[C320-list] Old Ironsides

[Dean Vermeire]

I am copying this from the SailCare news letter.  I can't verify the 
facts, but I like the story.  :)

Dean Vermeire
S/V Moonstruck II (#847)


*
The U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides)
  - an Inspiring History!
*

The U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides), as a combat vessel, carried 
48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. This 
was sufficient to last six months of sustained operations at sea.
However, let it be noted that according to her ship's log, "On July 27, 
1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed from Boston with a full complement 
of 475 officers and men, 48.600 gallons of fresh water, 7,400 cannon 
shot, 11,600 pounds of black powder, and *79,400 gallons of rum*."
Her Mission: "To destroy and harass English shipping." Making Jamaica on 
6 October, she took on 826 pounds of flour and *68,300 gallons of rum*. 
Then she headed for the Azores, arriving there 12 November. She 
provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and *64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine*.
On 18 November, she set sail for England. In the ensuing days she 
defeated four British men-of-war and captured and scuttled 12 English 
merchant ships, *salvaging only the rum aboard each*.
By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted. Nevertheless, 
although unarmed she made a night raid up the Firth of Clyde in 
Scotland. Her landing party captured a whiskey distillery and 
transferred *40,000 gallons of single malt Scotch* aboard by dawn. Then 
she headed home.
The U.S.S. Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February 1799, with *no 
cannon shot, no food, no powder, no rum, no wine, no whiskey, and 38,600 
gallons of water*.