[C320-list] Old Ironsides

[Fred LEcuyer]

I was trying to figure out how to have more fresh water on board..... now I'll just be looking for areas for barrel stowage.

> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:01:52 -0500
> From: dean at vermeire.us
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> 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*.
> 
> 
>