Brattlecast #200 - Old Ironsides

Today we’re talking about a fascinating recent appraisal: a Midshipman’s journal of the USS Constitution’s world cruise. First launched in 1797, ‘Old Ironsides’ played a crucial role in the early days of the United States Navy, defeating five British warships during the War of 1812. In 1844 she embarked on a two-year global voyage, the first half of which is documented in our unusually well-written and richly-detailed journal. We’ll discuss this remarkable travelogue, journals in general, and the Constitution’s current role as a local museum ship in this seaworthy new #brattlecast.