Did you know that the USS Constitution is now the only commissioned ship to have sunk an enemy ship?

2015-10-01T05:59:09-04:00

http://www.boston.com/news/2015/09/29/old-ironsides-now-the-only-commissioned-ship-the-navy-have-sunk-enemy-ship/aIS1rNzaRZ1jjn0CTtWbjJ/story.html?p1=stream_news

Old Ironsides is now the only commissioned ship in the Navy to have sunk an enemy ship

The American frigate, known for its role in the War of 1812, is now the only ship in the U.S. Navy to sink an enemy vessel in action. The only other ship to share that title, the 30-year-old USS Simpson, was decommissioned on Tuesday.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Oct 1 at 2015 6:04 AM

2015-10-01T06:04:41-04:00

I guess this is where we talk about lacking experience in combat?

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 1 at 2015 6:06 AM

2015-10-01T06:06:35-04:00

Contrary to the comments by a Navy MCPO here I did not serve onboard this old ship during the War of 1812. But 142 years later & had the midnight watch for a few months in the dead of winter.. I will swear this old ship is haunted because I heard voices coming from her on several occasions..And was told that was just the wind howling through her open portholes. But I didn't buy that BS & how would the wind know my name?? Strange but true

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 1 at 2015 12:25 PM

2015-10-01T12:25:52-04:00

If you look at it one way, it's a good thing. You can argue if we should have sunk something somewhere over some semi non-event, but overall it's not an inherently bad thing. Same argument over we haven't used a nuke in anger since 1945. Yes we and others have popped off some small pirate craft on a regular basis, but that's not heavy hitters going at it.

I remember negotiating with the ROKN types years ago. Seems they wanted us to "give" them more Harpoons. They already had enough for Harpoon worthy targets but it was a "face" matter to be able to blow a sampan up with one. We told them they could buy all they wanted; the US manufacturer would appreciate the business.