Connecticut Journal, March 10, 1808
On Saturday last the citizens of Marietta had the exquisite pleasure of beholding a scene at once grand and sublime, which added a new lustre to the increasing enterprize and industry of our infant country. About three o'clock P.M. the beautiful brig Rufus Putnam, 165 tons burthen, was launched from the ship-yard of Col. Abner Lord - owned by Mr. Joseph Nye, of Boston. The stile of the workmanship does great honor to the builder, Mr. Whittington McGrath. This vessel was commenced late in the season, but by the indefatigable perseverance of those concerned in her erection, she was ready for launching as soon as the state of the water rendered it prudent.
About half past three, the elegant ship Frances glided into her destined element from the ship-yard of Benjamin Ives Gilman, Esq., and built by Mr. James Whitney. In point of elegance and mechanism, she will not suffer by a comparison with any merchant vessel ever built in the United States - Burthen 350 tons.
In a few minutes after, the fine ship Robert Hale, of 294 tons, struck the water. She also was launched from Mr. Gilman's Yard, and built by Mr. Whitney. She is equal in every respect to the Frances.
It affords us much pleasure to state that the above vessels were launched in perfect safety, amid the joyful acclamations of an admiring crowd of citizens. The river was in excellent order, and it seemed as if all Nature was pleased at the prospect, and contributed to facilitate the event and harmonize the scene; for the Sun, which had for some time before obnubilated by a misty atmosphere, towards the close of the day burst forth in all its splendour and shed the most soul cheering radiance over our youthful harbour!
Vain would be our attempts to portray in its true colours the splendour and sublimity of the scene, than which one more pleasing and gratifying to our citizens could not be exhibited. The glowing pencil of a Hogarth, though "dipt in dreams," could not present to the imagination a picture more replete with novelty and grandeur. To see emerging from the bosom of the wilderness, a fleet of ships, rivalling in architecture and elegance the finest productions of any of the Atlantic States.
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