USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900 > Part 62
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Ist. All contracts for the principal mater- ials for construction and equipment had been made, under pursuance of law, under direction of the Secretary of the Treasury.
2nd. All labor and inferior materials, not otherwise provided by the Secretary of the Treasury, were to be procured by agents, who were to be allowed a compensation of two and a half per cent. upon money expended by them.
3rd. The captains of the frigates were to superintend the construction and equipment.
4th. A master builder or constructor was appointed at each yard, and also a clerk of the yard to receive, issue and account for all public property belonging to the ships. To each of these officers had been sent his special instruc- tions.
The Secretary concludes his report by stat- ing that at the time the work was commenced few or no materials for construction or equip- ment existed in their proper shape ; that every- thing. if not to be created, was to be modified ; the wood of which the frames were to be made was standing in the forests, the iron for cannon lying in its natural bed, and the flax and hemp probably in the seed ; but that vigorous meas- ures were being made for collecting the ma- terials and pushing on the work, and it was hoped that the ships would be afloat during the following year (1705).
The marine-yard at Gosport was lent to the government by the State of Virginia, and, as will be seen further on, it was not purchased by the United States until several years later. Capt. Richard Dale was appointed superin- tendent of the yard: Josiah Fox, naval con-
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structor or master builder : and William Pen- nock, navy agent.
Timber of sufficient size for the purpose re- quired was not to be had in the market, and the government was compelled to contract for live oak and red cedar, standing in the forests of Georgia, the government to cut the wood, and the contractors to haul it to navigable wat- ers. A large number of ship carpenters and choppers were sent out from New England. John T. Morgan, a master ship-builder of Bos- ton. was appointed to superintend the opera- tions of the party: to select the timber to be cut : cause it to be shaped by molds ; and to ship it north to the various yards. As the work could be done only at certain seasons, much de- lay was experienced, and the end of the year 1795 found not one of the frigates ready for launching.
In a report of the Secretary of War, dated December 12th of that year, it is stated that about two-thirds of the live oak frame of the frigate at Norfolk (Gosport) had been re- ceived, a part of the planking, the copper for sheathing and fastening. most of the iron work, the masts and spars, and the most of the other materials necessary were in store or being pre- pared. The keel had been laid and part of the frame bolted together and ready for raising.
On the establishment of peace, early in 1796, between the United States and Algiers. work was suspended upon the ship at this yard, and such of the materials collected as were thought perishable were sold, and the rest put in store. Mr. Pennock, the agent, being em- ployed to take charge of them. In June. 1797. the materials on hand at Gosport were valued at $52.989.
The breaking out of the war with France in 1798 gave a fresh impetus to the infant navy, and considerable sums of money were appro- priated by Congress for building, purchasing, or hiring vessels to be used against that repub- lic.
By an Act of Congress, approved April 30, 1798, a separate department was created for the administration of the affairs of the navy.
and Benjamin Stoddert was appointed the first Secretary of the Navy, George Cabot, of Massachusetts. having declined the appoint- illent.
In July, orders were sent to Mr. Pennock to recommence work on the frigate at Gosport. for which the name of "Chesapeake" had been chosen. During the same month, a brig of 200 tons, which had been built near the Navy Yard, by Mr. Herbert, and which was nearly ready for launching, was purchased by the govern- ment and fitted out, under the name of "Nor- folk." Capt. Thomas Williams, of Norfolk, was appointed superintendent, and afterward commander of the brig. being regularly com- missioned in the navy.
