The figurehead of the Delaware is a part of the tradition of the United States Naval Academy. It is mounted on a stone pedestal facing Bancroft Hall.
To every graduate of the Academy, there is a certain amount of sentiment connected with this figurehead which represents an Indian chief known by the midshipmen as "Tecumseh," the god of "2.5" (the lowest satisfactory mark in any subject in the curriculum).
The object of this article is to clear up any doubts as to the identity of the Indian chief portrayed by the figurehead, and the letters which follow are copies of official documents and are therefore authentic.
UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY,
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND,
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH,
February 17, 1914.
From: Committee on Memorials and Exhibits (Commander C. F. Preston, Senior Member)
To: The Superintendent, U. S. Naval Academy.
Subject: Facts concerning the figurehead of the United States Ship of the Line "DELAWARE."
1. At the suggestion of the Superintendent of the U. S. Naval Academy, we have obtained the authentic data regarding this interesting and historic relic from the Navy Department archives through the co-operation of Chief Constructor R. M. Watt, U. S. N., to whom thanks are extended.
2. Instead of writing a résumé of the facts established, we think it best to publish in the U. S. Naval Institute copies of authentic official letters which in themselves would be interesting to all graduates of the Naval Academy, besides giving a complete history of the figurehead of the U. S. Ship of the Line Delaware.
3. The letters are hereto attached.
4. If approved by you, the article will be published as outlined in paragraph 2 of this letter.
C. F. PRESTON.
154-14-I Feb. 19, 1914.
Approved,
W. F. Fullam Captain,
U. S. Navy,
Superintendent
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR,
Refer to No. 1687-A. 135. WASHINGTON, D. C. February 16, 1014.
From: Chief Constructor.
To: Commander Charles F. Preston, Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.
Subject: Information with respect to the Indian Chief Tamanend.
Reference: Your letter of Jan. 20/14.
Enclosures: (A) Eight letters (copies) from Bureau's archives.
(B) Extract from Heckenwelder's account of the manners and customs of the Indian Nation.
(C) The papers which accompanied your letter.
I. I have had the official files of the Bureau of Construction and Repair carefully examined, and forward herewith the enclosures referred to above. This correspondence makes it clear and definite that at the suggestion of Senators Vandyke and Horsey and of Representatives Hall and McLane. the attempt was made to portray Tamanend, the distinguished Chief of the Delaware Indians, as the figurehead of the DELAWARE; that, further, the ship was launched on the 21st day of October, 1820. and not in 1817 as appears on the cut in the Army and Navy Register of October 4, 1913, and I think is repeated on the stone pedestal now in Annapolis.
WATT
NAVY DEPT.
Sir: May 17, 1820.
Under the resolution of Congress of the 3rd of March 1819 relative to the manner in which the vessels of the Navy of the United States shall be named. It has been determined that the states after which the Seventy Fours shall be named are to be ascertained by lot, under the direction of the Navy Commissioners.
Commissioners will accordingly proceed to ascertain the name to be given to the 74 now building at New York and notify the Commandant of that place of the same.
Respectfully your obedient servant SMITH THOMPSON
P.S. Maine and Missouri are to be excluded from the list of states in determining the name of ship now building at New York
To
John Rodgers
President Naval Board
NAVY COMMISSIONERS’ OFFICE,
16TH Oct. 1820.
Sir:
The Commissioners of the Navy have the honor to inform that having this day drawn for the ship of the line to be launched on the 21st instant at Norfolk, they drew the name of the State of DELAWARE.
I have the honor to be with great respect, Sir
Your most obedient servant,
JOHN RODGERS
Hon.
Smith Thompson,
Secretary of the Navy.
NAVY COMMISSIONERS’ OFFICE
9TH Dec. 1820
Sir:
The Commissioners of the Navy have not yet decided upon the figure head of the ship of the Line DELAWARE. They desire to adopt a head appropriate to her name and they request that you will favour them with your assistance on the occasion by naming an appropriate figure head. The ships head is adapted to the size of a full bust.
I have the honor to be &c.
JOHN RODGERS
Hon.
Mr. Vandyke,
Senate.
WASHINGTON, Jany. 5, 1821.
Sir:
In compliance with the request of the Hon. Commissioners of the Navy communicated in your note of 9th Dec. last, relative to a figurehead for she ship of the line "The DELAWARE," we beg leave to direct their attention to "Tamanend," the most distinguished Chief of the Delaware Indians. The character of this celebrated personage is given in Heckeweldus account of certain indian nations, an extract of which is inclosed.
The name of "Tamanend" being thus connected with the early history of our country, his bust will in our opinion be an appropriate figurehead for the ship of the line "The DELAWARE." Should the Honorable Commissioners concur with us in opinion, we submit for their consideration the annexed outline, subject to any correction which their taste and judgment may suggest.
We have the honor to be very respectfully
Your most obedient
VS VANDYKE.
O. HORSEY.
WILLARD HALL.
