hitest Posted May 23, 2005 Report Share Posted May 23, 2005 Little Known Naval HistoryThe U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides) as a combatvessel carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for hercrew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient tolast six months of sustained operations at sea. Shecarried no evaporators (fresh water distillers).However, let it be noted that according to her log,"On July 27, 1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed fromBoston 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 ofrum."Her mission: "To destroy and harass English shipping."Making Jamaica on 6 October, she took on 826 pounds offlour and 68,300 gallons of rum.Then she headed for the Azores, arriving there 12November. She provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine.On 18 November, she set sail for England.In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-warand captured and scuttled 12 English merchantmen, salvagingonly the rum aboard each.By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted. Never-theless, and though unarmed, she made a night raid upthe Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Her landing party captureda whiskey distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons ofsingle malt Scotch aboard by dawn.Then she headed home.The U.S.S. Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February1799, with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, NO rum,NO wine, NO whiskey and 38,600 gallons of stagnant water.GO NAVY! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vile_DR Posted May 23, 2005 Report Share Posted May 23, 2005 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....what a crew...what a crew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martymas Posted May 23, 2005 Report Share Posted May 23, 2005 hey i loved that story.they must have been hardy souls those days. marty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tenmm Posted May 23, 2005 Report Share Posted May 23, 2005 Hummmm??Wanna bet the crew drank more than the boat displaced??I know a couple of navy guys,I have no problem believing this Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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