Connecticut's USS Constitution Connection-- Part 2

Continued from June 25th.

Twentieth century Captain Albert C. Messice was one of the ship's four Connecticut commanders, 1952-1954.

Another Connecticut man with a connection was Glastonburg native Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy during the Civil War whom Lincoln referred to as "My Neptune."  He saved the ship from Confederate sabateurs early in the war.

The Constitution was used as a training ship for U.S. Naval Academy midshipman at Annapolis, Maryland, before the war.  It was too close to Confederate lines and Welles had the ship sent to Newport, Rhode Island, for the war's duration.  The USNA was also moved there.

The front door of the Custom House Maritime Museum at 154 Bank Street in New London, Connecticut, is made of original ship planks taken from it during one of the many renovations that have occurred over the years.

The iron in its cannons came from Connecticut foundries.

Also, the ship's most famous commander, Isaac Hull, came from the state.

An Old Ironside Connection.  --Brock-Perry