Evening star., 1926-05-24
Old IrOnsides Tale
Appeals to Patriots.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
Ever since I was a boy, reading
Colonial History, ! have wanted 10
visit those places of such historical
import, endeared in the hearts OF
every American.
Two years ago, my dreams and
wishes became realization. From
the time that we left Washington,
motoring to Boston and environs, we
travelled over roads connected with
the making and perpetuating of this
Nation. And. too, they were roads
which, to me, were next to sacred
grounds, having been Travelled for
merly by such brave and valiant men
in such a great and mighty cause.
While there is much which l could
write, having made notes on the trip,
this shall be confined to the "Old
IronsideS."
"Old Ironsides" as we know. is a
name given the frigate Constltu-
ton, not from it's structure, as it is
built entirely of wood, but from ITS
career, having never met defeat. Not
that it was indestructible that it has
survived, but that it was manned by
God-fearing, brave men. fighting In
the cause Of right. But, sad as 1t is
to say, one enemy-the elements-is
SLOWLY, dilIloSl AiipciCePtloiS, oiAHsAi5
it down.
Not for it's intrinsic value that 1t
should be saved, but as a memento
Of the patriotism for which it stands,
instilling into the hearts of every girl
and boy a patriotism equally great.
At the time that the United States
launched the frigate Constitution,
at Hartley's shipyard in Boston. on
the I'd of October, 1897. our Navy
consisted of three 44-gun frigates.
United States, Constitution and
president. The number of men was
4.cnV with 1900 marines. The British
navy consisted of $50 vessels, of
which 230 were larger than any
Arssei1aE vessel: they had $4,000 sea
mew lad an unlimited power of i'm
pressing sailors. To withstand such
force of navy power. is it any wonder
that it got the name Of odd Iron
sides?
"Old Ironsides" was built at a cost
Of S302 .a17, having a. displacement Of
1900 tons. 1t is IFS feet in length and
43.6 feet in width. not being much
larger than a private yacht. The
depth of the hold is 1913 feet. having
a storage capacity for provision to
last six months and $4,000 gallons of
water. It's complement. consisted of
450 officers and men; it's log-book
showed that 1t had a speed of 1875
knots per hour.
"Old Ironsides" participated in
about 40 engagements and never
suffered defeat. The most notable
was off the coast of Tripoli having
been sent along with a squadron by
President Jefferson to stop the depre
dations corpmitted by the Barbary
pirates. Other engagements We're:
"The Famous Chase" July II to 20,
1872; Constitution and Guerriere. Au-
gust 10, 1912: Constitution and Cyane
and Levant. February 20. 1915. and
its escape off Porto Praia. Cape Verde
Islands. March 12. 1915.
The Gun Chest which is now on the
frigate was presented by Elbridge G.
Brown. Marblehead, Mass, in 1916
In 19067 during the restoration of
"Old Ironsides" at Charlestown Navy
Yard, the hand.carved. wooden billet
position and is now stored on the
frigate.
When we were on the deck of "Old
1ronsides," the hold was then in such
bad condition that visitors were not
permitted to go below the main deck:
therefore, In order TO restore and
preserve this famous old frigate.
every school girl and boy and every
man and woman should give so that
1t may remain intact. not in memory,
allowing posterity to have an oppor-
tunity to see it as it was when it
proudly sailed the seas.
OSCAR NJ. MILLER.