[OT] Provision logistics

Digital_Trucker · 04-08-08, 09:22 AM

I know this is totally off topic, but couldn't help but share it

A Lesson in Naval Logistics

On 23 August 1779, the USS Constitution set sail from Boston, loaded with 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of water, 74,000 cannon shot, 115,000 pounds of black powder and 79,000 gallons of rum.

Her mission: to destroy and harass English Shipping

On 6 October, she made Jamaica, took on 826 pounds of flour and 688,300 gallons of rum.

Three weeks later, Constitution reached the Azores, where she provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and 300 gallons of Portuguese wine.

On 18 November, she set sail for England where her crew captured and scuttled 12 English merchant vessels and took aboard rum.
By this time, Constitution had run out of shot.

Nevertheless, she made her way unarmed up the Firth of Clyde for a night raid. Here, her landing party captured a whiskey distillery, transferred 13,000 gallons aboard and headed for home.

On 20 February 1780, the Constitution arrived in Boston with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, no rum, and no whiskey.

She did, however, still carry her crew of 475 officers and men and 18,600 gallons of water. The math is quite enlightening:

Length of cruise: 181 days
Booze consumption: 1.26 gallons per man per day
(this DOES NOT include the unknown quantity of rum captured from the 12 English merchant vessels in November).

Naval historians note that the re-enlistment rate from this cruise was 92%.

LOGISTICS LESSON LEARNED:
Don’t load up with too much water.

Takao · 04-08-08, 10:15 AM

You're a little late for April Fool's Day. It's an Urban Legend and the date of this exploit varies. The story has been oft repeated, but has never been confirmed.

Seeing as construction of the USS Constitution was not authorized until 1794 and didn't put to sea till 1798, I don't think she was capturing/sinking ships and raiding the British coast in 1779.

Digital_Trucker · 04-08-08, 10:59 AM

I didn't say it was true, I just said I couldn't help but share it

At least I was exactly a week late

My bad for not doing any research, though. Consider me appropriately chastised

Quillan · 04-08-08, 12:03 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in those days, didn't the water go bad after a while (algae growth and such)? I thought the alcohol was for the same reason as the ancient armies carried wine, for health reasons. It would last a lot longer than the water would.

04-08-08, 09:22 AM	#1
Digital_Trucker Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Peach State Posts: 4,171 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 10	[OT] Provision logistics I know this is totally off topic, but couldn't help but share it A Lesson in Naval Logistics On 23 August 1779, the USS Constitution set sail from Boston, loaded with 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of water, 74,000 cannon shot, 115,000 pounds of black powder and 79,000 gallons of rum. Her mission: to destroy and harass English Shipping On 6 October, she made Jamaica, took on 826 pounds of flour and 688,300 gallons of rum. Three weeks later, Constitution reached the Azores, where she provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and 300 gallons of Portuguese wine. On 18 November, she set sail for England where her crew captured and scuttled 12 English merchant vessels and took aboard rum. By this time, Constitution had run out of shot. Nevertheless, she made her way unarmed up the Firth of Clyde for a night raid. Here, her landing party captured a whiskey distillery, transferred 13,000 gallons aboard and headed for home. On 20 February 1780, the Constitution arrived in Boston with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, no rum, and no whiskey. She did, however, still carry her crew of 475 officers and men and 18,600 gallons of water. The math is quite enlightening: Length of cruise: 181 days Booze consumption: 1.26 gallons per man per day (this DOES NOT include the unknown quantity of rum captured from the 12 English merchant vessels in November). Naval historians note that the re-enlistment rate from this cruise was 92%. LOGISTICS LESSON LEARNED: Don’t load up with too much water. __________________ RSM-GIEP-Killflags-LV Tribute-Playable Elco __Peace be with you, Dave.

04-08-08, 10:59 AM	#3
Digital_Trucker Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Peach State Posts: 4,171 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 10	I didn't say it was true, I just said I couldn't help but share it At least I was exactly a week late My bad for not doing any research, though. Consider me appropriately chastised __________________ RSM-GIEP-Killflags-LV Tribute-Playable Elco __Peace be with you, Dave.

04-08-08, 12:03 PM	#4
Quillan Samurai Navy Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 579 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Correct me if I'm wrong, but in those days, didn't the water go bad after a while (algae growth and such)? I thought the alcohol was for the same reason as the ancient armies carried wine, for health reasons. It would last a lot longer than the water would. __________________ We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, that we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.

04-08-08, 10:15 AM	#2
Takao Officer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 244 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	You're a little late for April Fool's Day. It's an Urban Legend and the date of this exploit varies. The story has been oft repeated, but has never been confirmed. Seeing as construction of the USS Constitution was not authorized until 1794 and didn't put to sea till 1798, I don't think she was capturing/sinking ships and raiding the British coast in 1779.