On July 14, 1933, the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned naval ship still afloat, sailed into Bellingham Bay. Thousands visited during its seven-day stop.
Launched in 1797, the three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate has a long history. It protected American shipping during the Quasi-War with France and helped defeat pirates in the First Barbary War. Its greatest claim to fame, however, came during the War of 1812. The Constitution’s defeat of the British ship Guerriere electrified the struggling young nation.
The ship was immortalized in the 1830 poem, “Old Ironsides,” which helped save the ship from being decommissioned. It was made a museum ship in 1907. To celebrate its restoration, funded largely by schoolchildren, the vessel embarked on a 90-port exhibition cruise of the United States. The Constitution was towed by the USS Grebe, a minesweeper.
Welcome, Old Ironsides!
Departing from Boston on July 1, 1931, the two ships crossed the Panama Canal, making their way to the West Coast, visiting ports both large and small. Everett was the last stop before Bellingham, where the ship made its 68th stop and its northernmost port of call. On the trip, they sailed past Mount Constitution on Orcas Island, named for the ship by explorer Charles Wilkes.
Great excitement greeted the Constitution and Grebe’s afternoon arrival in Bellingham. People flocked to see them come in, even watching from the rooftops downtown. Vessels from the Bellingham Yacht Club welcomed the ships at Eliza Island. Two miles from shore the Constitution was met by the Richard Holyoke and Prosper. These two tugs from the Bellingham Tug & Barge Company pulled the Constitution into dock, followed by the Grebe. Mills and factories rang their whistles, including “Big Ole” at Bloedel-Donovan Lumber Mills.
After docking, Mayor John Kellogg and a committee in charge of the celebrations greeted the Constitution. Lieutenant Commander Henry Hartley was in command of the historic vessel while its captain, Commander Louis Gulliver, was on leave.
Visiting the Constitution
The ship opened daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for free tours. Thousands came each day, creating long lines. No parking was allowed near the dock. Army Street was closed to car traffic at Laurel Street.
The PTA brought students to the ship. The Mlunt Baker Theater showed the 1926 silent film “Old Ironsides” at a special morning children’s matinee on July 15.
One visitor had a personal connection to the ship. Abiah M. Geiger of Bellingham was the widow of Shapleigh Geiger, great-grandson of Betsy Ross, who famously sewed the first American flag — and the flag for the USS Constitution. “Very interesting old ship,” she told reporters.
Entertaining the Crew
The community came together to welcome both officers and crew. Hartley, an avid fisherman, visited Lake Whatcom. The Bellingham Golf and County Club offered free golf to officers and all personnel were offered free use of the YMCA.
On July 15, officers and their wives attended a Washington State Firemen’s Association demonstration at Battersby Field. The event culminated with the firemen setting a mock four-room house on fire and extinguishing it.
The next day the officers had lunch at Heather Meadows at Mount Baker. In the evening they enjoyed a southern-style chicken dinner at Frank and Ruby Taft’s resort and restaurant, “The Willows,” on Lummi Island. They also got a tour of the Pacific American Fisheries cannery to watch salmon being packed.
300 attended a civic luncheon on Monday, July 17 at the Leopold Hotel given in honor of the officers. Hartley spoke about the history of the “illustrious old frigate.” Officers spoke to other groups as well. On July 14, First Class Boatswain’s Mate Robert Craig and Chief Quartermaster William Stowe gave an illustrated lecture about the ship’s restoration for the Knights of Columbus at their hall. The public was invited. Two days later, Hartley visited the Ninety-and-Nine men’s bible class of the First Christian Church.
The sailors from the USS Constitution and Grebe also played baseball against local teams at Battersby Field. They were beaten 10 to 2 by Gordon’s Wreckers on July 17. Two days later, the sailors faced off against the Bellingham Tulips. Although the sailors lost 0 to 8, their pitcher Hart struck out nine Tulip batters.
The Constitution’s visit culminated with a parade on July 18. Led by a joint army and navy color guard, the parade included veterans and civic groups, as well as a naval band from the USS Concord The parade was followed by an “Old Ironsides” ball in the State Armory.
Bon Voyage, USS Constitution!
At 7 a.m. on July 20, the USS Constitution left en route to Anacortes on an “unruffled sea under a cloudless sky,” wrote the Bellingham Herald. “And after so tempestuous a career, in war and peace, may her voyage be thus until she reaches her last port of heroic ships, to live in the hearts of patriotic Americans!”
A total of 43,064 people visited the ship during its seven-day stop in Bellingham, many more than the city’s official population! The vessel gained an hour on its trip, since Anacortes followed standard time, not daylight savings time. Then it was on to Portland. The historic vessel continued its voyage, returning to Boston in May 1934. Today it welcomes visitors at the USS Constitution Museum in Boston.
