Editing USS Constitution (section)

==Museum ship==
[[File:Constitutionasbarracksship.jpg|thumb|alt=A ship tied to dock with a housing structure over top of the decks|As a barracks ship in Boston {{Circa|1905|lk=no}}]]

In 1900, Congress authorized the restoration of ''Constitution'' but did not appropriate any funds for the project; funding was to be raised privately. The Massachusetts Society of the United Daughters of the War of 1812 spearheaded an effort to raise funds, but they ultimately failed.<ref name="Martin340">Martin (1997), p. 340.</ref> In 1903, the [[Massachusetts Historical Society]]'s president [[Charles Francis Adams III|Charles Francis Adams]] requested of Congress that ''Constitution'' be rehabilitated and placed back into active service.<ref Name="MHS1907">{{cite book | title = Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society | publisher = [[Massachusetts Historical Society]] | location = Boston | year = 1907 | volume = XX }}</ref>

In 1905, Secretary of the Navy [[Charles Joseph Bonaparte]] suggested that ''Constitution'' be towed out to sea and used as target practice, after which she would be allowed to sink. Moses H. Gulesian read about this in a Boston newspaper; he was a businessman from [[Worcester, Massachusetts]], and he offered to purchase her for $10,000.<ref name="Martin340" /><ref name="Tashjian">Tashjian (1975), pp. 256–257.</ref> The State Department refused, but Gulesian initiated a public campaign which began from Boston and ultimately "spilled all over the country."<ref name="Tashjian"/> The storms of protest from the public prompted Congress to authorize $100,000 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=100000|start_year=1906}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) in 1906 for the ship's restoration. First to be removed was the barracks structure on her spar deck, but the limited amount of funds allowed just a partial restoration.<ref>Martin (1997), p. 341.</ref> By 1907, ''Constitution'' began to serve as a museum ship, with tours offered to the public. On 1 December 1917, she was renamed ''Old Constitution'' to free her name for a planned new {{sclass|Lexington|battlecruiser}}. The name ''Constitution'' was originally destined for the lead ship of the class, but was shuffled between hulls until CC-5 was given the name; construction of CC-5 was canceled in 1923 due to the [[Washington Naval Treaty]]. The incomplete hull was sold for scrap and ''Old Constitution'' was granted the return of her name on 24 July 1925.<ref Name="DANFS">{{cite DANFS|title=Constitution|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/c/constitution.html|access-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>

===1925 restoration and tour===
Admiral [[Edward Walter Eberle]], Chief of Naval Operations, ordered the [[Board of Inspection and Survey]] to compile a report on her condition, and the inspection of 19 February 1924 found her in grave condition. Water had to be pumped out of her hold every day just to keep her afloat, and her stern was in danger of falling off. Almost all deck areas and structural components were filled with rot, and she was considered to be on the verge of ruin. Yet the Board recommended that she be thoroughly repaired in order to preserve her as long as possible. The estimated cost of repairs was $400,000. [[Secretary of the Navy]] [[Curtis D. Wilbur]] proposed to Congress that the required funds be raised privately, and he was authorized to assemble the committee charged with her restoration.<ref>Martin (1997), pp. 342–343.</ref>

The first effort was sponsored by the national [[Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks|Elks Lodge]]. Programs presented to schoolchildren about "Old Ironsides" encouraged them to donate pennies towards her restoration, eventually raising $148,000. In the meantime, the estimates for repair began to climb, eventually reaching over $745,000 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=745000|start_year=1926}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) after costs of materials were realized.<ref>Martin (1997), p. 344.</ref> In September 1926, Wilbur began to sell copies of a painting of ''Constitution'' at 50&nbsp;cents per copy. The silent film [[Old Ironsides (film)|''Old Ironsides'']] portrayed ''Constitution'' during the First Barbary War. It premiered in December and helped spur more contributions to her restoration fund. The final campaign allowed memorabilia to be made of her discarded planking and metal. The committee eventually raised more than $600,000 after expenses, still short of the required amount, and Congress approved up to $300,000 to complete the restoration. The final cost of the restoration was $946,000 ({{Inflation|US|946,000|1954|fmt=eq}}).<ref>Martin (1997), pp. 344–347.</ref>

[[File:Constitutionpanamacanal1932.png|thumb|upright|left|alt=Photograph of a ship being towed through a canal|Transiting the Panama Canal 1932]]

