FRIGATE CONSTITUTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22583, 23 November 1936, Page 10

FRIGATE CONSTITUTION

LAST MEMBER OF CREW DIES VETERAN AMERICAN SAILOR (Received November 22, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 21 A telegram from Paterson, New Jersey, states that Mr. William Plumb, aged 73, the last member of tlio crew of tlio famed "Old ironsides," the United States frigate Constitution, died of heart failure when presenting a picture of tlio vessel to the Paterson Preparatory School. Mr. Plumb collapsed as the students •were cheering at the finish of his speech. ' The frigate Constitution, familiarly known as "Old Ironsides," was one of the first three naval vessels built by the United States. She was launched in 1797 but it- was not until the war of 1812 that she won her enduring place in American history. On August 10 in that year when the morale of the country was at a low ebb, the Constitution, under the command of Captain Isaac Hull, won a victory the British frigate Guerriere. This was followed by several other victories. On June 16, 1!>27, "Old Ironsides" was dry-docked at'the Charlestown naval yard, Boston, for her fourth reconstruction. She was what was known as a 4-l-gun frigate, though she carried more tliq.il that ' number.