The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-05-10
Hearts of Oak Are Our
Ships"
By EARL GOODWIN.
Let Us Provide HarbOr For These Wooden Vessels Upon
Whose Decks Fought Americas Right

Old battle hags old soldiers and old SHIPS They sur
within all the feeling of and patriotism inner
cnt to America Much of the great strength of country
us based upon love- and love is kept and
glowing at the sight of these actual participants in Amer
iica's battles for the right.
Today propose to talk about old ships. FRANKLIN
ROOSEVELT Acting Secretary of the Navy, upstand
ing American suggests that three of the greatest of old
ships be brought to Washington and anchored forever with
concrete foundations in the tidal basin in Potomac Park
The three ships would be the Constellation the Consti
tuition" and the ''Hartford'
What a glorious idea! To have these three veterans
at the National Capital resting forever in the calm
of the basin, would insure snug harbor for weIltried
friends and provide inspiration in Americanis and valor
for generations to come.
Perhaps greater trio of our navys relics could be
brought together The Constellation redolent with the
of Commodore TruXtun whO with his 80 guns
500 men, licked the French "Insurgente' 40 guns and
400 men, 1899, at the time the baby United States was
being tried out by the older nations of the world And again
on February l. 1900 it fought arm to arm with ola
Vengeance" larger ship. 1t desperate duel-and
the Constellation Greater than the victory itself
the deep significance of the fighting qualities Of
American ships and MEN wooden ships and iron men
they were-and Truxtun was a sample of the men. He
built the ship and fought in it. seaman since he was
twelve years DID, being kidnapped by the British press gang
he fighting by in Revolution in the skirnishes
with the French and in the cleaning of West India and
Mediterranean pirates.
The Constitution loved by all America since the
day launched, October 81 1797-and known as cold
ronsdes It's beams were bent on without steam and we
made much of that British naval officers sought chance
to find this great ship and destroy it. The chance when
the Constitution" with Capt Isaac Hull the bridge
grappled the "Guerriere" -Britan's proud Captain
Dacres in command 1t fight between two great ships
arm to arm to cannon cutlas to cutass with the
best of the English speaking opposed-and cold
Ironsides''
The world took notice for like the Constellation the
proves and strength and fighting qualities in the econ
stituton gave Americans confidence in their navy and
dspeed the prevalent idea of the omnpoence of British
ships.
The Hartford" was Farragut's flagship. Farragut a
sailor since the age of nine fighting three wars man
of ndomtabe courage and wondrous skill He fought his
wooden ship against roncads and his achievement in tax
ing the forts the Mississippi will be classic long as
men value great deeds of valor
These three ships should be cared for The "Conste
ation" and the Constitution actually part of orr
first navy built than hundred years ago. It should
be necessary to remind the nation Of the fact that un
less specific methods adopted these ships will actually be
broken up and sent to the junk pile! Republics are un
grateful 1t not many years ago that an attempt
made to scrap the Constitution" and had not Oliver
Wendell Holmes written cold Ironsdes that inglorious
end might have engued this actual participant in America
glory.
You remember that poem-with this stanza:
Her deck once red Nth heroes blood
Where knett the panq1ished foe;
When UiHdS h1nniug DER the flood
And whte beEou,--
No shall feel the VictorS tread
Or know the conquered knee,
The h1pes Of the shore shall pHck
The eagle Of the