Lieutenant John A. Lord was selected to oversee the reconstruction project, and work began while fund-raising efforts were still underway. Materials were difficult to find, especially the live oak needed; Lord uncovered a long-forgotten stash of live oak (some {{convert|1500|ST|MT|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}}) at [[Naval Air Station Pensacola]], Florida, that had been cut sometime in the 1850s for a ship-building program that never began. ''Constitution'' entered dry dock with a crowd of 10,000 observers on 16 June 1927. Meanwhile, Charles Francis Adams had been appointed as Secretary of the Navy, and he proposed that ''Constitution'' make a tour of the United States upon her completion, as a gift to the nation for its efforts to help restore her. She emerged from dry dock on 15 March 1930; approximately 85 percent of the ship had been "renewed" (i.e. replaced) to make her seaworthy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/2015/05/07/maintaining-and-restoring-an-icon-update/|title = Maintaining and Restoring an Icon|date = 7 May 2015}}</ref> Many amenities were installed to prepare her for the three-year tour of the country, including water piping throughout, modern toilet and shower facilities, electric lighting to make the interior visible for visitors, and several [[pelorus (instrument)|peloruses]] for ease of navigation.<ref>Martin (1997), pp. 345–349.</ref> {{Convert|40|miles|meters|spell=In}} of rigging was made for ''Constitution'' at Charlestown Navy Yard [[ropewalk]].<ref>{{citation|title=Ropemakers for the Navy: Part II|publisher=USS Constitution Museum    |date=21 October 2016   |url=https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/2016/10/21/ropemakers-navy-part-ii/}}</ref>

''Constitution'' recommissioned on 1 July 1931 under the command of Louis J. Gulliver with a crew of 60 officers and sailors, 15 Marines, and a pet monkey named Rosie as their mascot. The tour began at [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]], with much celebration and a 21-gun salute, scheduled to visit 90 port cities along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. Due to the heavy itinerary, she was towed by the minesweeper {{USS|Grebe|AM-43|2}}. She went as far north as [[Bar Harbor, Maine]], south and into the Gulf of Mexico, then through the [[Panama Canal Zone]], and north again to [[Bellingham, Washington]], on the Pacific Coast. ''Constitution'' returned to her home port of Boston in May 1934 after more than 4.6&nbsp;million people visited her during the three-year tour.<ref>Martin (1997), pp. 349–355.</ref>

===1934 return to Boston===

''Constitution'' returned to serving as a museum ship, receiving 100,000 visitors per year in Boston. She was maintained by a small crew who were berthed on the ship, requiring more reliable heating. The heating was upgraded to a forced-air system in the 1950s, and a sprinkler system was added that protects her from fire. ''Constitution'' broke loose from her dock on 21 September 1938 during the [[1938 New England hurricane|New England Hurricane]] and was blown into Boston Harbor, where she collided with the destroyer {{USS|Ralph Talbot|DD-390|2}}; she suffered only minor damage.<ref>Martin (1997), pp. 356–357.</ref>

[[File:USS Constitution 150 Anniversary Issue of 1947-3c.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|right|alt=A postage stamp accurately depicts ''Constitution'' at sail. The ship sails to the right side of the stamp.|{{center|USS ''Constitution''}}Commemorative stamp, 150th anniversary issue of 1947]]

With limited funds available, she experienced more deterioration over the years, and items began to disappear from the ship as souvenir hunters picked away at the more portable objects.<ref>Martin (1997), pp. 357–358.</ref> ''Constitution'' and {{USS|Constellation|1854|6}} were recommissioned in 1940 at the request of President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Franklin Roosevelt]].<ref>{{Cite letter|last=Stark|first=H.R.|recipient=Commandant, First Naval District|date=1940-08-15|title=Commissioning of Constitution and Constellation| url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FDRL_OF365_USS_Constitution_Recommission_15_August_1940002_Page_1_Image_0001.jpg#/media/File:FDRL_OF365_USS_Constitution_Recommission_15_August_1940002_Page_1_Image_0001.jpg}}</ref><ref>{{Cite letter|last=Callaghan|first=D.J.|recipient=President F.D. Roosevelt|date=1940-08-19|title=Memorandum for the President| url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FDRL_OF365_USS_Constitution_Recommission_15_August_1940002_Page_2_Image_0001.jpg#/media/File:FDRL_OF365_USS_Constitution_Recommission_15_August_1940002_Page_2_Image_0001.jpg}}</ref>
In early 1941, ''Constitution'' was assigned the hull classification symbol IX-21<ref Name="DANFS" /> and began to serve as a [[Military prison|brig]] for officers awaiting court-martial.<ref name="auto"/>

The United States Postal Service issued a stamp commemorating ''Constitution'' in 1947, and an Act of Congress in 1954 made the Secretary of the Navy responsible for her upkeep.<ref>Martin (1997), p. 359.</ref>

After World War II, ''Constitution'' remained at her berth in the Boston Navy Yard and was open to the public free of charge.  She remained in commission and was a assigned a commanding officer and a crew of about 30 sailors to perform maintenance and provide guided tours to visitors.  At some point, the tradition of having an annual turn around cruise on July 4th was established.  The purpose of the turn around cruise was to give equal weather to each side of the ship.

