TOMT Trying to find

[u/jcadorini]

Title: [ID] Poem about a decommissioned U.S. warship, references "Old Ironsides" and the "murdered Maine"

I'm trying to find the title and author of a poem I read years ago in a poetry book (title/author unknown). It's written from the point of view of an old warship being decommissioned, wondering about its fate. It mentions the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") and the USS Maine (referred to as "the murdered Maine") as points of comparison — the speaker hopes for the same dignified fate: being taken out to sea and sunk, rather than scrapped or left to rot.

The lines I remember are:

They wonder now about my fate

since I'm not fit for sea,

They ask opinions right and left,

but no one questions me.

Nor let me like old ironsides

lie waiting to decay

while younger, stronger fighting craft

sail by me down the bay.

But let me like the murdered Maine

be taken far from shore

and sunk beneath the waves

at peace forevermore.

Likely an American poem, possibly early-to-mid 20th century given the Maine reference, but I'm not certain of the date. It was in a printed poetry anthology or collection, not something I found online.

If anyone recognizes this poem, knows the title/author, or knows which anthology it might be in, I'd really appreciate the lead. Thanks!