Fair Winds and Following Seas – IOTW Report

Fair Winds and Following Seas

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Boston.com—Old Ironsides is now the only commissioned ship in the US Navy to have sunk an enemy ship.

The USS Constitution stands alone.

The American frigate, known for its role in the War of 1812, is now the only ship in the U.S. Navy to sink an enemy vessel in action. The only other ship to share that title, the 30-year-old USS Simpson, was decommissioned on Tuesday.

The ship, also known as Old Ironsides, is currently in dry dock in the Charlestown Navy Yard for a two-year restoration project, estimated between $10 and $15 million.

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17 Comments on Fair Winds and Following Seas

  1. obama remains the only US president who has never honorably served the US yet has sunk the ship of state lower than any other.

    It’s time to decommission obama and his support of the united socialist states of America.

  2. This is not my Navy anymore, the US Navy I proudly served in during the early 70’s. It makes me sick what obummer has done to the Navy as well as the rest of the military. Admiral Zumwalt would keel haul his skinny ass if he could come back from the grave.

  3. operation praying mantis was directed by reagan after the uss samuel b roberts struck a mine

    at 0800 on 18 april 88, our ships took out most of the iranian navy

    my friend was tactical action officer on the simpson, and i had same responsibility on same class of ship in the action

    uss simpson took out an iranian gunboat with surface-to-surface missiles

    we sent many to allah their virgins that day, and were done by lunchtime

    praying mantis was the last united states naval engagement in history

    thank god we had a real president back then

    i was there, and i am not brian williams

  4. years ago I had the privilege of touring the USS Constitution. This Indiana born and bred guy has always been fascinated by the Navy. Anytime I get to the coast I try to tour a ship or two that
    is a tribute to a Navy that has protected us from foreign harm
    Thank you to all who served.

  5. After Hugo hit Charleston a friend, who is a wooden ships expert, went to select ship ribs from the many Southern live oaks downed.
    The wood is incredibly hard when properly cured, the naturally curving timbers were used extensively in the early shipbuilding industry, when ships were wood and men were iron.
    I imagine some of that wood will be used in the restoration, it’s pretty much illegal to harvest it.
    If I want to cut one down on my property, have to get an approval from three state/local agencies. If it’s older than 100, no way, a hundred is a young tree.
    Old Ironsides used Southern live oak ribs.

  6. tour recommendations

    uss midway – san diego

    uss new jersey – camden

    uss missouri – pearl harbor

    uss iowa – san pedro

    i am a bit biased towards battleships, coming from the ops environment on the new jersey

  7. I stood at the prow of the Constitution and screamed into the gale: “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed, ahead!”

    And then turned to David and said: “Mr. Farragut, we have not yet begun to fight!”

    David thanked me for inspiring him and the men …

  8. Whoa, you forgot Massachusetts, North Carolina, Texas, and Alabama. All great ships and with awesome access to the below-decks areas.

    Massachusetts – battleship on battleship action with Jean Bart.

    North Carolina – the Showboat! Long lance torpedo survivor.

    Texas – big win with the only reciprocating steam engines left.

    Alabama – (okay same class as Big Mamie, but still – she has alligators swim right beside her.)

    I’d include Wisconsin here in Norfolk, but not much to see below yet – just a main deck walk.

    I’m glad you included Big j though. She was my first ship and I still love her.

  9. Aye tear her tattered ensign down
    Long has it waved on high,
    And many an eye has danced to see
    That banner in the sky;
    Beneath it rung the battle shout,
    And burst the cannon’s roar;–
    The meteor of the ocean air
    Shall sweep the clouds no more.

    Her deck, once red with heroes’ blood,
    Where knelt the vanquished foe,
    When winds were hurrying o’er the flood,
    And waves were white below,
    No more shall feel the victor’s tread,
    Or know the conquered knee;–
    The harpies of the shore shall pluck
    The eagle of the sea!

    Oh, better that her shattered hulk
    Should sink beneath the wave;
    Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
    And there should be her grave;
    Nail to the mast her holy flag,
    Set every threadbare sail,
    And give her to the god of storms,
    The lightning and the gale!

    ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

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