This is a 1931 photograph of the legendary frigate USS Constitution in the Elizabeth River. "Old Ironsides" docked in Norfolk for one week in September. She berthed at the "Old Indian Wharf," near the Berkley Bridge. She then sailed to Yorktown for the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown.The last time Constitution docked in Norfolk was in 1838 when Commodore Jesse Elliot brought the ship and several dozen Arabian horses, cattle, donkeys, and antiquities home from a Mediterranean cruise. The 1931 call was part of a national "thank you" tour. Because Congress was unwilling to appropriate public funds to restore Constitution in the 1920s (it was in the process of gutting the Navy as a whole), the Navy solicited private donations. Through a series of creative funding raising methods done across the United States, $600,000 was raised.
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Norfolk Mayor Jeff E. Robertson (at right) pretends (we think) to
give a sample of grog to Norfolk City Attorney John Sebrell, while
on board Constitution. It looks like the picture was taken in jest,
as Prohibition was still in effect.
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I remember going to see Old Tronsides as a very young girl. My Father was a welder in the Portsmouth ship yard and they allowed families to visit now and then. I can't remember exactly what the date was but I remember being scared to go aboard.I am 82 years old and we left Portsmouth after World War 11. I have so many memories of Portsmouth, Norfolk, Newport News Virginia Beach and Ocean View. We truly love Virginia.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing Old Ironsides when I was very young. My father was a welder at the ship yard during WW11 and were allowed to visit now and then. My father worked on the USS Lake Champlain, USS Tarawa, Harry Truman's yacht the Williamsburg and othersI wish I could remember the date but I an now 82 years old and we left Portsmouth after WW11.I can still remember places like Norfolk, Newport News, Virginia Beach and Ocean View which I understand is no longer there. I have so many good memories of Virginia. Patricia L. Busker Closser.
ReplyDeleteWe lived in a little community called Dandy, Virginia in a house that was situated near the York River. Yorktown was a few miles away. One day our Texas born parents told us that something historic and exciting would that be happening that day and that we six children need to run down to the River and wait. Daddy had heard in town that Old Ironsides would be towed up the York River and we would be able to see it from our place. Sure enough, in no time, it came into view! How exciting! We were paralyzed with awe and excitement, never realizing until many years later that memories of this event would remain as though we had stood on sacred soil, had breathed salty breaths of air from waves slapping the shore where so long ago others had watched and had wondered about the adventures of Old Ironsides.
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