Courtesy Photo | The USS Constitution gets underway Aug. 23 in Boston Harbor to commemorate the 201st...... read more read more
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PHILADELPHIA - The underwater hull of the historic USS Constitution needs to be covered, and Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support is providing the copper to do so.
The DLA Troop Support construction and equipment supply chain is providing 800 custom pieces of copper to the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, said James Pfender, a logistics specialist with DLA Troop Support.
The USS Constitution earned its nickname “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812 against the British. The ship launched in 1797 as part of the new U.S. Navy in response to Barbary pirates, which threatened merchant shipping off the northern coast of Africa. It’s now open for tours in Charleston, Mass., just north of Boston.
The Naval History and Heritage Command Boston Detachment performs all restoration work on the USS Constitution, ensuring it’s as close to the 1812 configuration as possible, according to the command’s website.
The detachment registered in late August for DLA Troop Support Construction and Equipment’s northeast metals prime vendor Program to order the copper. Each of the 800 custom-sized copper sheets ordered for the hull will be run through a machine that punches more than 30 holes for bolts arranged in the same original pattern, Pfender said.
Through C&E’s prime vendor metals program, customers can order all raw metal types, forms and shapes through the vendor’s electronic ordering system, Pfender said.
C&E has also provided custom wood items to the USS Constitution for more than 10 years for various overhaul projects.
There are plans to order more copper sheets for the ship later this fall, said Richard Moore, a fiscal and administrative officer with the detachment.
Old Ironsides gained its nickname during a 35-minute battle off the coast of Nova Scotia. According to the ship’s website, an astonished sailor observed British cannonballs bouncing harmlessly off the USS Constitution’s 25-inch oak hull and cried out, “Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!”
That battle was the first of three victories for “Old Ironsides” over the British navy during the War of 1812.
| Date Taken: | 10.01.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.15.2013 09:08 |
| Story ID: | 116789 |
| Location: | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 147 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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