USS Constitution Gets Underway on the 4th-- Part 2

The Constitution's cruise will be viewable from the Boston Harborwalk, Castle Island and Charlestown Navy Yard.  I saw no mention of whether the ship would be towed or actually underway under its own sail power.

The ship is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m..

It is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and America's Ship of State.

She played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855.

The active-duty Sailors aboard the USS Constitution provide free tours and offer public visitation as they support the ship's mission of promoting the Navy's history and maritime heritage and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence.

The USS Constitution was undefeated in 33 at sea engagements with opponents.  The ship earned the nickname of Old Ironsides during the War of 1812 when British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship's wooden hull.

--Brock-Perry

USS Constitution Continues Tradition; Names Gun 'Beat Army'-- Part 2: Naming the Cannons and How It Got It's Name

Early Navy sailors frequently named guns they served on, and while there are no available records for the original names of the Old Ironside's cannons, some of her current ones have been given names based on records of her sister ships:  USS Chesapeake and USS United States.

These names include Brother Jonathan, True Blue, Yankee Protection, Putnam, Raging Eagle, Viper, General Warren, Mad Anthony, America,  Washington, Liberty For Ever,  Defiance and Liberty or Death.

The USS Constitutions current cannons are all replicas produced in the 1920s.

The ship is open for visitation from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.  Just watch out for long lines.

It is also the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and played a critical role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812 and actively defended sea lanes from  1797 to 1855.

The Constitution was undefeated in action and destroyed or captured 33 opponents.

The ship earned the name Old Ironsides during the War of 1812 when British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship's wooden hull.

--Brock-Perry

USS Constitution Reopens-- Part 2: How It Got Its Nickname

This is the Constitution's first underway in more than a year because of the CORONA-199 pandemic.

The USS Constitution is the world's oldest  commissioned warship afloat and played a role in both the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812.  It actively defended sea lanes between  1797 and 1855.

The sailors aboard the ship are active duty U.S. Navy personnel and provide free tours  and offer public visitation as they  support the ship's mission of  promoting the Navy's history and maritime heritage and raising public awareness of the importance of  sustained naval presence.

The ship got its distinctive nickname during the War of 1812 when British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship's wooden hull.

The USS Constitution Museum reopened on April 8 and is currently open  Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..

--Brock-Perry

The USS Constitution to Reopen to the Public-- Part 1

From the May 11, 2021, WCVB ABC News.

The USS Constitution is scheduled to go underway from Charlestown Navy Yard on May 21 to celebrate its reopening to the public after the you-know-what.   

Commander John Benda, the 76th  commanding officer of the ship, said:  "So excited to share this beautiful and historic ship with visitors again.    We could not think of a better way to sound the reopening bell than with a 21-gun salute while underway  aboard Old Ironsides."

I wrote about one of the ship's commanders, John Gwinn quite a lot back in April min this blog.

The ship will reopen for public tours at 3 pm to 6 pm after the underway.  The underway itself, will be broadcast live on the U.S. Navy's Facebook page at 10 am on May 21 and will feature demonstrations on climbing, firing a 18th century 24-pound long gun and using shipboard weaponry.

It will conclude with a 21-gun salute viewable from Fort Independence on Castle Island  at 11:30 pm.

--Brock-Perry

Newly Acquired Documents Shed History of USS Constitution-- Part 2

The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat.  It was undefeated in battle and, in the War of 1812,  earned its nickname, Old Ironsides,  when British cannonballs bounced off its wooden hull.

The acquired papers cover several topics, including the construction of the nation's first six frigates, which included the Constitution.  Also, the strategic plans of the  undeclared Quasi-War against France from 1798 to 1800.

The collection belonged to James Sever, the first commander of the USS Congress, another frigate constructed at the same time.  These papers had been in his family ever since.  James Sever was the naval officer officiating at the launch of the Constitution as I have written about before.

Sever supervised the construction of the Congress  and was deployed withy the ship to the Caribbean Sea to protect U.S. merchant ships from French privateers.  The Constitution served alongside the Congress.

The collection also includes  correspondence from the Constitutions commander, Captain Silas Talbot, Henry Knox, Secretary of War under Washington, who oversaw appropriations for the construction of the Constitution and her sister ships; and Toussaint Louverture, the formerly enslaved leader of the Haitian Revolution, who corresponded with U.S. naval commanders about support for his government.

The documents will be  archived at the museum and shared publicly  via email newsletters and social media posts at first.  They also will be digitalized  and made available at the museum's website.

The More We Know.  --Brock-Perry

USS Constitution Reopens for Public Visitation

From the August 10, 2020, WCVB 5 ABC News.

It reopened Friday, August 7 and will be open  from 10 am to 6 pm  on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

About 1,000 visitors came to the "Old Ironsides" on its opening weekend.  All guests are required to wear a mask and groups are limited to 25 people to promote social distancing.

