New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-11
FUTURE OF OLD IRONsIDES.
SHE IS PUT IN ACTIVE SER
VICE AGAIN

Washington. March 10 CspeciaD.-The Presidents
approval on February OF the act authorizing
the Secretary Of the Nav place the frigate Con-
suIution In the same oniition regards her hull
and rigging she was hen in active service" re-
calls among naval officers many interesting remi-
niscences OF the recent career OF the famous
Ola lronsides. which had been almost forgotten in
the rapid development of the steel Navy. II is
not generally known. for example that scarcely
stick Of timber from the original conqueror Of the
Tnerrfere now exists. few decayed ribs and
frames SO often has the old hull been restored and
extensively repaired, and. in fact. when the pro-
visions of the law carried out the Con-
sttution Will be practically a ship
The Navy Department has been anticipating for
several years securing authority for rehabiitatng
the constitution for use a naval museum, to be
stationed preferably at Washington and with that
emu IN view has carefully saved large quantities of
well seasoned live oak timber and knees the
shfphouse at the Boston Navy Yard. all the ship
timber at other naval stations having been sold in
the last decade worthless for the new steel
sells. The Chief Constructor says he has accumu-
lated sufficient material in this manner to rebuild
the ship, and therefore all money made avail
able may be expended for labor The new law in
wolves the Government in expense the Massa-
chusetts State Society of United States Daugh-
tiers Of 1872 has undertaken raise all the funds
required. and under the provisions the act work
Is not TO be begun until the money is raised by
popular subscription.
RESCUED FROM THE FLATS.
The earlier history of the old craft, espe-
c!ally of her fighting days familiar all school
children, but was placed on the retired
list, Just before the Civil War other vessels have
crowded her Of the public mind, Just as the
oregon and the Olympia and the Gloucester have
more recently diverted attention from the earlier
ships Of the White Squadron. Nearly thirty years
ago, when patriotic ingenuity taxed in prepa-
ration for the centennial celebration of the Decla
ration of Independence the dsmantled hulk the
old frigate was rotting away in neglect the mud
fats of the Philadelphia Navy Yard. where in 1875
the present Chief Constructor of the Navy
dered TO restore her to her original condition for
the Exhibition. What was left Of her hauled
out on dry land, all rotten planking and other
-mber was torn of and thrown away, until bare
semblance Of the keel and ribs remained.
Just at this time, TO provide railway for
trains which were expected TO carry the vast
crowds in and out of Philadelphia the old navy
yard sold the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany. which Immediately took possession. and
sisted the Navy TO transfer its movable plant
promptly to League Island. which given to the
Government The remains of the Constitution were
in no condition to be moved except by pecemeal.
so high board fence was built close TO her, and
inside of this under the most trying circumstances
she was rebuilt, and finally launched During the
Exhibition she was anchored in midstream ana
visited by thousands, who whitfield her wood
under the mistaken notion that they were getting
souvenirs of the original ship Constructor HIGH
repanked and fastened with iron bolts at cost
of about $4,000 and everything in sight was brand
The work well done that when it was
proposed to the vessel to the Paris Exposition
OF 1878 a transport for United States National
exhibits inspection board pronounced her as
seaworthy as any vessel In the service. To get the
exhibits into her hold II necessary to cut cut
deck and enlarge her matches, she could
carry streetcars and other large articles. Under
the command of Captain Oscar Badger she reached
Havre without extraordinary difficulties, Il being
considered that American men-of- warsmen OF that
time familiar with navigating vessels de-
pendent upon sail power alone, but her return
she had exciting cruise and was the subject OF
constant National anxiety. Almost at the outset
she piled up bows the shores OF Ireland.
and only got aioat again after much patience had
been shown and much ingenuity and labor had been
expended. The drIbbng she had on the rocks at
that time proved how thoroughly she had been re
paired.
AN ODD VOYAGE HOME
Her release was only effected by the concerted
efforts OF a number of hitched TO her stern,
acting in conjunction with unusually high tide
From the Irish she into a heavy storm.
which carried away her rudder and just about the
time she was expected at New-York the Navy De-
partment astonished TO receive the announce
ment OF her arrival at Gibraltar. Here she
repaired, and started safely for the United States
She reached home finally by way of Cape Verd
and the West Indies and after discharging her
cargo sent 10 Portsmouth. y. H, TO be housed
Ark fitted a receiving ship that navy yard.
There Old Ironsides remained until she towed