Customer Reviews

A Most Fortunate Ship: A Narrative History of Old Ironsides

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tyrone Martin writes an excellent account of arguably America's most revered warship, USS Constitution. A former commander of "Old Ironsides" (still a commissioned vessel in the U.S. Navy), Martin is personally well versed in the ship's history, writing a very readable, well documented history. Not only does the narrative cover the ship itself -- from design, construction and launching in the mid-1790s to its most recent preservation in the 1990s -- but the people, both officers and enlisted who served her. The personality and idiosyncracies of such officers as Talbot, Hull, Bainbridge, Elliot is especially insightful. Martin also does an excellent job of suggesting both the fragile nature yet durability of large sailing vessels. Constitution weathered numerous stroms, groundings and even a hurricane, not to mention enemy fire. But thanks to a skillful, resourceful crew, and good fortune, was able to jury-rig, repair, and replace key components at sea thereby continuing military and diplomatic service well into the late 19th Century.

Only three concerns prevent me from rendering this book Five Stars. First, early in the book Martin let's the ship's log dominate his prose, resulting in a Point A - to Point B - to Point C monotony. The author shakes this pattern later in the book, letting his own personal style and experience lend a smoother flow and insight to his writing. This is especially apparent in the final few chapters discussing the "battle" to preserve "the big frigate" for posterity. Second, Martin is intimately familiar with nautical terminology, using the nomenclature throughout the book. Fortunately, the book includes a glossary of terms BUT fails, in many instances, to define what Martin fails to adequately describe in the text. This leaves the less nautically informed to wonder, "Where exactly on the ship is that?" Similarly, Martin would have done well to provide a diagram of the frigate labling key equipment, rigging, jibs, yards, etc. for quick reference and orientation (esp. for we flatlanders). Finally, there is the matter of the maps. Diagrams of the Constitution's major engagements (e.g., Guerriere, Java, Cyane, Levant), when combined with the text, are very instructive in visualizing the action. However, the author would have done well to plot Constitution's voyages in more detail as an aid to the less geographically literate. He does, however, an excellent job in the text of providing present-day place names to 19th Century references. Still, keeping track of the ship's progress is somewhat tedius.

In all, I recommend "A Most Fortunate Ship" to those interested in 19th Century sailing ships and the USS Constitution in particular -- its history and preservation. Martin's narrative makes clear why "Old Ironsides" is a national treasure.

To be honest I expected this book to be a rather slow and plodding presentation of America's most loved warship. Despite my fears I bought it anyway since I had just taken the guided tour of USS Constitution and was therefore acutely aware of how little I knew of her history. When I began reading I was quite literally shocked that I could not but it down! Tyrone Martin has spiced this account expertly with timely and relevant anecdotal nuggets from her captains and crew that really frame the mood and mindset of those early patriots that served aboard her. Even the title is especially fitting in describing the career of this Famous Frigate, and you find your self understanding the history and politics of the period of each chapter and campaign. Find out the innovative design first used in the construction of her and her sister's President, and United States, as well as the secret weapon of Live Oak that made her so hard to defeat and last so long. My favorite chapter is the one were he explains the seemingly unbearable living conditions aboard this Man-o-war and the adventure in cuisine the grew endured. Weavel filled hard tack biscuits, worm infested cheese, and over salted meat. Then the punishment section and the "cat on nine tails" will help you understand why so many deserted. Plus all her battles are explained in very good detail. The only thing that could have made this book better is if I had got it through Amazon.com, would have saved nearly $20.00 but then again even my price was worth it.

Captain Martin has left no stone unturned in his research and he has presented the story of the history of the U.S.S. Constitution, the oldest continuously commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy or any other, in a manner that is riveting, informative and captivating. This is not a dry historical moniton narrative.

Anyone interested in naval history should read this book, particularly those who would like to learn of how the United States navy got its start and how the Constitution figured into it.

I grew up in Massachusetts, and I can remember those field trips to Boston to see all the history, and the Constitution. I wish I could have appreciated it then as I do now. Oh well, at least I like it now.

