Plucky's adventures in Naval History

12/02/2014

While I wish I was in Hawaii this December 7th, visiting the National Museum of the United States Navy is a perfect place to go to learn about Naval History.

ATTENTION VISITORS! To visit the museum this weekend, please go to the Visitor Center at 11th and O Street SE, Washington D.C. Please make sure everyone in your group over the age of 18 has a valid form of ID (license, passport). Once the guards review your IDs, someone will es**rt you to the museum. If you have a military ID or Common Access Card (CAC), you will be able to enter unchaperoned. If you have any questions, please call 202-433-4882. We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

12/01/2014

10/10/2014

There is another reason to celebrate Monday October 13th, it is the Navy's 239th Birthday! The Museum is open from 10-5 Saturday Sunday and Monday. http://www.history.navy.mil/Commemorations/NavyBirthDay/NavyBirthDay-index.htm

Navy Birthday information from the Naval History and Heritage Command

10/03/2014

This nifty looking bowl was not for eating meals but were used by doctors to mix medicines during the War of 1812. This one was recovered from the remains of Barney’s Flotilla and has been properly cleaned, but I still wouldn’t use it for a cereal bowl!

10/01/2014

I have been out sick, but am on the mend thanks to large amounts of vitamin C. Scurvy, a disease caused by not getting enough vitamin C, was a difficulty for Sailors during the War of 1812 because on long voyages, they didn’t have access to as many citrus fruits and fresh veggies as we do today. If left untreated, black spots would form on the skin, and teeth would fall out. This Dental Tooth Key recovered from the remains of Barney’s Flotilla, would have been used by the surgeon to remove any infected teeth by twisting.

09/27/2014

Stop by the Festival today on 8th street SE to see learn more about National Museum of the United States Navy and a spooky October event.

09/22/2014

Here I am next to the sword that Commodore Joshua Barney surrendered at the Battle of Bladensburg on August 24, 1814. Barney led his crew of Sailors and Marines as part of this land battle. Below Barney’s sword is the sword worn by General Ross of the British Army who won the Battle of Bladensburg and lead the capture of Washington, DC.

09/19/2014

Born in Baltimore in 1759, Joshua Barney was an American Navy officer who commanded the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla during the war of 1812. In requesting supplies for his Sailors and Marines, he ordered some pikes. After the ships were burned to prevent capture Barney led his shipless crew in the Battle of Bladensburg. During the battle, the naval forces cried “board them” as they attacked on land. Barney’s Flotilla would be a great miniseries! Also this case is really hard to photograph.

09/18/2014

Today I learned that you used to be able to order your china kind of like when I ordered custom T-shirts for the family reunion, by sending over the images you want them to use to create the object. Captain Thomas Truxtun used his sailing plan of CONSTELLATION for this punch bowl he ordered. He also ordered on for George Washington and Mount Vernon has that on display in their museum.

09/17/2014

I was walking around in the Museum and saw this reproduction of the 36-guns frigate CONSTELLATION built in Baltimore in 1797! Did you know that this frigate was so fast that she was called Yankee Race Horse? It’s also a frigate with a rich history; she was in service during the Quasi war, the Barbary War and also the War of 1812! USS CONSTELLATION was one of the "Six Original Frigates" authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. This famous boat defeated the fastest ship of the French navy. It was the first major victory of an American-built warship. For more reading check out http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c13/constellation-i.htm

09/16/2014

Another great Battle of Lake Champlain artifact is this cannon ball fired from SARATOGA during the battle. This was on display at Union College in Schenectady, NY to inspire the students as you can read on the display stand.

09/15/2014

This past weekend had so much many 1814 themed events going on in Baltimore that I am a bit tired. So after a second "cup of Joe" as they say in the Navy, let me try this again. Here I am next to the exhibit panel showing my relative inspiring the Sailors of SARATOGA during the battle of Lake Champlain! This was the second ship of that name to serve in the Navy. Now some say that many great Grandpa Chanticleer landed in the rigging, and others on the gun slide, but both versions of the tale agree that he was an inspiration to the crew. To read more about the ship http://history.navy.mil/danfs/s6/saratoga-ii.htm