===Restoration===
In 1970, another survey was performed on her condition, finding that repairs were required but not as extensively as needed in the 1920s. The US Navy determined that a commander was required as commanding officer—typically someone with about 20 years of seniority; this would ensure the experience to organize the maintenance that she required.<ref>Martin (1997), p. 363.</ref> Funds were approved in 1972 for her restoration, and she entered dry dock in April 1973, remaining until April 1974. During this period, large quantities of [[Northern Red Oak|red oak]] were removed and replaced. The red oak had been added in the 1950s as an experiment to see if it would be more durable than the live oak, but it had mostly rotted away by 1970.<ref name="Martin365"/>

===Bicentennial celebrations===
Commander [[Tyrone G. Martin]] became her captain in August 1974, as preparations began for the upcoming United States Bicentennial celebrations. He set the precedent that all construction work on ''Constitution'' was to be aimed towards maintaining her to the 1812 configuration for which she is most noted.<ref name="Martin365">Martin (1997), p. 365.</ref> In September 1975, her hull classification of IX-21 was officially canceled.<ref name="DANFS" />

The privately run [[USS Constitution Museum]] opened on 8 April 1976, and Commander Martin dedicated a tract of land as "[[Constitution Grove]]" one month later, located at the [[Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division|Naval Surface Warfare Center]] in Indiana. The {{convert|25000|acres|km2}} now supply the majority of the white oak required for repair work.<ref name="AmericanForests" /> On 10 July, ''Constitution'' led the parade of [[tall ship]]s up Boston Harbor for [[Operation Sail]], firing her guns at one-minute intervals for the first time in approximately 100&nbsp;years.<ref name="CSM08-09-76">{{Cite news |work = [[The Christian Science Monitor]] | date = 9 August 1976 | page = 28 | title = Old Ironsides: still a star}}</ref> On 11 July, she rendered a 21-gun salute to [[HMY Britannia|Her Majesty's Yacht ''Britannia'']], as [[Queen Elizabeth II]] and [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Philip]] arrived for a state visit.<ref name="ChiTrib12-30-76">{{Cite news | work = Chicago Tribune | date = 30 December 1976 | page = C12 | title = Happy 200th party for U. S.}}</ref> The royal couple were [[Boatswain's call|piped]] aboard and privately toured the ship for approximately 30 minutes with Commander Martin and Secretary of the Navy [[J. William Middendorf]]. Upon their departure, the crew of ''Constitution'' rendered three cheers for the Queen. Over 900,000 visitors toured "Old Ironsides" that year.<ref>Martin (1997), p. 368.</ref>

===1995 reconstruction===
''Constitution'' entered dry dock in 1992 for an inspection and minor repair period that turned out to be her most comprehensive structural restoration and repair since she was launched in 1797. Multiple refittings over the 200 years of her career had removed most of her original construction components and design, as her mission changed from a fighting warship to a training ship and eventually to a receiving ship. In 1993, the Naval History & Heritage Command [[Naval History & Heritage Command#USS Constitution and NHHC Detachment Boston|Detachment Boston]] reviewed Humphreys' original plans and identified five main structural components that were required to prevent [[Hogging and sagging|hogging]] of the hull,<ref name="CSM7261994">{{Cite news | work = The Christian Science Monitor | date = 26 July 1994 | page = 12 | title = 'Old Ironsides' Gets a Major Overhaul |author = Nichols, Judy }}</ref> as ''Constitution'' had {{convert|13|in|abbr=on}} of hog at that point. Using a 1:16 scale model of the ship, they were able to determine that restoring the original components would result in a 10% increase in hull stiffness.<ref Name="PatrickOtten">{{cite web|last=Otten |first=Patrick |title=USS Constitution Rehabilitation and Restoration |publisher=Naval History & Heritage Command |date=March 1997 |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/constitution/restore.htm |access-date=25 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509160909/http://www.history.navy.mil/constitution/restore.htm |archive-date=9 May 2011 }}</ref>

