New Britain herald., 1927-11-11
0Lp |R0NS|DES|S BEING RESTORED About S260,000 More Is Needed
 for Work

The frigate Constitution, the pos
 sessor of the most glorious fighting
 record of any ship in the history of
 any navy Is being rebuilt. She is now
 undergoing reconstruction in dry
 dock in the Navy York in Boston,
 Mass, where she was launched in
 1794. The old hull which stood the
 effects of shot and shell, and which
 bears the scars of 42 engagements, is
 being dismantled. Skillful hands of
 a group of veteran ship builders are
 now busy with the task Of replacing
 these timbere, whose condition has
 long rendered the old ship unsea-
 worthy. In about two years "Old
 lronsides" will be completely re-
 built from truck to keel. She is then
 to go to sea once more. and will be
 lowed from port to port carrying
 her message of loyalty and patriot
 ism to the citizens of our country.
 "Old 1ronsides" has always been
 a lucky ship. Save" seems to be a
 by-word in her long and eventful
 history. In 1880. when she was
 condemned by a board of naval commissioners and ordered to be
 broken up and sold, it was public
 sentiment aroused by a poem of
 Oliver Wendell Holmes that saved her. Tn this connection it Is inter esting to note that the Constitution was the first ship to enter and thereby christened the new dry dock in the navy yard at Boston, the very same dry dock in which she is being rebuilt today. That was on the 24th Of June, 1883. Public sentiment came to the fore in 1875 to save the champion of American liberty. In 1878, the Constitution made her last cruise in foreign waters, carry ing to France the United States ey- hlblt for the Paris Exposition. On her way across she ran ashore at Swanage Point on the south coast of England. It was with the help of a Brltlsh admiralty that the Consti- tutlon was again saved. In 1905 it was recommended that this vener able ship to be used as target to be sunk by gun fire of the ships of the Atlantic fleet. Moved by Q nation wide protest against this sacrilcge, congress authorized the expenditure of nominal sum to repair the shin. Only repairs to the upper works were made.
 Once again the people of America are helping the cause to save "Old lronside.' In 1925 this famous old ship was falling into a state of decay which threatened her entire de- struction. A survey of her condition ! revealed the fact that it was neces- sary to completely rebuild her as ! temporary repairs such as had been made from time to time in former days would no longer save her. If was in March, 1925 that congress authorized the restoration of the vessel. Necessary funds for the work were not appropriated however, but were authorized, as it was considered beautiful exhjbi- lion Of patriotism on the part Of tho American people If the shin could be restored by these means. as the Victory. Lord Nelsons flagship at trafalgar, was restored by the pco- pie of England as a lasting memo rial for all time.
 so the campaign for raising funds oy popular subscription was launch ed. When the Elks lodge as sponsors acuVely boosting the enterprise, an drive was made amongst the school children of the country. resulting in the course of year in 'he accumulation of s154,3G6. As a teacher of history and of patriotic this campaign was most ,ommendable; the school children 1ld their bit with pennies and the time had come for the srown-ups to do likewise with quarters or better.
 Gordon Grant. America's foremost narlne artist was commissioned by ne National Save "Old Ironsides" committee to paint a picture repre- enting "Old 1ronsides." Through 'pecial arrangement, the sale of prints of this painting, the original 'i which will ultimately hang in the mite House, was made possible at D cents each. Though the profit at ms price is small. the figure was ct especially low so that every American, rich or poor. in Shatever walk of life, could con ributc to this worthy cause. At this writing over 1.040,000 pictures of Old 1ronsides' have been distribut- d in the United States and her ont sihg possessions, and it is hoped 10 I've this picture the widest distribu- on Of any picture ever painted or rinted in history. A great many pjc- ures have gone to foreign countries The general statistics from tho are as follows. corrooto, November l, 1927.
 Total receipts from
 a'i sources s456,095.s9
 Total expenditures
 for restoration
 and the campaign 16s,s4,eo