Visits last around 30 minutes and the ship's crew clean and sanitize surfaces and handrails between groups.

The ship closed on March 14 due to COVID-19.  After that, the crew gave virtual tours and around 3 million took them up on it.

The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned  warship afloat and played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812.  It also actively defended the sea lanes between 1797 and 1855.

So Glad the Ship is Still With Us.  --Brock-Perry

"The Old Ironsides" Poem

In case you read the last two posts about the USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides" and were trying to remember that poem you had to memorize in days gone by, here is the first stanza.

I don't remember if we had to learn all three stanzas or just the one.    Either way, I really only just remembered the first two lines anyway.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

Aye tear her tattered ensign down

Long has it waved on high,

And many an eye has danced to see 

That banner in the sky;

Beneath it hung that battle shout, 

And burst the cannon's roar;--

The meteor of the ocean air

Shall sweep the clouds no more.

Nor can I remember if we were forced to memorize it in fourth or fifth grade in North Carolina.

Glad this helped save the ship.  That is one magnificent sailing ship.

Rememberizing.  --Brocktution

About Seaman Ortiz-Lopez's Ship, the USS Constitution

But, you probably already knew.

The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and especially the War of 1812.

The ship was undefeated in battle and captured 33 enemy ships in its career.

For many years it served as a dormitory for U.S. Navy midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.

The ship got its nickname, "Old Ironsides" after it was seen that British cannonballs bounced off its wooden sides during the War of 1812.

An ironclad built during the Civil War, made of iron, had the name "New Ironsides."

--Brock-Perry

Captain James Sever-- Part 3: Some More on the Captain

The Naval History and Heritage Command  Navy Officers 1798-1900  has James Sever, Captain, 11 May 1798.  Discharged 18 June 1801 under Peace Establishment Act.

Also, under this under Christening, Launching and Commissioning of U.S. Navy Ships. I found this:

The first mention of the christening of a Navy warship we have  is that of the USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides," at Boston 21 October 1797.  Her sponsor, Captain James Sever, USN, stood on the weather deck at the bow.

"At fifteen minutes after twelve she commenced a movement into the water with such steadiness, majesty and exactness  as to fill every heart with  sensations of joy and delight."

As the Constitution ran out, Captain broke a bottle of fine old Madeira over the heel of the bowsprit.

The National Museum of the U.S. Navy has then sword and leather sea chest of James Sever, commander of the USS Congress during the Quasi War with France.

--Brock-Perry

Five Places to Visit for Veterans Day-- Part 2: USS Constitution, Wright-Patterson AFB, National Museum of WW II

USS CONSTITUTION,  Boston.  The ship has the distinction of being  "the oldest commissioned warship in the world.  Launched in 1797.

Nicknamed "Old Ironsides" and defeated five British ships during the War of 1812.  Still manned by active duty U.S. Navy personnel and capable of sailing under her own power to this day.

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Dayton

Houses the National Museum of the United States Air Force with nearly 400 aircraft, missiles, several Presidential Planes,

Artifacts dating from the Wright Brothers to creation of NASA.

D-DAY MUSEUM, New Orleans

Now called the National Museum of World War II.  "Dedicated to remembering the American Experience during the war that changed the world."

--Brock-Perry

The USS Constitution Restored in 1930

On March 30, 1930, the USS Constitution left  dry dock with major repairs completed at a cost of $1,000,000.  Approximately two-thirds of the money was raised by patriotic organizations and school children.  Congress had supplied the rest of the funding.

In July 1, 1931, the ship went on a good-will tour of New England ports which proved so popular that the historic warship was sent on a tour of all the coastal states of America.  Between July 2, 1932 and May 1932, the ship visited every port on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts with water deep enough for her 23-foot draft.

She was then towed to Washington Navy Yard to prepare for a long trip to the Pacific Coast via the Panama Canal.  She went on that trip, leaving December 8, 1932, towed by the USS Grebe.

"Aye, Tear Her Tattered Ensign Down."  --Brock-Perry

The USS Constitution After the War of 1812

From History Link:  Frigate USS Constitution, on a tour of the Pacific ports, arrives in Seattle  on May 31, 1933"  by Daryl C. McClary.

After the War of 1812, the Constitution was refitted and served as the flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron.  In 1830, it was determined that the ship was unseaworthy and  Congress considered scrapping her.  But  public sentiment, and especially Oliver Wendell Holmes' memorable poem "Old Ironsides" (I had to memorize it while in fifth grade) saved it.

The Constitution was refitted and repaired, refitted and returned to commissioned status four times between 1832 and 1907.  From 1897 to 1925, she was on exhibition at Boston Naval Shipyard.

