The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-12
FAMOUS OLD IR0NSIDES.
The Constitution to Again Assume
Her Original Form

The Presidents approval on FEBRUARY -
OF the act authorizing the Secretary OF
the Navy to place the frigate Constitu-
ton in the same condition as regards her
hull and rigging as she was when In ac-
tive service" recalls among naval officers
many interesting "reminiscences OF the more
recent career OF the famous Old Ironsides,
which had been almost forgotten in the
rapid development Of the new steel Navy.
Il Is not generally known. for example.
that scarcely a stick OF timber from the
original conqueror Of the Guerriere now eS-
lists. save a few decayed ribs and frames.
so often has the Old hull been restored
and extensively repaired. and. IN fact. when
the provisions Of the new law are carried
out the Constitution will be practically a
new ship.
The Navy Department has been antici-
pating for several years securing authority
for rehabilitaung the Constitution for uss
as naval museum. 10 be stationed pref
erably at Washington and with that end In
view has carefully saved large Quantities
Of well-seasOned live oak timber and
knees in the shiphouse at the Boston
Navy Yard. all the ship timber at other
naval stations having been sold in the last
decade as worthless for the new steel YES
sells
The chief constructor says he has accu-
mulated sufficient material in this manner
TO rebuild the ship. and therefore all the
money made available may be expended
for labor. The new law Involves the Gov
eminent in no expense as the Massachu-
sets State Society OF United States Daugh-
tiers OF 1912 has undertaken to raise all the
funds required. and under the provisions OF
the act work Is not to be begun until the
money is raised by popular subscription.
The earlier history OF the famous old
craft. especially OF her fighting days. Is IA
miliar TO all school children but since she
was placed on the retired list. just before
the civil war other vessels nave crowded
her out Of the public mind Just as the
Oregon and the Olympia and the Glouces-
ter have more recently diverted attention
from the earlier ships Of the White Squad
ron.
Nearly thirty years ago when patriotic
ingenuity was taxed 10 preparation for the
centennial celebration Of the Declaration
Of independence. the dismantled hulk Of the
old frigate was rotting away in neglect on
the mud flats O. the Philadelphia Navy
Yard. where. In 1873. the present Chief
Constructor OF the Navy was ordered TO re-
store her to her original condition for the
exhibition. What was left Of her was
hauled out on dry land all rotten planking
and other timber was torn off and thrown
away, until a bare semblanee Of the keel
/ and ribs remained
Just at this time TO provide railway
room for trains which were expected TO
carry he vast crowds In and out Of Phila-
delphia. the old navy yard was sold 10 the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company which
Immediately took possession. and assisted
the Navy 10 transfer its movable plant
promptly to League Island- which was
given to the Government. The remains %
the Constitution were in no condition to b
moved except by piecemeal. so a high
board fence was built close to her and in
side Of this. under the most trying cirCum-
stances. she was rebuilt and finally
launched.
During the exhibition she was anchored
in mid-strcam. and was visited by thou
sands. who Whitfield her woodwork and
carried away tons Of splinters from he-.
under the mistaken notion that they were
getting souvenirs Of the original ship. Con-
struct0r Hichborn says that the hull at
that time was wholly replanked and fas-
tened with iron bolts at a cost OF about
$3.50. 900. and everything in sight was brand
new.
The work was so well done that when it
was proposed to send the vessel to the
Paris Exposition Of 1878 as transport for
United States national exhibits an inspec-
ton board pronounced her as seaworthy
as any vessel in the service. To get the
exhibits into her hold It was necessary
to cut out her deck and enlarge her
matches, so she could carry street cars and
other large articles.
Under the command OF Capt. Oscar
Badger she reached Havre without extra
ordinary difficulties. it being considered
that American Of-warsmen OF that
time we're not familiar with navigating
vessels dependent upon sail power alone.
but on her return she had an exciting
cruise. and was the subject OF constant
national anxiety. Almost at the outset
she piled up bows on. on the shores OF
Ireland and only got ahoat again after
much patience had been shown and much
ingenuity and labor had been expended.
The drubbing she had on the rocks az that
time proved how thoroughly she had been
repaired.
Her release was only effected by the
concerted efforts Of number OF tugs
hitched to her stern. acting in conjunction
with an unusually high tide. From the
Irish coast she ran into heavy storm.
which carried away her rudder. and just
about the time she was expected at New
York the Navy Department was aston
isned to receive the announcement OF her
arrival at Gibraltar.
Here she was repaired and started safe
IL for the United States She reached
home finally by way Of Cape Verde and
the West Indies. and after dischargins
her cargo was sent to Portsmouth, y. IT,.
to be housed over at a cost Of $4,000. I'M
til she ressmbled NCah's Ark fitted as
a receiving ship at that navy yard There
old Ironsides remained until she was
flowed down 10 Boston TO celebrate the
centenary Of her own launching on Octo-
Der q 1927. when one Of the powder boys
vino served on her in 1872 was present.
Since that time the ship has been idle
AT the Boston Navy Yard.
Naval offices do not think the popular
subscription Of the Old vessel viii be COM
pleted for several years. and. as they are
prevented under the law from starting
the work until all the money needed is