Josiah Fox, who had been discharged from the yard upon the suspension of work in March, 1796, was now reappointed as naval construc- tor and directed to proceed with the work upon the "Chesapeake" on a plan proposed by him- self. by which the size of the vessel was reduced from a 44 to a 36-gun ship. The following ex- tract of a letter from Mr. Stoddert to the navy agent, under date of August 17, 1798, will be of interest, as showing the reasons for reduc- ing the size of the ship. and which is referred to more particularly, as a distinguished naval his- torian has made a very different explanation of the matter in his efforts to correct history. Mr. Stoddert says:
"Believing that there will be occasion for this ship in the spring, doubting whether it would be possible to have her ready so early without materially altering hier dimensions and, indeed, not being entirely satisfied of the policy of increasing the size and expense of our frigates so far beyond what is known in Europe without increasing their force, I have determined. although the keel has been laid. to reduce the size of the frigate at Norfolk to the largest-sized frigates in the British Navy. This, Mr. Fox assures me, can be done with very great advantage, and with a prospect of finishing the ship in half the time it would take to complete her on the former scale, and with half the expense. In pursuance of this
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idea, I now enclose you the dimensions by which the frigate is to be built. The keel, al- ready laid, must of course be cut, and some al- terations must be made in the stern. This, Mr. Fox informs me, can be easily done. % * The greatest inconvenience will be in altering the molds. This, Mr. Fox says, he can do in full time after getting to Norfolk."
Considerable activity prevailed at the yard during the remainder of the year. A brig, "Augusta," was purchased by the citizens of Virginia, and presented to the government. It was named the "Richmond," and was fitted out under the command of Capt. Samuel Barron, who had served in the Virginia Navy during the Revolution.
The vessels of Commodore Truxton's squadron frequently resorted to the yard for repairs and supplies and to pay off their crews. We also find that large quantities of bread and of some other articles of provisions were fur- nished during the year and the next succeed- ing for other stations. The yard was also made a depot for the supply of masts and spars to cruising ships, and even to vessels fitting at Baltimore and Philadelphia.
By a report submitted to Congress by the Secretary of State March 2, 1799, it appears that commissions were issued for the district of Norfolk between July 9, 1798, and January I, 1799. to Io private armed vessels, amount- ing in the aggregate 65 guns.
On July 16, 1799, Commodore Samuel Bar- ron was ordered to duty as superintendent of the yard, Mr. Pennock, the agent, not having exercised the degree of economy which the Na- vy Department desired. In the following month, however, Commodore Barron was de- tached and ordered to the command of the "Constellation," at New York. In Novem- ber of the same year we find him again ordered to hold himself in readiness to superintend the "Chesapeake," which, contrary to the expecta- tions of the Secretary of the Navy, was not yet finished, but which was finally launched in the following month, to begin ler ill-fated ca- reer.
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The importance of the Gosport yard, par- ticularly as an equiping, recruiting and victual- ing station, had now become so well established that the Secretary of the Navy resolved to make it one of the permanent navy yards of the country. To this end he addressed the follow- ing letter to the Governor of Virginia, with a view to the purchase of the ground :
NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 20, 1800. Sir: The United States have heretofore occupied for navy purposes a piece of ground at Gosport belong- ing to the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is supposed to contain about ten acres .* The ground is considered to be very well situated for a permanent navy yard ; and if it should be so appropriated, it will be desirable to commence immediately some buildings for the ac- commodation of workmen and the security of timber. Permit me, therefore, by order of the President, to solicit the favor of Your Excellency to communi- cate to the Legislature of Virginia the desire of the Government of the United States to obtain this prop- erty, either by purchase or in such other way as the Legislature shall deem proper.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, Your Excellency's obedient servant,
BENJAMIN STODDERT. His Excellency JAMES MONROE, Esq. Governor of Virginia.
The request of the Secretary was promptly complied with and on the 25th of the same month the legislature passed an Act, of which the following is a transcript :
Chap. 64. An Act authorizing the Governor of this Commonwealth to convey to the United States, upon certain conditions, the property of this Common- wealth called Gosport.
Whereas it has been represented to the present General Assembly that the Government of the United States are desirous that certain lands the property of . this Commonwealth, commonly called and known by. the name of Gosport, should be vested in the United States, for the purpose of establishing a navy yard upon the same:
I. Be it enacted by the General assembly, That it shall and may be lawful for the Governor of this Commonwealth, and he is authorized to appoint some fit and proper person to meet such persons as shall be appointed on the part of the United States, to as- certain and fix the value of the property belonging to this Commonwealth, situate near the town of Ports- mouth, in the County of Norfolk, and commonly called and known by the name of Gosport. So soon as the . value of the property shall be ascertained, and the Governor shall be satisfied the Government of the
*The yard really contained about 16 acres.
