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60 Guns of Old Ironsides (Continued from Page 24) navy department has in its archives, copies of some of “the correspond- ence with reference to naval matters during the time the affairs of the navy were in the hands of the army.” The existence of this correspondence was brought to light subsequent to the writing of the letters already cited. The hope entertained, at that time, was that this correspondence would lead to unearthing some sketches or data that would throw more light on the details of design of the CoNn- STITUTION’s battery. It was always possible too, that information about the “proving tests’ MARINE REVIEW “the actual weight of the guns in- stalled is materially less than would appear from a_ surface inspection.” From the information at hand it then appeared that the battery of this vessel, during the War of 1812, was as follows: 30—24 pounders (long) on the gun deck. 16—82 pounder carronades on the quarter deck. 8—82 pounder carronades on the forecastle. This part of the history of OLD IRONSIDES’ cannons will be closed by adding that afterward the bureau of construction and repair received an appreciative acknowledgment from Duluth, and with it were several ref- erences. All of the books mentioned therein, and many more too, are in the library of the navy department. SPAR DECK: OF THE U: S. S: CONSTITUTION LOOKING FORWARD—EIGHT 32 POUNDERS ARE CARRIED ON THE FORECASTLE AS SHOWN. NOTE THE HEAVY STANDING RIGGING AND SHROUDS WHICH STAY THE FOREMAST to which these guns were subjected also would become known. This hope was realized, though not as fully as wished, through the receipt by the navy department, of a letter from the former correspondent of the Scien- tific American. This. letter repeated much that was contained in the form- er one. The bureau’s reply said in substance, there is “no evidence of the ‘excessive weight of the present bat- tery doing injury to the vessel’” and “Marshall’s Practical Marine Gun- nery” published in 1822, a copy of which was recently found in that library, will help much to settle many details as to the practice of gunnery in 1800. An_ excellent illustration of a “carronade” is shown in The Frigate Constitution. This thor- oughly enjoyable book, written. by Ira N. Hollis, is an accurate history of OLp IRoNsiIpEs from 1794 to about 1900. Want to Sell U. S. Lines TELLER, chairman of the ship sales committee of the United States shipping board, on Sept. 17 gave out the following statement: On Sept. 20, and again on Sept. 27, C OMMISSIONER PHILIP 5S. an advertisement will be published throughout the country inviting offers for the purchase or charter of the S. S. LEVIATHAN, S. S. GrorGE WAsH- INGTON, 8. S. Repusuic, S. S. Prest- DENT HARDING and S. S. PRESIDENT October, 1926 ROOSEVELT, operated by the board on the United States lines, together with the S. S. AMERICAN TRADER, S. S. AMERICAN BANKER, S. S. AMERICAN MERCHANT, S. S. AMERICAN FARMER and S. S. AMERICAN SHIPPER, operated for the board on American Merchant lines. : The board hopes and expects to re- ceive, as a result of this advertise- ment, a definite indication of the im- mediate prospect of transferring to responsible private American owner- ship the services which it is operating, under the requirements of the mer- chant marine act, 1920. The United States lines, which has just observed its fifth anniversary, has become es- tablished as a permanent factor in the important North Atlantic Euro- pean trade, and the board is inviting offers at this time to determine if the continued maintenance of the service can be insured by its transfer to private American control, under con- ditions guaranteeing equal or superior service as furnished under shipping board operation, including provision for expansion and replacement as may become necessary. In the publication of advertisements in the past, it has been the practice of agents for competing foreign lines to refer to the probability of dis- continuance of shipping board ser- vices if not sold, or the uncertainty of their maintenance if disposed of, and these efforts have been especially directed toward the United States lines. In the present advertisement inviting offers for the United States lines, it is expected that a. repetition of such efforts on the part of com- peting lines will be experienced. These attempts to damage American flag services are especially made at points distant from the shipping centers, where travelers and shippers are likely to be most impressed. : Anticipating any such misstatements or false suggestions, the board an- nounces that the permanence of the United States lines will not be af- fected in the slightest degree by the invitation for bids. The confidence which has been manifested in the re- liability and regularity of this ser- vice, as evidenced by the booking of a large volume of business over long periods ahead, will be fully justi- fied. Passages or shipments already arranged, or which may be arranged, will be faithfully carried out, either by the board or by the successful bidder if an award is made. Any change in the service will be solely by way of improvement; if possible, through private operation and if not possible, through operation by the board.