COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 20, 1795  A page 3 report under "Federal Frigate" reports the beginning of work on this famous addition to the U.S. Navy, stating in part: "...the keel of the United States frigate...was finished laying. It is 156 feet in length, and from the elegance of the workmanship, and the goodness of the timber of which it is composed...we anticipate she will be one of the finest vessels that ever floated...".
This was actually the keel of what would be the frigate Constitution as the frigates had yet to formally named at this point.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, archival strengthening at the blank spine and a few at margins, good condition.