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United States are willing to pay the amount thereof to this Commonwealth, then, and in that case, it shall be lawful for the Governor of this Commonwealth, and he is hereby authorized, for and in behalf of this Com- monwealth, by proper deed in writing, under his hand and the seal of the Commonwealth, to convey, transfer, assign and make over to the United States, all interest in and title to, as well as all the jurisdiction which this Commonwealth possesses over. the public lands com- mionly called and known by the name of Gosport, be- fore mentioned, for the purpose of establishing a navy yard: Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to prevent the officers of this State from executing any process whatever within the juris- diction hereby directed to be ceded.
II. And be it further enacted, That in case the Government of the United States shall at any time hereafter abandon the design of establishing a navy vard at the place hereby ceded to the United States, or, after the establishment thereof, shall discontinue the same. then, and in that case, the property in the soil and the jurisdiction over the territory directed to be vested in the United States shall revert to this Coommonwealth, and shall be considered as the prop- erty and subject to the jurisdiction of the same, in like manner as if this Act had never been made: Provided, That in such case this Commonwealth will repay the Government of the United States the sum or sums paid by the United States in consideration of the cession hereby directed to be made.
This Act shall commence and be in force from and after the passing thereof.
In accordance with the requirements of the above quoted law. Thomas Newton. Jr .. Esq., was appointed on behalf of the State of Virginia, and by an order dated 7th of April. 1800, William Pennock was appointed to act on the part of the United States to ascertain. with Mr. Newton, the value of the lands re- quired. In a letter bearing the same date, the Secretary of the Navy enjoined the greatest economy on the part of Mr. Pennock, informed him that the only funds available out of which the property could be paid for were those ap- propriated for the building of the "74-gun ships." * He also intimated to Mr. Newton that the less the amount paid for the property, the more there would be available for improve- ments and suggested $100 per acre as a fair valuation.
In a report to the President, dater April 25.
1800, Mr. Stoddert in recommending the es- tablishment of permanent navy yards, to be the property of the United States, remarks that a large part of the expense of building the frigates arose from handling the timber, ow- ing to the confined space in which it was piled -enough, he thinks, to have purchased ground and have improved it. He states that the ground at Gosport had recently been ceded to the United States on condition of the pay- ment of its value, which he hopes will not ex- ceed $2,000.
To the surprise of the Secretary the value assigned to the land was $12,000, or $750 per acre. In a letter addressed to Mr. Pennock on the 7th of August, Mr. Stoddert expresses the opinion that the ground should have been given to the government without charge, but that it must be taken at the valuation named, though he considered it exorbitant. He also directs Mr. Pennock to have prepared plans for improving the timber-dock, a creek making up into the yard, and which was then used as such.
On January 24. 1801, $12,000 were remit- ted to John Hopkins, of Richmond, Virginia, to be paid to the State, as the purchase money of the Gosport lands, and under date of the 15th of June, 1801, a deed was executed by Governor Monroe, by which the title and jur- isdiction of the property were conveyed to the United States.
In a report submitted to the House of Rep- resentatives April 27. 1802. by Mr. Mitchell, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, that gentleman stated that $12.000 had been ex- pended for purchase and $4.000 for improve- ments at Gosport without authority of law. Under date of March 10. 1802, Mr. Mitchell, from the same committee, reported that, in the opinion of the committee, Gosport and Charles- town, Massachusetts, from the improvements already made, and from other circumstances .. were the most eligible places for receiving and repairing the ships in actual service : and that. should any additional improvements be neces- sary at those places, they ought to be made.
*See Act of Congress approved February 25. 1799. for "The augmentation of the Navy." and which, among other provisions, authorized the construction of six ships, to be armed with not less than 74 guns each. 25
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He also recommended the appointment of suit- able persons to make plans for improving those yards and the appropriation of $50,000 to carry the plans into effect.
The $4,000 above referred to as having been expended in improvements at Gosport had been used to build a spar-shed, timber- shed, a bridge across a creek which separated the yard from the rest of Gosport at that time (outside of where the present wall stands), and probably in part for wooden wharves along the water-front, and a fence around the prop- erty.
