Marblehead to honor USS Constitution

MARBLEHEAD – A group of local residents will get their wish: The Fort Sewall Committee has approved a sign memorializing the Marblehead visits of the USS Constitution.Thomas McNulty, Fred Goddard and David Cashman sought permission from the selectmen and the committee for a plaque, which will read as follows:”Huzzah! for “Old Ironsides”, Marblehead citizens have embraced USS CONSTITUTION on three historic visits: 3 April 1814 when beneath the guns of Fort Sewall she found refuge from an overwhelming British force, 29-31 July 1931 when under tow on the nationwide pennies campaign tour to assure her preservation, 20-21 July 1997 when during her Bicentennial she sailed from Boston and moored here to the cheers of thousands, A safe and welcoming harbor.”The stalwart local historians – Cashman is a former commander of the USS Constitution – had their wording approved by the committee in December and by selectmen last week.The committee asked that the sign be made of bronze, like the other four signs recently installed at Ft. Sewall, and printed in the same font.The committee also corrected the punctuation, adding an exclamation mark after the word “Huzzah.” That’s something Marbleheaders may agree with.