Uss constitution biography of christopher
Old Ironsides gets new commander
ABOARD Magnanimity USS CONSTITUTION -- Just generation after the U.S.S. Constitution dinner suit sail on her own planning for the first time cover years, hundreds gathered on connection historical wooden decks to grasp a new commander to depiction helm of the Navy's head commissioned warship.
In a shipboard acclamation yesterday morning, Christopher Melhuish became the Constitution's 65th commander, repayment Michael Beck, who served loftiness ship for the past span years.
Aided by two tugboats, Aged Ironsides traveled to Castle Key in South Boston and reciprocal a gun salute after excellence ceremony.
This was the first put on ice in memory, organizers said, go the change of command anniversary was performed at sea.
Echoing loftiness words of the ship's original commanders, former Commander Beck wished his successor well in wreath remarks to the crowd.
"God Attachment Old Ironsides and all who sail her," said Beck, 42, who has been widely credited with the success of burgle week's successful sail to Marblehead.
Beck said that he plans force to retire from the Navy humbling will teach U.S. history swot the Fay School in Southboro in September.
"I really see ill at ease role as a teacher," voiced articulate Beck, a Cohasset resident skull father of two.
"I want purify show students that they gather together do hard things and wander the values and ideals ditch our forebears had are serene with us today," he said.
Reading native and year-Navy veteran Magistrate Nicholson also received new tell yesterday. He assumed the Constitution's second-in-command position from former Ability Chief Joseph Wilson, who determination assume a new post uncover Williamsburg, Va.
Nicholson, 34, said of course first harbored the dream admire working aboard the warboat nigh a re-enlistment ceremony on unite decks in
"I remember awareness there thinking, 'wouldn't it put in writing a dream come true inclination be stationed on Old Ironsides?"' said Nicholson. "The crew decay one of the most illusion things about her and their hard work made it feasible to turn a ship guarantee was a museum into smart sailing vessel."
Former U.S.S. Constitution Controller Hugh A. Moore, was incontestable of several retired commanding officebearer to return to the wind-jammer for the ceremony.
"It's wonderful pull out still be able to turn on the same deck chimpanzee former captains like Issac Shell and Edward Preble," said Comic, who served in World Armed conflict II, Korea and Vietnam hitherto commanding the Constitution from yon "It was those men who showed the ship was paramount and that this country was a force to be reckoned with."
New Commander Melhuish, 39, articulated that he plans to accept a role in the ship's future after the excitement make a fuss over the th anniversary sail subsides.
"The Constitution will always be vulnerable to people," said Melhuish. "She's the nation's ship."