We find mention of vessels laying up, re- pairing and fitting out at this yard in 1800, 1801 and 1802. In 1801 a squadron under Commodore Dale fitted out. On the 27th of July, 1801, orders were sent to heave dozen the "Chesapeake" for repairs.
In October, 1801. a marine guard was sent to the Gosport yard. and the navy agent was directed to furnish its members with quarters. It is probable that the wooden barrack-build- ing which stood on about the same site that the brick barracks were afterward built upon was erected for the purpose.
In April, 1802, Mr. Pennock recommended the building of a storehouse for provisions, etc., . within the yard. Up to that time, private ware- houses had been hired for the use of the navy stores.
On April 26, 1802, Mr. Pennock was re- moved and Daniel Bedinger was appointed navy agent and superintendent of the Navy Yard.
In May, 1802, a circular order was ad- dressed by the Department to navy agents in- forming them that specific appropriations had been made for the expenses of the navy, and that, among other items, $190,575 had been appropriated for the purchase and transporta- tion of timber and other materials, including ordnance for the 74-gun ships and $50.000 for improvements of navy yards.
In April, 1803, $10,000 were sent to Mr. Bedinger to build a warehouse and a timber- shed at Gosport. We find by the correspond-
ence of a little later date that, instead of ex- pending the money for the purpose authorized, Mr. Bedinger built with it, first, a brick wall, beginning a short distance from the waterside, running along the north front of the yard and down the west side of the creek which formed the southern boundary, and part of which forms the present timber-basin, secondly, a brick dwelling house for himself within the yard and which was afterward for many years used as the commandant's house, and with what money was left, a very indifferent shed for timber, and a warehouse, which afterward had to be taken down to prevent its falling.
On August 6, 1804, an order was sent to Mr. Bedinger detaching the marine guard from the Navy Yard and ordering it to Washington.
In May, 1805, Bedinger was ordered to re- pair the wharves, which had been represented | by a citizen as being much out of order. We find, under date of February 6, 1806, a report from Thomas Turner, accountant of the navy, in which that gentleman states that $42,748.78 had been expended in improvements and re- pairs at this yard, and vet, except, the wall, scracely anything of permanent value seems to have been done. The wharves were, and continued to be for many years later, of wood, and of course, in waters infested with the Teredo navalis, were constantly requiring ex- tensive repairs, and even complete renewal. During the summer of 1806 we find several gunboats and ketches fitting out and laying up, under the direction of Lieut. Arthur Sinclair.
On the 28th of November. 1806, Capt. Stephen Decatur was ordered to superintend the building of four gunboats at Norfolk. He seems to have supeceded Lieut. Sinclair in his duties also, although that officer contimed on duty under him. In July, 1807, Mr. Bedin- ger was ordered to contract for materials for IO additional gunboats and, a little later, to contract for building the same. Captain De- catur was ordered to superintend the construc- tion. We now find Captain Decatur addressed by the Department as "Commanding naval forces at Norfolk," and he appears to have
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continued this command until November, 1811 ; part of the time his force consisting of the frigate "United States," which he himself com- manded, and of such gunboats and other ves- sels as were from time to time put into com- mission. He appears, however, to have had no immediate charge of the Navy Yard, which continued under the control of the navy agent.
In November. 1807, a marine guard was again ordered to the yard. On February 10. 1808. Bedinger's appointment was revoked and Theodore Armistead appointed in his place as navy agent and superintendent of the Navy Yard. We now find complaints lodged against Bedinger for having used the public wharves and property in repairing his own vessels, though whether these charges were substantiated does not appear.
The agents up to this time seem not to have been required to give bonds, and in fact to have been held very little responsible for their acts, the Department having no military control over them.
In March, 1808, Mr. Armistead was au- thorized to contract for 50 tons of native hemp and to have made it into cordage for the navy. The work was done by private manufacturers, however, and not at the yard. In April of the same year authority was sent to Mr. Armistead to build a new timber-shed and a warehouse.
