Amador ledger., 1900-04-06
Recollections of the Frigate,
Constitution.
HER HULL AND RIGGING LIKELY 10 Be REPAIRED
It May Be Years Before This Histor.
ical Tub Will Be Ready For
Active Service Again.

| ne Tf6Slu0uGS dpprOVdl VI roUru-
ary 14th of the act authorizing the
Secretary of the Navy to place the
frigate Constitution in the same con-
ldition as regards her hull and rigging
as she was when in active service, /" re-
calls among naval officers many inter-
esting "reminiscences of the more re-
cent career of the famous Old Iron
sides, which had been almost forgotten
in the rapid development of the new
steel navy. 1t is not generally known,
for example, that scarcely stick oi
tim ber from the original conquerOr ol
the Cue. riere now exists, save a few
decayed ribs and frames, so often has
the old hull been restored and exteu-
sively repaired, and, in fact, when the
provisions of the new law are carried
out the Constitution will be practically y
new ship.
The Navy Department has been an
ticipating for several years securing
authority for rehabilitating the Con-
stitution for use as a naval museum, to
be stationed preferably at Washington,
and with that end in view has careful
ly saved large quantities OF well sea.
soned 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 vessels. The Chief Constructor
says he has accumulated sufficient ma
terial 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
ernment in no expense, as the Massa-
chusetts State Society of United States
Daughters of 1872 has undertaken to
the provisions of the act work is not to
be begun until the money is raised by
popular subscription.
The early history of the famous old
craft, especially of her fighting days,
is familiar to the public, but since she
was placed on the retired list, just be-
fore the Civil War, other vessels have
crowded her out of the Lublic mind,
just as the Oregon and Olympia and
Gloucester have more recently diverted
attention from the earlier ships of the
White Squadron. Nearly thirty years
ago, when patriotic ingenuity was
taxed in preparation for the Centennial
celebration of the Declaration of In
dependence, the dismantled hulk of
the old frigate was rotting away in
neglect on the mud flats of the Phila-
delphia Navy Yard, where in 1875 the
present Chief Constructor of the Navy
was ordered to restore her to her origi-
nal condition for the Exposition. What
was left of her was hauled ouv on dry
land, all rotten planking and other
timber was torn off and thrown away,
until bare semblance of the keel and
ribs remained.
Just at this time, to provide railway
room for trains which were expected to
carry the vast crowds in and out OF
Philadelphia, the old navy yard was
sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad,
which Immediately took possession,
and assisted the navy to transfer its
movable plant promptly to League
Island, which was given to the govern
ment. The remains of the Constitu-
tion were in no condition to be moved
except by piecemeal, SO high board
fence was built close to her, and inside
of this, under the most trying circum-
stances, she was rebuilt and finally
launched. During the Exposition she
was anchored in midstream, and was
visited by thousands, who whitfield her
woodwork and carried away tons OF
splinters from her, under the mistaken
notion that they were getting souven-
L irs of the original ship. Constructor
Hichborn says that the hull at that
time was wholly replanked and fasten-
ed with iron bolts at cost of about
$3.50, 600, and everything in sight was
brand new.
The work was so we'll done that when
it was proposed to send the vessel to
the Paris Exposition of 1878 as trans
port for United States national ex-
hibits an inspection board pronounced
her as seaworthy as any vessel in the
service. To get her exhibits into her
hold it was necessary to cut out her
deck and enlarge her matches, so she
could carry streetcars and other large
articles. Under the command of Cap.
tain Oscar Badger she reached Havre
without extraordinary difficulties, it
being considered that American men-of.
warsmen of that time were not famil-
lar with navigating vessels dependent
upon sail power alone, but on her re-
turn 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 oi
Ireland, and only got afoat again after
much ingenuity and labor had been
|; expended. The drubbing she had on
the rocks at 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 con.