Old Ironsides

USS CONSTITUTION was launched on October 21, 1797

I am both proud and impressed by the men and women serving in the world's oldest active Naval vessel: USS Constitution.

First, what a fine duty for our batch of young Sailors -- most of them just last year were still in high school, now they were representatives to New England and rest of America -- many of whom never had an opportunity to tour a commissioned warship.

For me, it had been ten long years since I had visited Old Ironsides (last time during the Great Lakes Cruise when USS CLARK visited Boston before heading up the Hudson).

And she looked every bit as gorgeous and invisible as she did in the period shortly after her 200th birthday.

Old Ironsides never lost a battle -- was given the name during the famous battle with HMS Guerriere when the British cannonballs bounced off the ship's thick oak hull.

Here I'm looking into the scuttlebutt, the ship's drinking fountain, where the crew gathered to talk about the day's events.

A young petty officer told us interesting tales about how food was stored and prepared.  The ship had only one cook who prepared meals for 400-500 men.   Each day, one hot meal was served.  Meat was heavily salted and stored in the harness cask.  

At sea, where bread would become moldy, there were ships biscuits (aka "hardtack").  

The grog tub contained the daily ration of diluted rum or whiskey -- this was issued daily to allow the toughest meal to go down smooth.

There are 30 24-pound long guns on deck that weigh about 3 tons each.  Their shot can pierce two feet of wood at 100 yards and the 32-pound shot has a kill range of 400 yards.

What a wonderful stop along the Freedom Trail.  2.5 tremendous miles of history and reflection -- now it was time to march back.