Eisboch wrote:
"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
ups.com...
Going to visit Old Ironsides (she's moored in Boston, right?)



One of the coolest things on Old Ironsides is the bilge pump system that was
operated by two sailors at the end of long handles. When going into battle
they purposely flooded the gun deck with water from the bilge to ensure the
gun powder in the cannons didn't inadvertantly catch the ship on fire.

They tell the same story at the USS(?) Constellation in Baltimore.

And, on the USS Constellation they fire a cannon. A salute cannon but, a
cannon none the less.