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M 0518
Note: Only
those rolls covering periods when CONSTITUTION was in squadron
service have been researched.
Roll 1, Vol 1 (September 12 ‑ December 30, 1842)
NOTHING
Vol 2 (January 4 ‑ June 30, 1843)
From
the Chief, Bureau of Construction, Equipment, & Repair, 10 Feb 1843:
CONSTITUTION's crew would have been
transferred to
Vol 3 (July 5 ‑ December 30, 1843)
From
the Chief, Bureau of Construction, Equipment, & Repair, 2 Nov 1843:
"I have conferred with Captain
Percival and find the Constitution's spars are not complete, and her sails
unfit for a winter cruise on our coast...
"With respect to the
Constitution, I recommend a new set of lower masts, to be made suitable to the
dimensions established for that class of frigates, and reserve those now in her
for a frigate of the class of the St. Lawrence."
From
the Chief, Bureau of Construction, Equipment, & Repair, 22 Nov 1843:
"The present magazine of the
Constitution is on the plan which was in vogue during the last war with
"The new plan of Magazines and
mode of carrying powder is, undoubtedly, a great improvement ‑
sufficiently great, I think, to warrant the expense of the alteration.
"Captain Percival promises to
forward an estimate of what it will cost to alter the Constitution's magazine;
in which the price of the copper tanks to hold the powder should be included.‑ The great advantage of the modern plan is its
comparative security against fire."
Roll 2, Vol 4 (January 2 ‑ March 30, 1844)
From
the Chief, Bureau of Yards and Docks, 23 Jan 1844:
Acknowledges receipt of letter
advising that CONSTITUTION "had been put in commission, under the command of
Captain John Percival, for a cruise to the
From the Chief, Bureau of Construction,
Equipment, & Repair, 24 Jan 1844:
"I have the honor to report, that
I have performed the duty assigned me by your order of the 9th, and that I have
visited the frigate Constitution for examination, of which I beg leave to make
the following statement.
"I inspected the ship on each
deck & in the hold, and also looked carefully at the outside on both
sides. As she was entirely closed up, by
having had all the defective planks, and the few defective pieces of timber,
such as a small piece of the keelson, and a gun beam [sic] repaired
substantially, and the whole hull inside & outside thoroughly caulked, I did
not deem it necessary, to resort to the usual means of ascertaining decay, by
boring into timbers, represented, & doubtless correctly too, to be sound;
or by taking off planks, or raising the rails.
"I was the less disposed to do
this, as I understood from Captain Percival, who had superintended her repair,
that all this had been done; & that under the magazine, where decay is
certainly to be found, if it exists; there was nothing of the sort apparent,
after a diligent search by dubbing and boring.
"The wales were somewhat
defective, on the starboard side, and about 350 feet of them were replaced with
new & sound plank‑ The battery
planks (those between the ports of the gun deck) were found in several places
decayed, and were removed. The head
casing and planking, & the short planks, in contact with it, were also
replaced; as required, by reason of their unsound condition.
"At the suggestion of the Naval
Constructor, Mr. Rhodes, eighteen stout rider knees have been placed on the
birth deck; having the arms strongly bolted through the deck & beams; and
the bodies secured, by bolts through the ceiling, frame timbers, & the wale
planks. As they have been placed in the
body of the ship, between the mizzen and fore masts, where vessels always work
most in heavy weather; they will greatly strengthen her, and prevent her
working, which was a cause of complaint on her last cruize [sic], and the
principal reason I understand, for placing her in ordinary.
"The masts of the first class
frigates, which she hitherto had; and which although too large, were put in her
from necessity, have been taken out, and replaced by others of less dimensions,
by 7 1/2 in the partners. This reduction
of weight & size, will contribute greatly to her buoyancy and stability,
and will add much to her durability.
"The rudder was found greatly
defective, & the workmen were engaged in making the principal part new,
when I visited the ship.
"She has been docked, had her
copper repaired, her seams examined & thoroughly caulked.
