“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead
This past week John (photobyjohnbo) has challenged us to “… consider sharing images of interesting or unusual subjects that represent notions or ideas that seem incredible even today or seemed unrealistic at some point in the past.”
I decided to feature the Constitution, a former warship located in Boston National Historical Park, part of Charlestown Navy Yard in Charlestown, Massachusetts. The USS Constitution, one of five frigates built for the United States Navy in 1776, gained recogination during the War of 1812 and then again in 1905 when people in the United States rallied together and pressured Congress to provide funds for its restoration and preservation. This was at the time the Navy wanted to sink it by using it for target practice in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship in the United States Navy and the oldest warship still afloat in the entire world. Occasionally it can be seen sailing in Boston Harbor for special events and also going out to Castle Island to fire a cannonball salute for the public. (Picture below, notice its size in comparison to the surrounding boats. The two pictures below were taken inside the USS Consitution Museum.)
After the American colonies won their independence from Britain in 1776, they needed protection from pirates and foreign invaders so Congress commissioned six warships to be built. The one built in Boston later became known as the USS Constitution and was launched in 1794. It seemed to be unbeatable, winning numerous battles, and gained national recognition during the War of 1812 when four British frigates were defeated during three separate engagements. It was during these battles the Constitution earned the nickname of “Old Ironsides” because British cannonballs appeared to bounce off the strong oak hull. (You can read documented quotes from Americans and British about these battles. The link in at the end of the blog entitled Battle Quotes was copied from the Museum website – © 2011 USS Constitution Museum Battle Quotes.)
Costly and extensive repairs were on-going and the ship was decommissioned in the 1870’s. Ultimately, the frigate’s condition deteriorated to the point minimal maintenance was done only to keep her afloat.
In 1905 Moses Gulesian, a Boston-Armenian immigrant, learned about the fate of the Constitution and wanted to save the ship from being demolished by the Navy. This goal became his personal “flight of fancy” because it seemed to be an incredible task and unrealistic. So, Mr. Gulesian approached Congress and was told the frigate would not be destroyed if enough private money was raised to pay for the restoration. In spite of his determination to raise the money or somehow save the Constitution from demonization it seemed unachievable so he decided to offer the Navy $10,000 of his own money to buy it. When his offer was refused, newspapers picked up this story and it quickly made national headlines and attracted the attention of people all over the country. It was during this time (September 16, 1830), Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote the poem “Old Ironsides” as a tribute to the USS Constitution. This poem, plus Mr. Gulesian and other Americans pressuring Congress, resulted in Congress agreeing to save the frigate by authorizing $100,000 for repairs and preservation. Now dayys, the Constitution and its museum can be toured at the Charlestown Navel Yard in the northern end of Boston.
Much has been documented about the USS Constitution, its years as a warship plus the initial desire and determination of one man, Mr. Gulesian, who rallied the American public in order to save the former warship.
These are a few interesting links for those who would like to read more about its history and legacy: https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2005/spring/ironsides.html#:~:text=The%20USS%20Constitution%20is%20the,the%20great%20ship%20from%20destruction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Constitution
Battle-Quotes-Guns-Deck-in-Battle-1.pdf https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/09/Battle-Quotes-Gun-Deck-in-Battle-1.pdf © 2011 USS Constitution Museum Battle Quotes
Hope you enjoyed reading some of the history about the USS Constitution warship. Also, be sure to see check out John’s post as he writes about flights of fancy!
I would like to end with another one of my favorite quotes:
“Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine they see all day.” – Catherine Pulsifer