bird's-eye maple, and cedar wood, ordered by the Corporation, for the purpose of making boxes, for the medals to be struck on the occasion.

There was also brought with her an Indian canoe, made by the Aborigines inhabiting the shores of Lake Superior, which was presented by Mr. Thaddeus Joy of Buffalo, to the subscriber, who has deposited it in the City Hall, to be preserved as a memorial of the event.

The Young Lion of the West, was loaded with flour in half-barrels, butter, apples, &c. and had on board a quantity of cedar tubs and pails, of very elegant workmanship, manufactured in a peculiar manner, at a new establishment in Rochester, and some brooms of a superior quality; and had on deck a collection of wolves, foxes, racoons, and other living animals of the forest.

The Niagara's cargo consisted of furs, flour in half-barrels, butter, and apples.

The cabins of all these boats were elegantly fitted up, and afforded every possible accommodation to the passengers.

To reciprocate the attention of our friends in Buffalo, a superb keg, made by Mr. Alexander Wiley, having the arms of the City painted on it, and elegantly ornamented by Mr. Peter B. Lamont, was filled with "water of the Atlantic" and sent back in the Seneca Chief, to enable the citizens on the shores of Erie to complete the ceremonies, by mingling the waters of the briny deep, with those of the Lake. Messrs. Wiley and Lamont displayed their patriotism by declining to receive any compensation for their services: indeed the whole mass of our population seemed to be animated by one patriotic impulse on the memorable occasion.

This faint outline of the splendid scene, is respectfully submitted in compliance with your request, but I feel myself inadequate to the task of giving a correct description of what you then beheld. The drawing furnished by Mr. Archibald Robertson, (taken at the moment the Fleets were uniting,) and the Diagram which I annex, of the Fleet when passing the British Sloops of War, will serve in some measure, to elucidate the description.

The Commanders of the different steam-boats are entitled to the utmost praise, for the able manner in which the various evolutions were performed, and for the excellent discipline preserved on board; and I acknowledge myself under particular obligations to Captain Samuel Wiswall (who commanded the first steam-boat built by Messrs. Livingston and Fulton), for his assistance on board of the Flag-ship, to Mr. Richard Powell who acted as Signal Officer, and to Captain Elihu S. Bunker, who (assisted by Mr. Samuel Townsend,) took charge of the details of the City Fleet, whilst I repaired to Albany to receive the Canal-boats.

To Commodore Chauncey, Lieutenant-Commandant Zantzinger, the Officers of the Navy, and the Gentlemen composing the different Committees I feel much indebted for the efficient aid they were pleased to afford me.

I endeavoured to exercise my best abilities in rendering the scene creditable to the City, and worthy of the great and mementous occasion, which called forth our exertions; if I succeeded in doing that justice, and in meriting the approbation of the Honorable the Corporation, my efforts will not have been in vain.

----------------------------------------

TO

COMMODORE CHAUNCEY, AND THE OFFICERS OF THE NAVY; CAPTAIN HENRY CAHOONE, OF THE REVENUE CUTTER ALERT; THE PRESIDENTS AND COMMITTEES OF THE MARINE AND NAUTICAL SOCIETIES; THE WARDENS OF THE PORT, AND HARBOUR MASTERS, THE PILOTS AND BARGEMEN OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK; AND THE COMMANDERS OF THE STEAM-BOATS WHICH COMPOSED THE FLEET, ESCORTING THE FIRST CANAL-BOATS FROM LAKE ERIE TO THE OCEAN.

GENTLEMEN,

Permit me, thus publicly, to express my grateful acknowledgements for the very efficient aid you were pleased to afford me, in making the necessary arrangements for conducting the splendid Fleet, on Friday last, to the Ocean.

The promptness with which every arrangement was executed, and the extreme regularity in which every manœuvre was performed, evinced a degree of discipline only surpassed by the patriotic feelings you displayed on the occasion.

----------------------------------------

Transcribed from the original text and html prepared by Bill Carr, last updated 5/25/99.