In May, 1809, an order was sent to build a powder magazine in the yard. This stood near the creek (afterward the timber-basin ).
In June. I810, on account of the uncertain relations with Great Britain, a small cruising squadron was ordered to Norfolk under the command of Commodore Decatur.
On July 7th of the same year the Depart- ment having become tired of the practice of operating the Navy Yard under irresponsible civil administration, ordered Commodore Sam- uel Barron as commandant of the yard. the gunboats, the officers and men. The navy agent was, however, still continued as purchas- ing and disbursing agent and as such in charge of "all stores other than military." The fol- lowing letter, addressed to Commodore Bar-
ron by the Secretary of the Navy, is of some interest as being the first instructions to the commandant :
NAVY DEPARTMENT. September 29. 1810. Sir: In defining your duties and your authority in the yard at Gosport, it will be sufficient for me to state that all the military stores of every description will be under your care; that the direction of all im- provements in the yard, and of all reparations to our vessels at the yard are committed to you; and that within the yard you are to have the entire undivided command.
The navy agent, as heretofore, will have the charge of all stores other than military, and he must have a warehouse at the yard for their safe-keeping, with per- fect liberty of ingress and egress.
PAUL HAMILTON.
The house which has been mentioned as having been built by Mr. Bedinger was as- signed to Commodore Barron as a residence. It was at the time occupied by the storekeeper or clerk of the yard, an eccentric person of the name of Thomas Dulton, an ex-shipmaster. Although the navy agent was nominally super- intendent of the yard, Captain Dulton had been in immediate charge of it for some years, performing all sorts of offices therein, ringing the bell, and mustering the workmen himself. Many singular anecdotes of him are preserved among the traditions of the yard. His will was admitted to probate on the 18th of June, 1823. It was an odd paper. He directed a heart-pine coffin tarred on the outside and no other ornament. He recommended and com- manded as far as he could that no branch of his family go into or wear mourning as "I am an enemy of hypocrisy.'
Commodore Barron had scarcely entered upon his command when on the 29th of Octo- ber. 1810, he was overtaken by death. Lieut. Robert Henley, under date of November 10th, was ordered to assume temporary command of the yard until a relief should be ordered.
In May, 1811. Capt. Samuel Evans was ordered as commandant and from that time we find lieutenants, masters, medical officers, boatswains and gunners attached to the yard and to the vessels in ordinary.
Captain Evans continued in command un-
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til August 10, 1812, when Capt. John Cassin was ordered to relieve him. Captain Cassin had, as lieutenant and master commandant. been for several years attached to the Navy Yard at Washington, part of the time as s11- perintendent and part of the time second in command. The Department seems to have re- garded him as a valuable dockyard officer, and the pay and allowances of a captain command- ing a separate squadron were given him in his new position, although he was almost the junior captain on the list when ordered to the command.
On the laying of the embargo in April, 1812, we find Commodore Decatur's squadron again at Norfolk, and he was ordered by the Department with the vessels under his com- mand and with the gunboats ordered to be fitted out at the Navy Yard, to prevent vessels sailing from the Chesapeake without regular clearances. A few days later we find him or- dered to leave the enforcement of the embargo to the gunboats, under the direction of Cap- tain Evans, and to cruise to the eastward with his squadron.
On the 21st of May, 1812, Commodore De- catur's squadron was ordered to New York in anticipation of war with Great Britain, which. on the 18th of June, was formally de- clared.
The only force at Norfolk at this time con- sisted of 21 gunboats, the greater part of which were fitted out and used for harbor defense. On the 14th of July, an order was sent to Cap- tain Evans, limiting the complement of men of each gunboat to eight exclusive of officers, or just enough to exercise the guns and inform- ing him that in case of emergency he must rely upon volunteers to bring the crews up to an efficient number. This order greatly impaired the usefulness of the gunboats a little later, as it was found impossible to procure volunteers to serve in them.
In August, as above stated. Captain Evans was relieved by Captain Cassin. Very little of interest occurred during the remainder of the year. In October a blacksmith's shop was |of Captain Stewart and his officers and crew.
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