Life — September 4, 1884 — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

136 THE BARTHOLDI STATUE. Wt have received a communication from the Executive Committee of the Statue of Liberty relative to their present financial condition, which only our limited space pre- vents our publishing in full. Suffice it to say that we entirely agree with the Committee in the statement that it will be a national dishonor if the statue arrives in this country and we are found wanting in generosity to so great an extent that no fitting pedestal is furnished on which to place it. More than $125,000 is needed to complete the work already begun. The funds of the Committee are nearly exhausted, and the work must stop within thirty days unless public spirit and pa- triotism is widely aroused to finish it. Indifference to it is tantamount to national ingratitude and humiliation. We earnestly urge speedy consideration of this matter upon our public spirited citizens, and hope ere long to hear that they have responded nobly. All checks should be drawn to the order of H. F. Spauld- ing, Treasurer, and forwarded to the office of the American Committee of the Statue of Liberty, No. 55 Liberty Street. Because he 1s no better. [This outrage on the rules and regulations of the Asylum for Aged and decayed Pun- sters will be submitted for such action as the Inspector of Police may prudently deem proper. ] Mr. Smith (to Mrs. Parvenu who has been telling him about her new house I SUPPOSE YOU WILL HAVE DUMB-WAITERS IN TH Mrs, P.; NOVSHAD AND I VOWED THEN } SERVANT, I HAD A DEAF COOK ONCE, :VER TO HAVE ANOTHER CRIPPLED *LIFE- TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AT SEA. [From advance sheets of Any N. Y. paper.] TOTAL ANNIHILATION oF THE UNITED STATES NAVY. EPT. 18—: A most untoward accident befell the United States Navy this morning, while e route from the Brooklyn Navy yard to Newport, Rhode Island. The Secre- tary of the Navy was invited to attend the Lawn Tennis Party of Mrs. Clifton Seabreeze at Newport, and for fear of straining the present amicable relations between the Navy and the people at large, the Secretary deemed it advisable to accept the invitation, and, as one of the perquisites of his of- fice, summoned the United States Squadrons from all parts of the world to report at the Brooklyn Navy Yard by the 3oth day of August, to act as his transport from the Yard to New- port. Owing to the courtesy of the Cunard Line of steam- ers, our men-of-war in foreign waters were safely brought across the ocean, the more delicate of the vessels being safely stowed away in the hold, while the stronger ones able to bear the exposure of the sea were conveniently placed on the up- per deck of the Oregon, Capt. McMicken commanding. The officers and crew were kindly treated, and after a few weeks’ rest were able to receive the congratulations of their friends upon their safe arrival at home. The Pacific Squadron was forwarded by post in a large box, marked “ FRAGILE.” Orders having been delivered, the Secretary boarded the flag ship, bearing his pennant, and his luggage having been stowed away on the other vessels, the fleet started yesterday morning. Some annoyance was experienced at first by the disappearance of one of the Monitors, but she was found shortly, behind a bouy this side of Hell Gate. Everything went well until the fleet arrived off New London, when one of the Secretary's trunks, that containing his official corre- spondence, shifted, and the vessel on which it was careened and in a moment went to the bottom. She was quickly raised with the aid of an appropriation, which with rare foresight the Secretary had with him; and the Pilgrim, coming along at the moment, kindly offered to carry the unfortunate vessel to Newport. It would seem that this series of mishaps was sufficient, but the worst was yet to come; for just as the fleet was en- tering Newport Harbor the flag-ship was run into by the cat- boat of young Birkenhead Van Drake, who was enjoying his afternoon sail. The blow shattered the flag-ship, and she went to the bottom; and the other vessels, coming along with an unavoidable impetus, were wrecked one after the other, so that the United States are now shipless. With rare discipline the officers and crews of all of the vessels were saved. The only lives lost were those of the Secretary and a Skye terrier, who, being the only land lubbers on board, be- came somewhat excited, and heroically refused to leave their sinking craft. The loss of the vessels is not so great, but the fact that so many good officers and men are thrown out of employment comicbooks.com