"From
what I saw, and from what I heard from Capt. Percival, corroborated by the
foreman of carpenters, I should consider her fit for a long cruize. I was told, in answer to very particular
enquiries, that her timbers were quite sound, above & below. The only exception was a little soft wood, on
one or two of the upper futtocks, which being taken of with the adze, showed
them to be sound; and did not diminish their strength, as they had been put in
with it on."
Vol 5 (April 1 ‑ June 29, 1844)
NOTHING
Vol 6
(July 1 ‑ September 30, 1844)
NOTHING
Vol 7
(October 1 ‑ December 31, 1844)
NOTHING
Roll 3, Vol 8
(January 2 ‑ June 28, 1845)
NOTHING
Vol 9 (July 2 ‑ December 30, 1845)
NOTHING
Roll 4, Vol 10 (January 2 ‑ April 30, 1846)
NOTHING
Vol 11 (May 1 ‑ August 31, 1846)
NOTHING
Vol 12 (September 1 ‑ December 31, 1846)
From
the Chief, Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, 9 Oct 1846:
Forwards list [not included] of men
from CONSTITUTION unfit for further service in the Navy.
Roll 5, Vol 13 (January 2 ‑ June 29, 1847)
NOTHING
Vol 14 (July 7 ‑ December 23, 1847)
NOTHING
Vol 15 (January 1 ‑ June 30, 1848)
NOTHING
Roll 6, Vol 16 (July 1 ‑ December 30, 1848)
From
Chief of Medicine & Surgery, 8 Sep 1848:
Assistant Surgeon P. J. Horwitz has
been ordered to CONSTITUTION.
From
Chief, Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, 16 Sep 1848:
Revokes previous orders for
"Surgeon Johnson," now at the Boston Navy Yard, to report to
CONSTITUTION, and substitutes Surgeon C. F. B. Guillou, to report by 10 Oct.
Vol 17 (January 3 ‑ June 30, 1849)
NOTHING
Roll 7, Vol 18 (July 1 ‑ December 31, 1849)
NOTHING
Vol 19 (January 6, 1847 ‑ December 20,
1849) ("Supplemental")
NOTHING
Roll 8, Vol 20
(January 1 ‑ June 29, 1850)
NOTHING
Vol 21 (July 1 ‑ December 31, 1850)
NOTHING
Roll 9, Vol 22 (January 1 ‑ June 30, 1851)
From
Chief, Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, 21 Jan 1851:
Acknowledges the Secretary's letter of
20 Jan concerning the dismantling and placing in ordinary of CONSTITUTION and
four other ships.
Vol 23 (July 1 ‑ December 31, 1851)
NOTHING
Vol 24 (January 7 ‑ December 24, 1851)
("Supplemental")
NOTHING
Roll 10, Vol 25 (January 2 ‑ June 30, 1852)
From
the Chief, Bureau of Construction & Repair, 21 Jan 1852:
In the annual report I had the honor
to make to the Department on the 1st November 1850, the Bureau recommended that
the Frigates 'United States' 'Constitution' and 'Constellation,' built in the
year 1797, be no longer fitted for Sea Service, as their great age rendered
extensive repairs frequently necessary, and for other reasons not necessary to
repeat.
"On a recent examination (mostly
external) of the first Named Ship, repaired in 1841, and again repaired in
1845, it was estimated that her repairs would amount to the sum of $152,000,
the report goes on to say, 'it being impossible to ascertain the condition of
her timbers without removing many planks.'
It is therefore reasonable to infer, that the defects in her frame, the
extent of which is entirely unknown, would swell the amount to at least 200,000
Dollars; this opinion is strengthened by the fact that, the repairs of the
'Constitution' in 1848, cost 198,617 Dollars; she has made one cruise since
that period, and is now in condition to make another of the usual duration, at
its expiration, she will require another extensive repair. The 'Constellation' is also, very defective,
and would require a large outlay to prepare her as a Frigate for Service.
"The great expense of keeping up
very old Ships, arises from the necessity of tearing down work done at one
repair, to replace parts which have become defective since that period, and
require to be renewed.
"The Bureau would therefore, in
view of these facts, recommend, that the Frigate [sic] 'Sabine,' at New York,
and 'Santee' at Portsmouth, N.H., which has been on the Stocks, the former,
since 1822, the latter, since 1820, be completed to take the places of the 'U.
