The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1882-01-07
From the New York Timesl
old IRONSIDES."

The famous old frigate Constitution
was formally put out of commission at
the Brooklyn Navy Yard yesterday when
her ensign was hauled down in the
presence of all the officers of the yard.
She now takes her place in what is called
Rotten Row" with the Susquehanna
and TiconderOga, and unless broken up
and sold for relics, will be allowed to fall
gradually to pieces. The history OF the
old frigate may be appropriately recalled
now that the final scene in her career
has been witnessed. The Constitution,
or =" Old Ironsides," as she was familiar
ly called, was one of six frigates the
keels of which were laid in 1894 She
was the third vessel built for the
United States Navy after the adoption OF
the Constitution, the United States be-
ing the first aud the Constellation sec
ond. The Constitution was built at
Harris ship-yard in Boston, which was
situated where Constitution Wharf now
| is, at a cost of 1902, 718. She was made
very strong, her frame being of live oak,
| and her plapks bent on without steam
| as It was believed that the steaming pro-
| cess weakened and softened the wood.
| Her tonnage was 1856. She was launched
on the DIST Of October, 1897, IL the
! presence OF great gathering of people.
| 1t was because she was so staunch ship
| that the name of " Ironsides was given
| her, and her subsequent service in the
war of 1872 fully entitled her to the
name. She was the most famous ship
| in our navy, and has been made the
| theme of story and of song. She
| started on her first cruise in July, 1898,
I l.. y@EI oh 81
| son, but she did not come into active
service until 1904, when she was the
| flagship OF Commodore Preble in the
war between this country and the Bar
barry powers. On the 29th of August the
bombardment of Tripoli was renewed
| for the third time, and the Constitution
made her first historical record. She
ran in to within short distance of the
| castle ard batteries, and poured IN de-
| structive discharges of round and grape
! shot. She silenced the guns of the castle
! aud spread destruction among the gun
| boats of the enemy. The squadron I'm
| ally withdrew after doing great damage
TO the town. After this exploit the Con-
| stitution was engaged in cruising until
! the war of 1912, during which she made
her glorious record, and proved to the
| world that even so young a nation as
| the United States could produce a navy
able to cope with that of Great Britain.
| The Constitution, carrying A guns
| and under command of Capt. Isaac Hull
returned from foreign service about the
time of the declaration Of war. and hav-
ing shipped a new crew, sailed from An
napolis on cruise to the Dorthward July
Il. 1912. At o'clock in the afternoon
on the 18th, while she was sailing easily
along with light breeze, Capt. Hull
found himself nearly surrounded by
Broke's British squadron. The CoDsti.
tuition was not strong enough to fight the
powerful fleet that was closing around
her and her safety depended on hen
sneed One of the most remarkable
naval retreats and pursuits ever record.
Oh now began. The sea was IN almost
dead calm, and sails were Of little use
The boats were lowered and attached to
the ship by long lines, and the sailor s
nulled with a will to tow the frlgate out
Of the enemy's reach. The British fol
lowed the example of the Americans
and the fight aud pursuit had become
most exciting when night settled doW1
over the waters. All night long tn,
race continued. On the second day l.
, sails were in sight, but gentle breez'
was blowing and the Constitution wa
canning slowly on her pursuers. b.
9iobtfall she was four miles ahead OF tn
forenost of the British squadron, tn
Gnerriere. and at Sis that night tn