Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-25
WANTS OLD WARSH|P
M0ORED IN POTOMAC
Navy League Seconds Suggestion
That the Constellation Be Brought
to Washington.

Endorsement of the Navy Department
recommendation that the famous old ship
Constellation be moored in the Potomac
river, off Potomac Park. was given in a
statement issued yesterday by the Navy
League of the United States, from the
office of its secretary. in the Southern
building. The Constellation, which was
one of the first ships of the American
navy. and whose name will probably be
linked forever with the British Guerrlere,
because of the hand-to-hand death Crap
pie of the two ships. now lies off New
port but there is strong sentiment IA
vorable to bringing her here.
Quotes Rear Admiral Blue.
The Navy League claims no originality
in the matter, and the statement quotes
Rear Admiral Victor Blue, chief of the
bureau of navigation, who in his last
annual report. submitted to the Secre-
tary Of the Navy statement. as fol-
lows:
1T is recommended that the frigate
Constellation, now at the naval training
station, Newport, r. l., or the Constitu-
ton. now at the navy yard, Boston,
Mass, and which was repaired in ac-
cordance with the act of Congress APP
proved June -, 1906, providing 500, 600 to
restore her as far as practicable to her
original condition, be brought to Wash
ington and anchored in the Potomac river
just off Potomac Park. Should the
Constellation or the Constitution be
brought to the National Capital and made
accessible to the tourists who are con-
,stantly arriving from all points in the
country, it is believed it would create a
In "a
and be a means of instiling greater pa
triotism in the mind of the younger gen
eration.'
Reminders of Early Days.
THE two Ships says the Navy League
statement. 1.-The Constellation and the
Constitution, are reminders of those
glorious days of the early navy, when
these handsome sailing ships prowled the
main>in search of piratical craft that then
harassed American trade. They were
great, square-rigged sailing vessels. such
world a century ago, but which formed a
type that is being wiped out of existence
by the Harvesting of new driving powers.
Yet the Constellation saw full cen
fury of service in the United States
navy. When the new nation of the ives,
decided that a navy must be built to
protect her infant trade, the frigates
United States and Constellation were the
first off the ways to take to the seas
The United States took to the water
three days ahead of the Constellation
else that vessel might lay claim to be-
ing the first ship of the American navy
The Constitution, an equally glorious
ship, has long been at the navy yard in
Boston, and that city has grown very
fond of it. 1t is SO placed that many
people see it and it serves no small pur-
pose as a link to the past. The Constel-
Newport, is much less advantageously
situated. Either ship. located at Wash
ington. would much better serve its pur-
pose than it does at present but the
Constellation is probably the more avail
able.
Additional Arguments.
with the rapidly developing beauty OF
Potomac Park, with the Lincoln me,
mortal provided for, with a memorial
bridge in prospect, it would be hard to
conceive of the introduction of more
pleasing element than the tall masts OF
this historic ship. Likewise would it be
hard to find a more fitting place for its
anchoring With the ship once mooreo
in the Potomac it would afford new pos.
sibilities that might readily be worked
out. No structure could, for instance
more fittingly house relics of the navy.
The Navy League believes that OFF
Potomac Park is the most appropriate
place in the nation for the anchoring OF
this ship and proposes steadily to advo'
cate that diSDOSitiON OF 1t.