ok, ok it is not about building boats,
and it is not even a song, though it
begs to become one....anyone???
i rec'd this tid bit of information
today and am passing on here..
Little Known Naval History

The U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides) as a combat
vessel carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her
crew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient to
last six months of sustained operations at sea. She
carried no evaporators (fresh water distillers).

However, let it be noted that according to her log,
"On July 27, 1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed from
Boston with a full complement of 475 officers and men,
48,600 gallons of fresh water, 7,400 cannon shot,
11,600 pounds of black powder and 79,400 gallons of
rum."

Her mission: "To destroy and harass English shipping."

Making Jamaica on 6 October, she took on 826 pounds of
flour and 68,300 gallons of rum.

Then she headed for the Azores, arriving there 12
November. She provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and
64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine.

On 18 November, she set sail for England.

In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-war
and captured and scuttled 12 English merchantmen, salvaging
only the rum aboard each.

By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted. Never-
theless, and though unarmed, she made a night raid up
the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Her landing party captured
a whiskey distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons of
single malt Scotch aboard by dawn.

Then she headed home.

The U.S.S. Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February
1799, with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, NO rum,
NO wine, NO whiskey and 38,600 gallons of stagnant water.

GO NAVY!