Vegasdogg Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 You always have to have those priorities straight, boys and girls! LOL 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. She carried no evaporators (i.e., fresh water distillers!). 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 five 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 whisky 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 whisky, and 38,600 gallons of water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 That is a great post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan in Florida Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 And she's STILL ACTIVE. Why the story today...did I miss something? Just feeling Patriotic today Dan in Florida (Shellback & Blue Nose) US Navy 1980-85 PN2 USS Okinawa (Lph-3) USS Inchon (Lph-12) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndneighbor Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 And she's STILL ACTIVE. Why the story today...did I miss something? Dan, Look at how much booze they went through in 3-4 weeks. After already going through all that rum. Look at how much water they had left. Musta been a hell of a trip home. Thanks Vegas. That's entertaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffer X Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 I'm dehydrated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieDawg Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 Nice story. Nice to know we are not harrassing each others nations anymore!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. T Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 God Bless America!!! That's what we need to get back to, more alcohol consumption and less water consumption, it will be better for the environment. That sounds like a trip to see the Browns in Charlotte! I only know of one man who can drink that much rum, may he rip. cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.