The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-09-03
"OLD IR0NSIDES."
Proposition to Recognize the Centenary
of the u. S. S. Constitution.

ing of the famous frigate "Old Ironsides."
One of the leading projects concerning her is
to bring her in season for the Tooth ami
versary of her lanching. from Portsmouth to
Washington, in order that she may there be
preserved for future generations, and become
an object of interest at the National Capital.
The Society of the Sons of the American Revo-
luton favors this project. Gen. Horace Porter.
President of the National Society, and Presi-
dent Chsuncsy NJ. Depew. of tho Empire State
Society, are spoken of as earnestly advocating
it. resolution of the Society OH the subject
was unanimously adopted some time ago, and
Congress may act on the matter at the next
session. which would be soon enough for the
centennial celebration of the ship.
Ii the transfer were made, the great super
structure built above her deck and rooted and
filled with windows, making her like noet-
ing house, would be removed, and she would be
restored as nearly as possible to her original
form when she was the pride of the Navy.
Her three masts are still to be seen above the
which last had been built up to
make her more available as receiving ship
On the other hand, some of the people of
New Hampshire strongly object to the proposed
transfer. They want the ship still kept where
she is quietly passing away her years. at very
little cost for preservation, as is Indicated by
the fact that the total amount laid out on her
last year for repairs, according to Chief Com
structor Hichborn's report. was only $40.64.
If she were brought to Washington it would
be proposed to utilize her as National museum
of navy relics. But the Portsmouth people
would naturally prefer keeping her where she
now is even should the project OF restoring
her to her original appearance be carried out.
third proposition has been to turn Old
1ronsides to account as practice vessel for tine
naval militia. But it would be better to find
some other ship for ordinary duties than to
run any risks that might come from employ
ing her for the naval militia.
The Constitution is tersely described in the
official table as q vessel built at Boston by the
Government in the year 1877, and as at pres
ent laid up in ordinary at the Portsmouth IN.
H.) Navy-yard and housed over. AS for her
Dimensions, she has length between perpen-
diculars of IT'S feet, breadth of 45 and mean
draught of 20, with displacement OF 2,2OO tons.
In lieu of the "A guns that she carried in the
days of her active career, she has now only four
32-pounders and . 12-pounder howitzer, all, OF
course, smoothbore.
Certainly, if any war vessel ever did all that
could be expected of her. in order to earn rest
as a centenarian, it is the Constitution. She
was one of half dozen frigates ordered during
Washington's Admin istration, the Constitution.
Constellation, Congress. Chesapeake, President.
and United States. Lanched Sept. 20, 1877,
she made her first cruise in 1898 under Capt.
NiCuOiSOu, auu tuo loioWtus yoni was ."
Barry's squadron, afterward Talbots, cruising
in the West Indies and watching French priva-
teers, and made several captures.
Next she went in Preble's squadron. as hag-
ship, to carry on war with Tripoli, in 1903.
The following year she was engaged in repeated
fights with the batteries OF Tripoli and in bonn
harding the town. In single one of the i've
attacks the Constitution is said to have fired
700 rounds into the eneny's works.
r1,1ra thar rnid n
war, notably the capture OF the Philadelphia
by the enemy, her destruction afterward by
the ketch Intrepid, under command of Lieut..
Stephen Decatur, in q hazardous expedition,
and finally the sad fato of Somers and his little
baud of heroes, who used this same ketch in a
most daring and dangerous attempt to blow up
the enemy's vessels instead OF which the In
trepid herself blew Up, being heavily loaded
with powder and shells, and all on board
perishiUg.
The war with Tripoli at length being ended,
q contest with Tunis broke out, and the Con-
stitution, as the flagship Of Rodgers, who then
commanded the squadron, went to Tunis Bay.
That affair, however, was soon over, and then
the Constitution returned to home waters for
repairs.
The war of 1912 followed. and very early in
that contest the gallant vessel, under Capt
Isaac Hull, won great ren0wn in contest OF
skill in navigation between herself and an
English squadron.
On the 18th of July she sighted that squad
ron while proceeding northward from Annap-
oils. An extraordinary chase ensued. The
British vessels, eager for their prey, sometimes
got near enough to open FIRE with their bow
guns. but none Of the shots reached the speedy
American craft. All that skill could do in
getting the benefit of the variable winds was
resorted to.
One Of the devices Of Hull was to send out
boats ahead to tow the vessel in calm; an
other was to carry kedge anchor a long dis
tance ahead for the crew of the Constitution to
haul upon. Thus three days and three nights
passed On the fourth the wind favored the
Constitution. and she drew away. and thus
naval history. When the exploit became known
the escape aroused almost the enthusiasm of .
battle aud . victory.
But the Consultation was not to wait many
days before having still better title to fame.
Early in August, 1872, she left Boston, and,
after capturing several prizes, on the 10Th of
the month discovered off the New England
coast the Guerriere. an English frigate, COM
manded by Dacres.
Both vessels were eager to fight and were
toierably we'll matched, although the Constitu-
tion really had the advantage in size, the num-
Der of her crew. the number of her guns, and,
above all, in the total weight of shot thrown in
broadside. But Dacres eagerly opened fire
first. Hull reserved his reply until the Con.
stitution had drawn much nearer, aud had Sc
cured the position wanted.
Nearer and nearer they approached, until
close upon each other, pouring in heavy broad
sides. First one mast aud then another of the
Guerrero went by the board. and she was
forced to strike her colors. So utterly used up
was she that Hull could not save her as prize,
and was compelled to burn her.
She had lost far more heavily in men than
the victor, which had suff ffered more in the rig
ging than in the body of the ship. When the
Constitution arrived at Boston with her pris-
oners. the news Of her triumph produced pro.
found sensation, and when it reached England
there was shock of surprise.
Two months later she left Boston, with Capt.
Bainbridge in command, in search Of new ad-
ventures. Toward the end of December, when
off the coast of Brazil. she deserted the Java, an
English 3S-gun ship like the Guerrisre. Another
fierce battle resulted at close quarters The sails
of the Constitution suffered good deal, but by
admirable seamanship she gained and held an
excellent position, aud then her superior gun
merry did the rest.
As in the case of the Guerriere the masts of
the Java were shot away. the hull was riddled,
and it remained to blow her up after her sur
render, especially as she was far from home
port. The Constitution did not lose mast or
yard, and her total Of killed aud wounded was
not one-third that Of the Java's crew.
During the next year, 1913. tho Constitution
required repairs, and her crew was accordingly
sent to the Lakes. But in 1914 she was in act
i've service again, taking prize after prize, be.
ing then commanded by Capt. Chas. Stewart
On Feb. 20, 1916. while on . cruise, she OBJ.
served and gave chase to two vessels.
elarD conflict resulted for ma wac n