a bit of little known naval history
Last Post 25 Aug 2012 03:31 AM by vkinder. 3 Replies.
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swamprat01User is Offline

swamprat01 Send Private Message Posts:18
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01 Apr 2012 06:24 PM

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 rumaboard 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.

 

GO NAVY!

abranchUser is Offline

abranch Send Private Message Posts:530
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07 Apr 2012 12:04 PM
Reckon those fellows had their priorities right.
NAHC, NAFC, NRA, Vietnam Vet.'67-'68 188th AHC , Bullhead City, AZ. HUNT HARD, KILL CLEANLY, USE WHAT YOU KILL, APPOLOGIZE TO NO ONE.
gutpileUser is Offline

gutpile Send Private Message Posts:560
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24 Aug 2012 10:27 AM
Back in those days water made you sick booze didn't. Can you imagine what would be growing in a barrel of water after a year? Thinking about it turns my stomach YEECH!
Liberals Negate Darwinian Theory Kishel's Scent and Lures www.kishelscents.com
vkinderUser is Offline

vkinder Send Private Message Posts:5180
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25 Aug 2012 03:31 AM
Way to go Navy.







Old Hunters never die. They just run out of AMMO. Viet Nam Vet 68/69 Navy SeaBee Also National Guard Life Member NAHC & NAFC Member Everyday Hunter & HuntingNet.com & Outdoor America, Master Mason.


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