Evening star., 1895-02-02

Rebuilding of Constitution in 1914.
October But whether she would ever get
there at all was considered sufficiently
doubtful for naval friend of mine to
urge me to decline the cordial invitation
which l had received to go in the ship on
her last voyage. To make the matter still
more doubtful. the vessel appointed to tow
the Constitution was the old Powhatan, a
slow, paddle-wheel war steamer, herself in
such condition that she also was condemn
ed not long after this voyage. 1t was a
case of the blind leading the blind.
Lieut.. William H. Jacques, a well-known
and skillful officer, who is distinguished
for his enterprise in the gun foundries at
Bethlehem, vas in command. A number
of bright naval cadets accompanied him.
When manned for a cruise in her palmy
days the Constitution had carried fifty
four guns and crew of nearly 400 men; !;
but now she was deprived of her batteries,
and only a handful of jolly tars We're nee
essary. Every man had his place assigned
to him in the boats, and l was told, in
case of an accident, not to wait, but to
make at once for the boat in which l had
a place assigned me.
1t was about eight bells, or the hour of
noon, when the word went around that all
was ready. l climbed up the black sides
of the famous frigate by the narrow lad
der of cleats built into her planking cling
ing to the man ropes, and for the first
time stepped on the deck of the old Con-
stitution. 1t was proud moment in my
life.
The boatswain's shrin whistle rang
through the ship; the hoarse steam whistle
of the Powhatan footed over the East
river; the officer of the deck looked over
the side to see if all was clear; hawsers
were cast off, and the vessels began to
draw away from the wharves The sun,
which had been somewhat overcast, came
out and shone brightly over the scene, and
the Constitution was off on her last voy
age.
The progress Of the ships was naturally
slow, and especial care was required amid
the rushing maZes of He'll Gate; for the
rocks which impaired such dangers to that
hazardous passage had not yet been blast
ed The night proved to be magnificent.
Daylight found us passing out of the
sound near Fishers Island. But as we en-
tered on the broad ocean we encountered
a heavy swell, and a moaning wind from
the southwest singing sadly in the shrouds
foretold change of weather and coming
storm. The glass also was falIiiS. But as
night, we kept on our course. In looking
about the ship, there was shown pair of
bits. or blocks of woCd to which hawsers
or other large -opeS are made fast. These,
pieces of the original Constitution, as she
was when she went into her first battle.
While all her lines and general inner plan
remained unaltered, yet during the fire.
quent repairs which she had undergone
every part of her frame and planking had
gradually beer replaced, in some cases two
or three times; but these bits, being of
sound oak, had been retained through
every change, as a memorial of the origi-
nal frame.
We passed safely through Vineyard
sound, Martha's Vineyard, on our right,
and the Elizabeth 1slands-Naushawena
ard its comprehension our left and head
ed toward Nantucket, famed for it's whal-
ers and hardy mariners. If you will look
on the map you will see that at the east
end of Nantucket the land turns a sharp
angle to the north, terminating in Great
point. This angle forms breakwater
against easterly storms, and behind it ves-
sells can lie in safety in any wind from
northeast to southwest. 1t was decided to
make for this sheltered bay, and there
tide out the storm, which was coming on
,aSt.
1t blew hard that night and all the next
lay. About IL am. boat went up into
Nantucket port with some of the cadets;
but preferred to remain on board, grudg-
ng to lose a moment from the enjoyment
Of being on the old Constitution in her last
.ruiSe.
The End of Her Last Voyage.
On the following day the wind appeared