Old Ironsides

"IN the course of the events connected with the naval history and the
naval glory of the country, this ship has become so renowned by her services and
her success as to be entitled to have her biography written, as well as those
who have gained distinction on her deck. Half a century has endeared her to the
nation, and her career may be said to be coexistent, as well as coequal in fame,
with that of the service to which she belongs. It is seldom, indeed, that men
have ever come to love and respect a mere machine as this vessel is loved and
respected among the Americans, and we hope the day may be far distant when this
noble frigate will cease to occupy her place on the list of the marine of the
republic. It is getting to be an honor, of itself, to have commanded her, and a
long catalogue of names belonging to gallant and skilful seamen, has already
been gathered into the records of the past, that claim this enviable
distinction. Among them we find those of Talbot, Nicholson, Preble, Decatur,
Rogers, Hull, Bainbridge, and others, sea captains renowned for their courage,
enterprise, and devotion to the flag. Neither disaster nor disgrace ever befell
any man who filled this honorable station, though the keel of this bold craft
has ploughed nearly every sea, and her pennant has been seen abroad in its
pride, in the hostile presence equally of the Briton, the Frenchman, and the
Turk."

-- Excerpted from "Old Ironsides"