In 1924 it was found that she was again in dire need of repairs.  Congress authorized yet another rebuild, but by public subscription and a national voluntary  campaign to raise the necessary funds began.

--Brock-Perry

The USS Constitution's Last Visits to Washington, D.C.

The Constitution's final visits to Washington Navy Yard and D.C.  were during her National Cruise following a four-year restoration that was completed in 1931.   The "Old Ironsides" arrived at the Yard on November 7, 1931, and stayed for eleven days.  During that time thousands of visitors walked its decks, including President Herbert Hoover on November 11.

On November 18, the minesweeper USS Grebe towed the ship back down the Potomac River to warmer climes for the rest of its tour.  The Grebe, a World War I ship, remained the Constitution's tender and towing ship for the whole tour.  The Grebe was also at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

The Constitution returned on April 16, 1932, where it remained until December 8.

By the time of the ship's last visit, Washington Navy yard was no longer a shipbuilding facility.  Now it was better known as a Naval Gun Factory.  However, the Yard still had  people with the needed skills to  to repair wear and tear on the ship's wooden decks caused by the trampling of feet from over two million visitors during its National Cruise.

--Brock-Perry

Government Shutdown Closes Fort McHenry

The ridiculous standoff between Republicans and Democrats in Congress has struck the War of 1812 in that Fort McHenry is closed as is the museum at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, though you can still stroll the grounds.

In Boston, the "Old Ironsides" remains open but Charlestown Navy Yard is closed.

Also, the Bunker Hill Monument is closed, but you can still stroll the grounds.

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library is closed.

What would Old Hickory have done?

Dumb Congressmen.  The British Couldn't, But ...  --Brock-Perry

USS Constitution Marks 205th Anniversary of Battle With HMS Java

From the December 25, 2017, U.S. News & World Report.  AP.

A ceremony will be held Friday, December 29, to mark the anniversary of the USS Constitution's battle with the HMS Java on December 29, 1812, which resulted in yet another victory for the Old Ironsides.  The ceremony will include a gun salute from the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and a moment of silence.

There was a three and a half hour battle between the two ships.  The Constitution received considerable damage and the captain was wounded by shrapnel.  The victory was considered a turning point in the naval war.

The Constitution's 75th Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Nathaniel Schick and others will participate.

What A Ship.  --Brock-Perry

"Old Ironsides" Floats Again-- Part 1: Back In the Water After Two Years

From the November 27, 2017, WCVB ABC, Boston.

The USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides" has been gone from its mooring in Charlestown for two years.

The famous ship won three major War of 1812 sea battles against British ships and has had its home base at Charlestown Naval Yard since 1897.  It was launched in 1797.

Surprisingly, attendance at its museum actually went up while the ship was gone.  Every year, between 500,000 and 600,000 visitors come to the ship and are greeted by actual duty sailors.

--Brock-Perry

USS Constitution-- Part 9: Sailed Under Own Power Twice in the Last 20 Years

The USS Constitution was in dry dock 1992-1996 and again in 1997, to celebrate its 200th anniversary where it sailed for the first time under its own power in 116 years.

Then, the ship again sailed briefly under its own power in 2012, to mark the bicentennial of the beginning of the War of 1812. and her momentous battle with the British frigate HMS Guerriere, which led to her being called "Old Ironsides."

The victory over the Guerriere was great for American morale in the War of 1812, but really, the British ship was entirely overmatched as the Constitution was more of a super frigate or pocket battleship compared to it

--Brock-Perry

USS Constitution-- Part 8: "Ay, Tear Her Tattered Ensign Down"

OLD IRONSIDES

OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES

September 16, 1830

Ay, tear her tattered ensign down!
Long has it waved on high,
And many an eye has danced to see
That banner in the sky;

Beneath it rung the battle shout,
And burst the cannon's roar, --
The meteor of the ocean air
Shall sweep the clouds no more.

Only, I thought "Ay" was spelled "Aye."

Again, I only remembered the first two lines.  But, in my defense, I memorized this poem a real long, long, long time ago.

And, There Were Two More Stanzas.  --Brock-Perry

USS Constitution-- Part 7: The Poem "Old Ironsides"

I looked up the poem and found it was written by Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1830, not during the pennies campaign of the school children.  And, now, I am not sure if I had to memorize it in fifth grade.  It might have been third.

The more I think about it, the more I am thinking it perhaps was third grade and was a way for us to learn how to memorize.

But either way, it did help me learn to memorize, although I forget what I memorize more often than not.

What Was I Writing About?  --Brock-What

USS Constitution-- Part 6: How Many of You Had to Memorize the "Old Ironsides" Poem?

I can still remember the first two lines:

"Aye, tear her tattered ensign down,
Long has it flown on high.'

Beyond this, I can't remember.

Can you do better?

--Brock-Memorize