Three hundred scans were completed on her timbers using [[radiography]] to find any hidden problems otherwise undetectable from the outside—technology that was unavailable during previous reconstructions. The repair crew used sound-wave testing, aided by the United States Forest Service's Forest Products Laboratory, to determine the condition of the remaining timbers that might have been rotting from the inside.<ref name="CSM7261994" /> The {{convert|13|in|abbr=on}} of hog was removed from her keel by allowing the ship to settle naturally while in dry dock. The most difficult task was the procurement of timber in the quantity and sizes needed, as was the case during her 1920s restoration as well. The city of Charleston, South Carolina, donated live-oak trees that had been felled by [[Hurricane Hugo]] in 1989, and the [[International Paper Company]] donated live oak from its own property.<ref Name="AmericanForests">{{cite journal | last = Nickens | first = Eddie | title = Restoring Old Ironsides&nbsp;– frigate USS Constitution | journal = American Forests | date = November–December 1993}}</ref> The project continued to reconstruct her to 1812 specifications, even as she remained open to visitors who were allowed to observe the process and converse with workers.<ref name="CSM7261994" /> The $12&nbsp;million project was completed in 1995.<ref name="ChiTrib07-22-97">{{Cite news | work = Chicago Tribune | date = 22 July 1997 | page = 1 | title = As Time Briefly Stands Still, Old Ironsides Sails Solo Again on its 200th Birthday |first=Fox|last=Butterfield }}</ref>

===Sailing on 200th anniversary===
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As early as 1991, Commander David Cashman had suggested that ''Constitution'' should sail to celebrate her 200th anniversary in 1997 rather than being towed. The proposal was approved, though it was thought to be a large undertaking since she had not sailed in over 100&nbsp;years.<ref Name="MarbleheadMag">{{cite web|last=Cuticchia |first=Rosalie A. |title=Celebrating The History of the U.S.S. ''Constitution'' |work=Marblehead Magazine |url=http://www.legendinc.com/Pages/MarbleheadNet/MM/Articles/USSConstitutionHistory.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210231815/http://www.legendinc.com/Pages/MarbleheadNet/MM/Articles/USSConstitutionHistory.html |archive-date=10 December 2011 }}</ref> When she emerged from dry dock in 1995, a more serious effort began to prepare her for sail. As in the 1920s, education programs aimed at school children helped collect pennies to purchase the sails to make the voyage possible. Her six-sail battle configuration consisted of jibs, topsails, and driver.<ref Name="Sail200-1">{{cite web |title=Sail200 |publisher=United States Navy |date=21 July 1997 |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/nav_legacy.asp?id=241 |access-date=13 October 2015 |archive-date=8 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208094750/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/nav_legacy.asp?id=241 }}</ref>

Commander Mike Beck began training the crew for the historic sail using an 1819 Navy sailing manual and several months of practice, including time spent aboard the Coast Guard cutter [[USCGC Eagle (WIX-327)|''Eagle'']].<ref name="LAT-05-04-97">{{Cite news | work = Los Angeles Times | date = 4 May 1997 | page = 28 | title = 'Old Ironsides' Readied for Seagoing Birthday | author = Jon Marcus }}</ref> On 20 July, ''Constitution'' was towed from her usual berth in Boston to an overnight mooring in Marblehead, Massachusetts. En route, she made her first sail in 116 years, at a recorded {{convert|6|kn|km/h mph}}.<ref name="fitz-enz">Fitz-Enz (2004), p. 226.</ref><ref Name="CityofMarblehead">{{cite web|title=Visiting & Town History |work=Marblehead Massachusetts Official Website |url=http://www.marblehead.org/index.asp?NID=10 |access-date=3 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214131312/http://www.marblehead.org/index.asp?NID=10 |archive-date=14 February 2009 }}</ref><ref name="LAT07-22-97">{{Cite news | work = Los Angeles Times | date = 22 July 1997 | page = 1 | title = Constitution Sails on Waves of Time | last = Mehren | first = Elizabeth }}</ref>

On 21 July, she was towed {{convert|5|nmi|km mi}} offshore, where the tow line was dropped and Commander Beck ordered six sails set (jibs, topsails, and spanker). She then sailed for 40&nbsp;minutes on a south-south-east course with true wind speeds of about {{convert|12|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on}}, attaining a top recorded speed of {{convert|4|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name="LAT07-22-97" /> Her modern US naval combatant escorts were the guided-missile destroyer {{USS|Ramage|DDG-61|2}} and frigate {{USS|Halyburton|FFG-40|2}}. They rendered [[Manning the rail|passing honors]] to "Old Ironsides" while she was under sail, and she was overflown by the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the [[Blue Angels]]. Inbound to her permanent berth at Charlestown, she rendered a 21-gun salute to the nation off [[Fort Independence (Massachusetts)|Fort Independence]] in Boston Harbor.<ref Name="Sail200-1" />