This is a great book. What a fun read that is hard to put down. It's not dry history with lots of dates, numbers, and charts. There is a real story here, about a ship, the men who served her, and the history behind her.

There are a few other books on the market about the Constitution, some sold at the museum in Charlestown, but this is the one to read. Front to back, it's very entertaining. The author sites journals, letters, stories, legends, and even the ship's log to gather information to form the story of a ship that never lost an engagement, although almost the victim apathy. The decks are once again alive with activity and danger. The wind fills the sails, and the ocean sprays into the air.

If you like the sea and sailing, read this book. If you like ships and sailing, read this book. But if you like well told history, then definitely read this book.

The U.S.S. Constitution is the oldest ship still in service in the U.S. Navy. This book is a well-written with excerpts of the ship's logs and excellent illustrations. I am amazed at how much history of the United States I did not learn in high school! If you enjoyed watching Horatio Hornblower on A&E, you'll enjoy this book for sure.

In this captivating history, Tyrone G. Martin has thoughtfully provided background information to assist those of us who have never rigged or sailed a wooden frigate. There is a glossary of contemporary nautical terms. Chapter Four steps out of the story in order to explain the different ranks and stations, and the routine of life aboard. I would like to have seen both of these sections expanded a bit. When visiting the Constitution some years ago, it surprised me to learn that the tour guides were active sailors in the United States Navy. They were quite knowledgeable - I now know how to make grog - and I wanted to hear every detail. I would say the same for Chapter Four. Tell us more.

While reading, I could swear I felt the roll of the deck under my chair. Martin kept me somewhat detached from the rest of the world, just as the crew was. It must have been terribly frustrating, never having current information, not knowing if they were at war or at peace. Unfortunately, I was sometimes left in that same condition. The ship is, of course, central to the story, but these events were put into motion by relations in the rest of the world. Sometimes that context is left out.

Captain Isaac Hull sank the Guerriere only a few days after his uncle, General William Hull, had surrendered Detroit. The General's defeat is mentioned in passing, and he is identified only as "Hull", with no reference to the family connection. This confusion is compounded by a typo in the index entry. Political interests of wars are all but ignored. Presidents of the United States are mentioned only if they visit the Constitution (in person or in the form of a wooden figurehead).

The author himself was once Captain of the Constitution. Although he resists any urge to make it an autobiography, it occasionally becomes quite clear that the subject is personal. He has little regard for certain historical practices such as flogging and dueling. I suspect that, when describing the singularly deplorable behavior of the crew during a funeral procession, Martin must have flung his typewriter across the room. Regardless of time passage, it is still his navy and his ship.

Diagrams are provided to help describe the battles, and they are immensely helpful. Although there were also maps, they were too few. On the whole, I like the tone. I really must see that ship again.

In a word, amazing. I moved to Boston 5 years ago to attend grad school at MIT and became involved in sailing at that time. Since then, I've learned much about nautical history and enjoy spending time by the Charlestown Navy Yard and on the Consitituion. I must say this is a riveting book, with detailed accounts of the ship's naval battles, captains with personalities, voyages around the world, and a fight against time and decay. It's incredible to realize the stories are all real accounts, because they are so adventurous, it could be a fiction novel. If you want to learn more about the Consitution or get a good snapshot of the early days of the US Navy, this is a great book for you.

Cmdr Ty Martin gives an interesting viewpoint on the history of USS Constitution. Giving brief histories and opinions of the ship's more famous captains and insight to what it was like to be a crew member.
He also goes into construction and repairs through the years as well as details of her major/ most famous battles.
It's a good book for the naval history buff but of little use for the modeler. I bought it as reference for a model and was disappointed in that regard but enjoyed the history lesson immensely.

Last summer I went to Boston to visit the historical sites and the Constitution (ship not paper). Visiting the Constitution piked my interest in that fine ship, so I ended up picking up this book. The author took alot of time doing research on the ship through the ages and I'm glad he did because now we have this little gem. This book gives a little insight to the tenuous hold the United States had at the beginning and it also gives some insight into why the United States needs a military. It also shows the value of portraying historic treasures (like the Constitution) because they help people remember their past and thus get a better direction on their future.