States' and 'Constellation,' the latter Ship being a small Frigate, mounting 18
Pounders, may be razeed, and made an efficient Sloop of War. In this connection, the Bureau would
respectfully call attention to the fact, that, the entire number of Sloops of
War belonging to the Navy, are now employed, with one exception, and that one
could only be prepared for Service at an expense equal perhaps, to the cost of
a new Ship.
"The Bureau would therefore,
recommend the addition of Ten first [sic] Class Sloops, to the number of those
useful and active cruisers; also, Five smaller vessels, these, with the annual
addition of one Steamer, and one Sailing vessel, as recommended by the
Department, would enable the Government to extend in greater measure, its
protection to our already wide spread, and daily expanding Commerce. The great benefits derived by this source of
our wealth and power, from the frequent appearance of our Ships of War,
especially in remote Seas, and the additional confidence and security of our
Citizens engaged in its pursuit, can only be fully appreciated by those who
have witnessed or felt its influence."
[Signed "Chas Wm Skinner."]
Vol 26 (July 1 ‑ December 31, 1852)
NOTHING
Roll 11, Vol 27 (January 2 ‑ December 24, 1852)
("Supplemental")
From
the Chief, Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, 7 Dec 1852:
Requests permission to substitute
"Surgeon Sharp" for "Surgeon Wood," about whom there are
"serious objections," as fleet surgeon in CONSTITUTION.
From
the Chief, Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, 14 Dec 1852:
Nominates Surgeon W. S. W.
Ruschenberger in place of Dr. Wood.
[Annotated: "Send preparatory orders to Dr. Ruschenberger. Done 15 Decr 1852."]
From
the Chief, Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, 15 Dec 1852:
Nominates Doctors John L. Burtt and
John C. Coleman to be the junior medical officers in CONSTITUTION.
From
the Chief, Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, 24 Dec 1852:
Withdraws nomination of Dr.
Ruschenberger and substitutes "Dr. Barrington."
Vol 28 (January 5 ‑ June 30, 1853)
From
the Chief, Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, 14 Jan 1853:
Nominates Surgeon M. G. Delaney,
Passed Assistant Surgeon John L. Burtt, and Assistant Surgeon William L. Nichol
for CONSTITUTION. [First two so ordered
15 Jan.]
Vol 29 (July 1 ‑ December 30, 1853)
NOTHING
Roll 12, Vol 30 (January 3 ‑ June 30, 1854)
From
the Chief, Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, 3 Jun 1854:
Reports squadrons' mortality rates for
the period 1848‑1852:
Vol 31 (July 1 ‑ December 29, 1854)
NOTHING
Vol 32 (January 2 ‑ June 28, 1855)
NOTHING
Roll 13, Vol 33 (July 2 ‑ December 31, 1855)
NOTHING
Vol 34 (January 2 ‑ June 28, 1856)
NOTHING
Vol 35 (July 1 ‑ December 31, 1856)
NOTHING
Roll 14, Vol 36 (January 2 ‑ June 30, 1857)
NOTHING
Vol 37 (July 1 ‑ December 31, 1857)
NOTHING
Vol 38 (January 4 ‑ June 30, 1858)
NOTHING
Vol 39 (July 6 ‑ December 31, 1858)
NOTHING
Roll 15, Vol 40 (January 3 ‑ December 31, 1859)
NOTHING
Vol 41 (January 6 ‑ June 30, 1859)
NOTHING
Vol 42 (July 3 ‑ December 28, 1859)
From
the Chief, Bureau of Ordnance & Hydrography, 10 Jul 1860:
