flag was indeed flown on board "Old Ironsides." It is always an odd feeling when you are on the deck of a sailing warship when you are used to sailing aboard other "tall ships" that represent commercial and recreational uses. The most obvious difference, aside from the presence of very large guns, is the height of the bulwarks. Bulwarks on a wooden sailing warship are so high that you cannot see the water from the deck unless you peek out the gunports. USS Constitution's bulwarks, in fact, are about to be modified and reduced in height about rwo feet to get her closer to her 1812 configuration. "Old Ironsides" is maintained by three separate cooperative groups: the US Navy personnel; the USS Constitution Museum, a private institution charged with maintaining a library, running educational programs, and as stewards of artifacts and their interpretation; and a civilian crew that is employed to maintain the ship and her rig. The US Navy sailors stationed there are assigned to the ship for periods anywhere from eighteen months to three years. Sailors arriving straight out of Boot Camp stay with the ship from eighteen to thirty months. Sailors who have already been to the fleet are stationed to USS Constitution for approximately three years. Duty on board "Old Ironsides" is deemed prestigious by naval personnel. Only about one percent of navy sailors actually get a chance to serve on board. To get assigned there, they have to go through an interview process and be selected by the Command Senior Chief, who is the most senior enlisted person at the command. The only other position in the navy that has a screening process is the Honor Guard. Although it is a highly sought-after position, a lot of sailors don't realize the opportunity exists. Service personnel sent to Boston for the post are assigned to one of four departments: Administration, Deck and Repair, Supply, or Public Affairs. Before the frigate's 200th anniversary celebration in 1997, the last time the ship moved under sail power alone was in 1881-a stretch of 116 years. This October, the navy will begin more restoration work on the ship. She will stay in her current berth at the Charlestown Navy Yard, while her bulwarks are shortened and the top deck will be replaced with a properly cambered deck to allow water to run out the sides. All the work will be done by their civilian maintenance and repair crew, plus the occasional outside contractor for specialty work. The work is scheduled for completion in 2009 and visitation will be ongoing during the restoration period. Walking the decks and down below on our most famous sailing warship can be a humbling experience. Captain Bobby Hall, on board for the 4th of July demonstration, commented, "During the salute to Fort Independence, as the recoil of the cannons trembled through the hull and the gun deck filled with smoke, I was humbled with awe and admiration for all that was gained for this nation amidst the mayhem of battle in those low-ceiling' ed spaces." Information about the ship's history, visitation, how to have your flag flown aboard, and how to register for the lotteries (the public is invited to sail aboard the ship for her public turnaround sails; individuals chosen by a free lottery system) can be found at www.oldironsides.com. Fair Winds "Old Ironsides." We look forward to seeing you underway in 2009. j:,
(above) Yeoman lhird Class Matthew Watkins and Seaman Apprentice Joshua Bruner tip their hats through the smoke-filled air in salute as "Old Ironsides" fires one of her guns. lhe sound and powerful vibration felt throughout the ship made those onboard only imagine what it was Like to fire a broadside. (right) Seaman Katherine Wood and Seaman Apprentice Nicholas McDonald stand at attention as we pass USS Wasp (LHD 1).
SEA HISTORY 120, AUTUMN 2007
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