Vintage USS Constitution Old Ironsides Souvenir Official Program Seattle WA 1933

Description

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Estate sale find, vintage original Official Program, U.S. Frigate Constitution Commissioned 1797 at Seattle, 1933, May 31-June 15, Compiled by Associated Oil Company for the Mayor's Citizen's Committee for the Reception of U.S.F. Constitution.
On May 31, 1933, the historic frigate USS Constitution arrived at the Port of Seattle, under tow of the mine sweeper USS Grebe (AM-43). After making a grand circuit of Elliott Bay, "Old Ironsides" was moored at Pier 41 in Smith Cove.
The visit was part of a three-year tour around the United States, a public "thank you" to everyone who, from 1925 to 1930, helped raise almost million to completely restore the deteriorating vessel. The Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world, was the centerpiece of Seattle’s "Gala Days" and was open to the public for two weeks.
The USS Constitution is a 2,200-ton, 175-foot, wooden-hulled, three-masted frigate, built in Boston, Massachusetts, at the Edmund Hartt Shipyard. Launched in 1797, she was one of six frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Armament Act in 1794.
Named by President George Washington (1732-1799), the Constitution is most famous for her actions against the British Navy during the War of 1812. She earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” in an engagement with the HMS Guerriere, a frigate mounting 49 guns.
During a 20-minute, close-quarter battle, the 44-gun Constitution, disabled, captured, and then sunk the British warship, while her thick, oak hull sustained relatively minor damage from cannon balls. It was a great moral victory for the fledgling United States Navy against the most powerful naval force in the world.
After the war (1812-1815), "Old Ironsides" was refitted and served as flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron. A survey in 1830 determined the frigate was unseaworthy and Congress considered relegating her to the scrap yard. But public sentiment and Oliver Wendell Holmes’ memorable poem "Old Ironsides" saved the ship from destruction.
The Constitution was repaired, refitted, and returned to commissioned status four times between 1832 and 1907. From 1897 to 1925, she was on exhibition at the Boston Naval Shipyard. When a survey in 1924 determined that "Old Ironsides" was again in dire need of repairs, Congress authorized her restoration by public subscription and Secretary of the Navy Curtis D. Wilbur (1867-1954) initiated a national voluntary campaign to raise the necessary funds.
On March 15, 1930, the Constitution left dry-dock with major repairs completed. The total cost of this extensive restoration was close to million. Approximately two-thirds of the money had been raised by patriotic organizations and school children, and the remainder, needed to complete the restoration, was appropriated by Congress. On July 2, 1931, after sitting for 34 years at the Boston Naval Shipyard, the USS Constitution, under the command of Commander Louis J. Gulliver (1884-1962), set sail on a goodwill tour of New England ports.
The voyage proved so popular that the historic warship was sent on a tour of all the coastal states of America.
The brochure measures approximately 3.5" X 8" (folded), shipping weight approximately 4 ounces.
PLEASE SEE DESCRIPTION AND PHOTOS FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS - The brochure is in overall Fair to Good Minus used condition with signs of wear, soiling, stains, age toning, fading, tears, creases, no writing, no odors, please see images.
(C1C4-105)