The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-07-10
Cur 0lio.
Old Ironsides.

"a piece Of vandalism against which the
people should indignantly protest. Once
before such proposition was entsrtaibed,
and called forth stirring protest from the
pen Of Oliver Wendell Holmes. We
quote the poem here in the hope 1t may
again have the effect to rouse public senti-
ment against the destruction Of this mag
ni6cent mementO Of our naval glory
Gay, tear her tattered ensign down!
Long has It waved on high,
And many an eye has danced to see
That banner in the sky.
Beneath il rung the battle-shout,
And burst the cannon's roar:
The meteor of the ocean air
Shall sweep the clouds no more.
90 Her deck, once red with heroes blood
Where knelt the vanquished foe,
When winds were humming DER the food,
And waves were white below
No more shall feel the victor's tread
Or know the conquered knee:
The harpees of the shore shall pluck
The eagle Of the seal
"0h better that her shattered hulk
. Should sink beneath the wave
Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
And there should be her grave.
Nail to the mast her holy flag,
Set every threadbare sail,
And give her to the God of Storms,
The lightning and the gale ~
1t has been suggested that the Constita-
ton should be fitted up to serve as the
flagship of the station during the Cen
tennial celebration next year. The grand
old frigate could not be put to more ap-
propriate service, and, in common with all
who cherish the glorious memories Of our
naval history, we trust that this design
may be carried out.
The Constitution was built at Hart
ship-yard, in Boston, where Constitution
Wharf now is, at a cost Of over $500, 900.
She was made very strong. Her frame
was of live-oak, and her planks were bent
on without steam, as it was thought that
process weakened and sofened the wood.
She was launched on the 2lst of October
1897, in the presence of great gathering
Of people, but did not start upon cruise
till July, 1898, when she went to sea under
command of Captain James Nicholson.
The Constitution was so stanch ship that
she received the name of "Ironsides. u
She always had excellent commanders,
and performed gallant service against the
Algerine pirates and the British.
The Consultation was the flagship Of
Commodore Preble, in 1904, when Tripoli
was bombarded. In the gallant action Of
the 29th of August in that year she was
run in to within a short distance Of the
castle and batteries, and by her destruc.
tive fire Of round and grape shot silenced
the guns of the Notifications and spread
devastation among the Bashaw's feet.
The next great action in which the
Constitution was engaged was the engage.
ment with the British frigate Guerrero, Of
thirty eight guns, commanded by Captain
Dacres, It took place on the 10th Of
August, 1912, off the American coast, in
the present track Of ships to England.
The Constitution carried forty -four guns,
and was commanded by Captain Isaac
Hull. After much maneuyring to obtain
the weathergage the hostile vessels at six
o'clock in the evening came within hall
pistol-shot Of each other, and engaged in
deadly conflict with the entire force Of
each vessel. The guns of the Comstitu-
ton were double-shotted with round and
grape, and their execution was terrible.
The rigging of the two vessels finally be-
came entangled, and both parties prepared
to board. The FIRE from small-arms be-
came exceedingly severe, and Lieutenant
Morris, Of the Constellation, endeavored to
lash the vessels together. At this mo-
ment the sails Of the Consultation filed,
and she shot ahead, instantly exposing the
shattered condition of her antagonist. The
foremast of the Guerriere fell, carrying
with it her mainmast. She was thus left
a helpless wreck upon rough sea. The
combat had continued for an hour, and
the Constellation was about to pour rak-
ing fire into her disabled antagonist, when
the latter discharged a gun to the leeward,
in token of surrender. At daylight the
Gaerriere was found to be sinking. The
prisoners and some movables were soon
transferred 10 the Consolidation, and at
three o'clock in the afternoon, the battered
hulk having been fired, she blew wup. The
Constellation carried the intelligence Of her
own triumph to Boston. Her next exploit,
under the command Of Commodore Balm
bridge, was the capture Of the Java, a
British frigate of thirty-eight guns, COM
manded by Captain Lambert. This en-
gagement took place on the 10Th Of De.
cember, 1912, of the coast Of Brazil. The
action lasted about three hours. The Jaru
was entirely dismasied, large number Of
her guns were disabled, hor hull was ter.
ribly shattered, and her bowsprit was shot
away. The Consultation did not lose a
spar. The Jaua was one Of the best ships
in the British service. Her officers and
crew numbered over four hundred; twen.
ty-two were killed and hundred and two
wounded, her commander fatally. The
Constitution lost nine killed and twenty
Eve wounded.
On the 10th Of February, 1914, while
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