Navy's oldest commissioned warship to sail again

AP via Tampa Bay Online ^ | Aug 17, 5:26 PM EDT | JAY LINDSAY

[ConorMacNessa]

BOSTON (AP) -- The U.S. Navy's oldest commissioned warship will sail under its own power for just the second time in more than a century to commemorate the battle that won it the nickname "Old Ironsides."

The USS Constitution, which was first launched in 1797, will be tugged from its berth in Boston Harbor on Sunday to the main deepwater pathway into the harbor. It will then set out to open seas for a 10-minute cruise.

The short trip marks the day two centuries ago when the Constitution bested the British frigate HMS Guerriere in a fierce battle during the War of 1812. It follows a three-year restoration project and is the first time the Constitution has been to sea on its own since its 200th birthday in 1997.

[ConorMacNessa]

OLD IRONSIDES

by: Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894)

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!

Her deck, once red with heroes' blood,
Where knelt the vanquished foe,
When winds were hurrying o'er the flood
And waves were white below,
No more shall feel the victor's tread,
Or know the conquered knee;--
The harpies of the shore shall pluck
The eagle of the sea!

Oh, better that her shattered hulk
Should sink beneath the wave;
Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
And there should be her grave;
Nail to the mast her holy flag,
Set every threadbare sail,
And give her to the God of storms,--
The lightning of the gale!

[ConorMacNessa]

Ping to the FR Canteen and Amy's Place!



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[telstar12.5]

....probably less harm can befall the old veteran in a 10 min cruise than a “10 hour cruise”....

[ElayneJ]

nice!

[ConorMacNessa]

"THE frigate Constitution, which had figured valiantly in the history of the United States navy, and had won the famous sea-fight with the English ship Guerriere in the War of 1812, was popularly called Old Ironsides, and had won a warm place in the hearts of the American people. On September 14, 1830, the Boston Daily Advertiser announced that the Secretary of the Navy had recommended that the Constitution be broken up, as no longer fit for service. As soon as he heard this Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote his poem Old Ironsides, which appeared two days later. It immediately became a battle-cry; was repeated all through the country; and caused such a wave of feeling for the time-scarred frigate that the plan of dismantling her was given up, and instead she was rebuilt, and given an honored place among the veterans of the country's navy."

http://www.poetry-archive.com/h/old_ironsides.html



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[central_va]

Amazing they had florescent lights tin the 19th century.

[Hardraade]

Obama had already instituted Green Policies with his amazing foresight. No lightbulbs!

[treetopsandroofs]

Who’s going along — the same guests who buzzed NYC for Hussein a few years ago?

We’re supposed to believe THIS story from Associated Press?!

[jimtorr]

The Guerier really had little chance against the Constitution. The Connie was larger, faster, more heavily built and much more heavily armed. Sort of a heavy cruiser against a light cruiser situation.

[Professional Engineer]

Having seen them in person, Those are really cool guns! I loved seeing the English crest at the breech. Heh heh heh

[treetopsandroofs]

“During Sunday’s sail, the Constitution’s crew of about 65, accompanied by 150 sailors selected to be part of event, will unfurl four of its 36 sails, Neely said. The tugs will stand by as a precaution when the Constitution sails on its own. And the trip can’t happen unless the weather conditions are right.”

Hmm, this smells opportunistic for Big Gay.

Wonder if we’ll ever see the guest list.

[SkyPilot]

The Constitution was the inspiration in design and description for the Acheron in Master and Commander, Far Side of The World.

[ComputerGuy]

[HereInTheHeartland]

We didn’t build that.

[fso301]

The painter really got the perspective of the HMS Gurriere wrong.

[Telepathic Intruder]

The American heavy frigate was a thing to be feared by the British navy at the time. Fast, tough, and packed with firepower, they could stay out of the firing arc of the bigger ships while nicely handling the smaller British frigates. Cannon balls were even known to bounce right off the Constitution’s iron plated hull.

[GenXteacher]

From the days when the Navy was wooden ships and iron men....

[MikeSteelBe]

I wish they could have saved the “Big E” (CV-6).