Recommends that lockers to be
installed in CONSTITUTION for the Acting Midshipmen be contracted for at
Roll 16, Vol 43 (January 3 ‑ May 4, 1861)
NOTHING
Vol 44 (May 1 ‑ August 31, 1861)
NOTHING
Vol 45 (September 2 ‑ December 30, 1861)
NOTHING
Roll 17, Vol 46 (January 1 ‑ April 30, 1862)
NOTHING
Vol 47 (May 2 ‑ July 31, 1862)
NOTHING
Roll 18, Vol 48 (August 1 ‑ October 31, 1862)
NOTHING
Vol 49 (November 1 ‑ December 31, 1862)
NOTHING
Vol 50 (January 3 ‑ February 28, 1863)
NOTHING
Roll 19, Vol 51 (March 2 ‑ April 29, 1863)
NOTHING
Vol 52 (May 1 ‑ June 30, 1863)
NOTHING
Vol 53 (July 1 ‑ August 31, 1863)
NOTHING
Vol 54 (September 1 ‑ October 31, 1863)
NOTHING
Vol 55 (November 2 ‑ December 31, 1863)
NOTHING
Roll 20, Vol 56 (January 2 ‑ April 30, 1864)
NOTHING
Vol 57 (May 2 ‑ August 31, 1864)
NOTHING
Roll 21, Vol 58 (September 2 ‑ December 31, 1864)
NOTHING
Vol 59 (January 1 ‑ June 30, 1865)
NOTHING
Roll 22, Vol 60 (July 1 ‑ December 28, 1865)
From
the Chief, Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, 4 Nov 1865:
Recommends that Surgeon J. S. Dungan
be detached from
Vol 61 (January 2 ‑ June 29, 1866)
NOTHING
Roll 23, Vol 62 (July 2 ‑ December 31, 1866)
NOTHING
Vol 63 (January 2 ‑ December 20, 1867)
NOTHING
Roll 24, Vol 64 (January 2 ‑ December 31, 1868)
NOTHING
Vol 65 (January 4 ‑ June 29, 1869)
NOTHING
Roll 25, Vol 66 (July 1 ‑ December 30, 1869)
NOTHING
Vol 67 (January 1 ‑ December 28, 1870)
NOTHING
Vol 68 (January 4 ‑ December 28, 1871)
NOTHING
Roll 26, Vol 69 (January 3 ‑ December 31, 1872)
NOTHING
Vol 70 (January 2 ‑ December 31, 1873)
NOTHING
Roll 27, Vol 71 (January 2 ‑ December 31, 1874)
NOTHING
Vol 72 (January 4 ‑ December 31, 1875)
NOTHING
Roll 28, Vol 73 (January 3 ‑ December 27, 1876)
NOTHING
Vol 74 (January 6 ‑ December 26, 1877)
NOTHING
Roll 29, Vol 75 (January 4 ‑ December 30, 1878)
NOTHING
Vol 76 (January 2 ‑ December 29, 1879)
NOTHING
Roll 30, Vol 77 (January 2 ‑ December 30, 1880)
NOTHING
Vol 78 (January 5 ‑ December 29, 1881)
NOTHING
Vol 79 (January 3 ‑ April 29, 1882)
Letter
from Chief, Bureau of Steam Engineering, 7 Mar 1882:
Repairs to CONSTITUTION's steam launch
at
Roll 31, Vol 80 (May 1 ‑ August 31, 1882)
From
the Chief, Bureau of Construction and Repair, 2 Jun 1882:
Lists CONSTITUTION "in ordinary,
at
Vol 81
(September 2 ‑ December 30, 1882)
From
the Chief, Bureau of Steam Engineering, 15 Nov 1882:
Reports that during the fiscal year
ending 30 June 1882, the following money was expended on repairs to the steam
launch of CONSTITUTION "wood, 3d rate:" $119.18.
Vol 82
(January 2 ‑ June 30, 1883)
NOTHING
Roll 32, Vol 83
(July 3 ‑ December 28, 1883)
NOTHING
Vol 84
(January 2 ‑ April 30, 1884)
NOTHING
Roll 33, Vol 85
(May 2 ‑ August 30, 1884)
NOTHING
Vol 86 (September 1 ‑ December 30, 1884)
NOTHING
Vol 87 (March 18, 1885 ‑ January 13,
1886)
From
the Chief, Bureau of Construction and Repair, 30 Jul 1885:
In reporting on the condition of ships
in ordinary at the various yards, wrote this: "'CONSTITUTION'. A sailing frigate, well housed over, and in
fine condition for a receiving ship, but not in commission."
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The
Captain's Clerk |