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Show ing the "Constitution" as the presidential flagship at anchor oil Fire Island as the fleet proceeded proceed-ed to New York, he seriously contemplated choos- President Follows Precedent By Visiting "Constitution" While making a defense inspec- tion of the Boston Navy Yard President Roosevelt took time tc go abroad the frigate "Constitution," "Constitu-tion," which is berthed at thai yard. In so doing he was following follow-ing in the footsteps of his predecessors pre-decessors down through the years since President George Washington Washing-ton urged the first Congress tc provide funds to build and arm her. The second president of the United States journeyed on horseback horse-back and in carriage from Washington Wash-ington to the self-same Boston to honor the ship's launching by his presence. John Adams had to be content with going on board while the ship was still on the ways, where she stuck at the first try at launching. President Hoover stood at attention, at-tention, silk hat at salute, while his barge passed close aboard the "Constitution" at anchor in the New York river in 1931. A month later President Hoover paid a special spe-cial visit of homage to the frigate fri-gate at anchor in the basin off the Washington navy yard. On account ac-count of this particular occasion, a special saluting battery was mounted, and a 21-gun salute was fired as the President stepped over the gangway while the "Constitution's" "Constitu-tion's" crew manned the rail. Calvin Coolidge is known to have visited the "Constitution" more than once. On one occasion during his governorship of Massachusetts, Massa-chusetts, he visited the old ship and while dwelling on her ancient glories proceeded to "forget" a half a dozen official appointments. There can be little doubt that every President of the United States has been drawn to visit the "Constitution" as was President Roosevelt. When he first reviewed the United States fleet In 1934, |
