[C320-list] Old Ironsides

[Allan S Field]

Water was rarely fresh in those days, people got sick from drinking it, thus
the preference for spirits!  I can't verify this either but is what I have
heard...

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Dean Vermeire
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 2:02 PM
To: Catalina 320 List
Subject: [C320-list] Old Ironsides

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*.