New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04
GOLD IRONSIDES"

The proposal TO rehabilitate the famous old
frigate Constitution seems in the way to ex-
ecut1on. The money is TO be provided by popu-
lar subscription. and no doubt will be forth
coming. The Secretary of the Navy has for
mally approved the scheme. and has recon-
mended Congressional action to that end. There
appears to be no ground for opposition or de
lay, and it may therefore be expected that In
the near future the flag of Old Ironsides will
be raised again and many an eye" shall dance
to see that banner in the sky"
1t is to be hoped. however that most care
full consideration will be given TO the alternative
plans for use Of the ship after she is put into
trim. One is to use her as a training ship for
young sailors for the Navy The other Is to
transform her into "a naval museum and float
Ing monument to the glory of American sailors"
The former has, no doubt, this to recommend
1t, that the ship would be constant and potent
source of inspiration to the lads aboard her
No one could tread "her deck, once red with
heroes blood" without himself receiving an i'm
pulse toward herosm. Yet let us be practical
Something more than heroic inspirations are
needed to make the efficient warrior The pur-
pose of training ship is to train young men
IN seamanshp and in the arts of war. and
IN the seamanshp and war not of a CEN
Ola 1ronsides Is not fitted, any more than n
UNLOCK queensarm would be fitted for modern
rlne practice. The warshtp of to-day is a COM
pllcated piece OF machinery. and the men who
manage her need TO be skilled mechanicaps ex-
pert III steam and electric engineering The
training snip needed for them Is not a hull of
oaA' Topped with rustling cloud of canvas but
tIhng OF steel, close-packed with engines and
oynamos. Not to such use, then can Old Iron
sides effectively be put
Ihere is, moreover, the matter of safety IN
the ship herself. training ship must 90 on
cruises and be subjected to the perils of tbe
deep. In the case Of an old shin bahiIitated
those periis would be much greater than in mat
on stanch new vessel A ship so precious
as OLD lronsides should not be exposed to them
We all remember the regret that was felt whom
The historic hearsarge was lost on Roncador
Far greater, and altogether inconsolable would
De the Nations grief at a like mishap tn the
constitution The example of Nelson's Victory
may well DE borne in mind; as indeed it was
In the minds of those who years ago forbade
the harpies of the shore" to ''pluct, tho oao,o
OF the sea- That priceless relic Is never SAINT
! abroad, but is kept safely moored In the chief
naval harbOr of the kingdom. literally q float.
Ing monument to the glory of the British navy
Inc same disposition we believe. is best n
De made Of Old Ironsides. Let her be restored
externally, as nearly as possible TO her original
condition. Let her be made within the re-
pository of fitting mementos of her martial
career and of the whole glorious history of
American arms at sea. Let her, on gala days
be decked with ensigns and banners and
manned with Yankee tars, to be the cynosure
Oh admiration in every naval pageant and patri-