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


The Presidents approval on February l.
of the act authorizing the Secretary Of
| the Navy to place the frigate Constitu-
ton in the same condition as regards her
nun and rigging as she was when in ac-
i've service recalls among naval officers
many interesting "reminiscences OF the more
recent career of the famous Old Iionsides,
"hien mad been almost forgotten in the
rapid development of the new stsel Navy.
IL Is not generally known. for example.
that scarcely a stick OF timber from the
original conQueror of the Guerriere now ex-
lists, save 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 rehabilitating the Constitution for use
as naval museum to be shattered pref
erably at Washington. and with Ii at 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-
muiated sufficient material in this manner
TO rebuild the ship. and. therefore. all the
money made available may be expended
TOT labor. The new law involves the Gov
eminent in no expense as the Massaehu-
=.
ters oil 1917 has undertaken to raise all the
funds required. and under the provisions of
me 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
miiiar to all school children. but since she
was placed On the retired list, Just before
the civil war, other vessels have 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 In 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 Of the Philadelphia Navy
fard, where. In 1875. the present Chief
N-SN'N SNSA VI Nut sNdNS was OTutItu u re-
store her TO her original condition for the
exhibition. What was left of her was
hauled out on dry land. all rotten planking
ana other timber was torn off and thrown
away, until 4 bare semblance 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 to the
PpnnEylyani1 Railroad
Immediately took possession. and assisted
the Navy to transfer its movable plant
promptly to League Islands which was
SS:se;. 70 the Government. The remains Of
the Constitution were in no condition to bs
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 midstrcam. and was visited by thou
sands. who whitfield her woodwork and
carried away tons of splinters from her.
under the mistaken notion that they we're
getting souvenirs of the original ship. Con-
structor Hichborn says that the hull at
that time was wholly replauked and fas-
tened with iron bolts. at cost of about
sl50, 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 a 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. IL 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
at ha wit
ordinary difficulties. it being considered
that American men-ofwarsmen of that
time were 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 at that
time proved how thoroughly she had been
repaired.
Her release was only effected by the
concerted efforts of a number of tugs
hitched to her stern, acting in conjunction
with an unusually high tide. From the
Irish coast she ran into a heavy storm,
which carried away her rudder and Just
about the time she was expected at New
York the Navy Department was aston
shed to receive the announcement Of her
arrival at Gibraltar.
Here she was repaired and started safe
y for the United States. She reached
lome finally by way of Cape Verde and
he West Indies and after discharginS
Ter cargo was sent to Portsmouth, y. H..
o be housed over. at a cost of $4,000. I'M
il she resembled Noah's Ark fitted as
receiving ship at that navy yard. There
Id Ironsides remained until -she was
owed down to Boston to celebrate the
entenary Of her own launching on Oeto-
er q. 1897 when one OF the powder boys
rho served on her in 1912 was present.
Since that time the ship has been idle
I the Boston Navy Yard.
Naval offices do not think the popular
Inscription Of the old vessel will be COM
leted for several years, and. as they are
reverted under the law from starting
he work until all the money needed is
aid in. they do not expect 20 have the
ra1dy for sea before 1910 at