L. MC.LANE.
Commodore
John Rodgers.
EXTRACT FROM HISTORY OF HECKEWELDERS ACCOUNT OF THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIAN NATION.
TAMANEND.
"The name of Tamanend is held in the highest veneration among the Indians. Of all the chiefs and great men which the Lenape nation ever had, he stands foremost on the list. But although many fabulous stories are circulated about him among the whites, but little of his real history is known. The misfortunes which have befallen some of the most beloved and esteemed personages among the Indians since the Europeans came among them, prevent the survivors from indulging in the pleasure of recalling to mind the memory of their virtues. No white man who regards their feelings will introduce such subjects in conversation with them.
All we know of Tamanend, therefore, is that he was an ancient Delaware chief who never had his equal. He was in the highest degree endowed with wisdom, virtue, prudence, charity, affability, meekness, hospitality, in short with every good and noble qualification that a human being may possess. He was supposed to have had an intercourse with the great and good spirit, for he was a stranger to everything that is bad.
When Col. George Morgan of Princeton, in New Jersey, was, about the year 1776, sent by Congress as an agent to the western Indians, the Delawares conferred on him the name of Tamanend in honor and remembrance of their ancient chief and as the greatest mark of respect which they could show to that gentleman, who they said had the same address, affability and meekness as their honoured chief, and therefore ought to be named after him.
The fame of this great man even extended among the whites, who fabricated numerous legends respecting him, which I never heard, however, from the mouth of an Indian, and therefore believe to be fabulous. In the revolutionary war his enthusiastic admirers dubbed him a Saint, and he was established under the name of St. Tammany the Patron Saint of America. His name was inserted in some calendars and his festival celebrated on the first day of May in every year."
PROPOSED FIGURE HEAD FOR THE SHIP OF THE LINE
"THE DELAWARE."
Bust of Tamanend, the celebrated chief of the Delaware Indians. Drapery—A Blanket with a Belt in which is a Tomahawk.
Over the left shoulder—A Quiver of Arrows.
One hand resting on a Bow & the other Hand holding the Calumet.
NAVY COMMISSIONERS' OFFFICE,
20th January, 1821.
SIR:
We wish to have the figure of the Indian Chief Tamanend for the figurehead of the DELAWARE. Will the cut water admit a full figure of appropriate length? If the cut water of the ship will admit such a figure we should desire the drapery to be a blanket with a belt and Tomahawk on it, on the left shoulder a quiver of arrows, one hand resting on a bow and the other holding the calumet. On the stern we wish the Coat of Arms of the State of Delaware, as described in Binn's sheet of the Declaration of Independence to be carved.
You will be pleased to inform us as early as may be in your power whether the proposed figurehead can be conveniently attached to the ship.
Respectfully,
JOHN RODGERS, PRESIDENT.
Captain John Cassin,
Portsmouth,
Virginia.
NAVY YARD, GOSPORT,
5th February, 1821.
GENTLEMEN:
Enclosed you will receive the opinion of Mr. Grice, Naval Constructor, relative to the figurehead of the DELAWARE. I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your most obedient servant,
JOHN CASSIN.
The Honorable Commissioners
of the U.S. Navy,
Washington.
NAVY YARD, 5th February, 1821.
SIR:
Your letter of the 30th January has been received. In answer to which I would observe that the statue of an Indian Chief nine feet in height can be placed on the Line of Battleship DELAWARE which would be an appropriate size for the Cut Water.
Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Commander John Cassin. FRANCIS GRICE.
Approved John Cassin.
NAVY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE,
13th Jan. 1821.
GENTLEMEN:
The Commissioners of the Navy have had the honor of receiving your communication of the 5th instant for which they tender you their thanks.
Possibly, gentlemen, you were not aware of the fact that we have already a ship of the line with an Indian Chief figure head. Such a figure was selected for the Ohio and is now on her. Will this circumstance constitute with you any objection to our adopting your suggestion as to the figurehead of the DELAWARE, if not we will, with pleasure, adopt it. if, however, you should, under these circumstances, suggest any other figurehead for the ship we shall be happy with your wishes on this occasion.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, &c,
Honbls. JOHN RODGERS.
Mr. Vandyke, }of the Senate
Mr. Horsey, }of the Senate
Mr. Hall, }of the House of Representatives from Delaware.
Mr. McLane, }of the House of Representatives from Delaware..
WASHINGTON, Jany. 18, 1821.
SIR
I have made known to Mr. Horsey & Mr. Mc. Lane, the fact stated in your note of the 13th instant that the Ship of the Line "The Ohio" has an "Indian Chief Figure Head" and we concur in opinion that notwithstanding that circumstance the bust of Tamanend will be an appropriate figure head for the Ship of the Line "The DELAWARE." Mr. Hall is absent from the city.
Very respectfully,
Yo: Mo: Obt.
V.S. VAN DYKE
The Hon:
John Rodgers.