Eleanor Finch
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat, with a rich history dating back to its launch in 1797. The ship played a crucial role in shaping America's naval prowess and power projection capabilities, serving as a symbol of national pride and embodying the principles of sovereignty and sea control. The USS Constitution's legacy is deeply intertwined with the early years of the United States as a sovereign nation, and its impact continues to resonate in the present day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 1797 |
| Classification | Three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate |
| Builder | Edmund Hartt's Shipyard |
| Location | North End of Boston, Massachusetts |
| Cost | $302,000 |
| Length | 204 ft (62 m) |
| Width | 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m) |
| Thickness | 21 inches (530 mm) |
| Materials | Pine, oak, and southern live oak |
| Role | Protection of American merchant shipping, defeating Barbary pirates, and preventing the slave trade |
| Speed | 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) |
| Restoration | Undergone a 26-month restoration from May 2015 to July 2017 |
| Laws | Public Law 83-523 (1954), Public Law 93-431 (1974), and Public Law 111-84 (2009) |
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What You'll Learn
- The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat
- The USS Constitution was built to protect American merchant shipping and fight pirates
- The USS Constitution fought in the First Barbary War
- The USS Constitution was recommissioned in 1940
- The USS Constitution is the only surviving ship of the US Navy's original six frigates
The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat, with its keel laid down in 1794 and the ship launched in 1797. The ship was one of six original frigates authorised for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The name "Constitution" was among ten names submitted to President George Washington, and the ship was designed to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period.
The USS Constitution's first duties included providing protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. The ship is most noted for its actions during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom, capturing numerous British merchant ships and five warships, including HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane, and Levant. Its capture of Guerriere earned it the nickname "Old Ironsides", and the ship became a symbol of public adoration.
Following the War of 1812, the USS Constitution continued its service as a flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons and even circled the world in the 1840s. During the American Civil War, the ship served as a training vessel for the United States Naval Academy. In 1878, it carried American artwork and industrial displays to the Paris Exposition. The USS Constitution was retired from active service in 1881 and designated a museum ship in 1907. However, it continued to play a role in naval history, completing a three-year, 90-port tour of the nation in 1934.
Today, the USS Constitution's mission is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through educational outreach, historical demonstration, and participation in public events. The ship is still a fully commissioned Navy ship with a crew of active-duty officers and sailors who participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events. The USS Constitution is a testament to the principles of sovereignty and sea control, embodying the successes and legacies of the United States Navy.
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The USS Constitution was built to protect American merchant shipping and fight pirates
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. The USS Constitution was launched in 1797 and was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The ship was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts.
The USS Constitution was built to serve several important purposes, including protecting American merchant shipping and fighting pirates. At the end of the American Revolution in 1783, the new United States sent its merchant fleet to trade with Europe and the Far East. However, without a Continental Navy, American merchant vessels became vulnerable to attack and capture by the British, French, and Barbary Corsairs of North Africa. Between 1785 and 1793, Barbary pirates, notably from Algiers, seized American merchant vessels in the Mediterranean Sea, holding their crews and stores for ransom.
In response to these threats, the U.S. Congress authorized a new navy in 1794 "in defense of commerce." The Federal Government built six frigates, including the USS Constitution, which was designed to be larger, stronger, faster, and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period. The USS Constitution's first duties included providing protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and combating Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War.
The USS Constitution successfully carried out its mission to protect American merchant shipping. During the Quasi-War with France, which lasted from 1797 to 1801, the USS Constitution and other U.S. Navy ships worked to safeguard American merchants and hunt down French privateers. After the conflict with France ended, the USS Constitution sailed to the Mediterranean Sea in 1803 to protect American merchants from the Barbary States of North Africa, who were demanding tribute payments and seizing ships that did not comply. The USS Constitution played a key role in the First Barbary War, including the bombardment of Tripoli in 1804, which ultimately led to a peace agreement with the Barbary powers.
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The USS Constitution fought in the First Barbary War
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It was launched in 1797 and was the third of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The USS Constitution played a significant role in the First Barbary War, which lasted from 1803 to 1805.
Before the First Barbary War, the United States faced challenges in the Mediterranean Sea due to Barbary pirates, mainly from Algiers. Starting in 1785, these pirates began seizing American merchant vessels, demanding ransom for the captured ships and their crews. In 1793 alone, 11 American ships fell victim to these attacks. As a result, the United States paid tribute to the Barbary States during the Quasi-War to ensure the safety of American merchant ships.
The USS Constitution's first duties included providing protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and combating Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. In September 1803, Commodore Edward Preble arrived in Tripoli aboard the USS Constitution and took an aggressive stance against the conflict. This marked a turning point in the war.
The First Barbary War was a pivotal moment in America's early foreign policy decisions. It represented America's first foray into diplomatic negotiations as a new sovereign nation. The war highlighted the need for centralized control of commerce and treaty-making powers, which led to the replacement of the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution of the United States in the 1780s. The circumstances in the Mediterranean were central to the debates that shaped the new Constitution, influencing the federal government's authority over commerce and the establishment of a naval force.
The USS Constitution's involvement in the First Barbary War demonstrated its role in protecting American interests and shaping the country's foreign policy during its early years as an independent nation.
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The USS Constitution was recommissioned in 1940
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. The USS Constitution was first launched in 1797 and played an important role in protecting American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and in defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War.
In 1940, the USS Constitution was recommissioned at the request of President Franklin Roosevelt. This marked a significant turning point in the ship's history and ensured its continued service and preservation. The recommissioning of the USS Constitution highlights its enduring significance and the desire to maintain it as a symbol of American naval heritage.
At the time of its recommissioning in 1940, the USS Constitution had already undergone several repairs and refittings to maintain its seaworthiness. Despite its age, the ship remained a formidable presence on the water. The recommissioning process involved ensuring the ship met the standards for active service, including any necessary repairs or upgrades.
Following its recommissioning, the USS Constitution took on a new set of duties and responsibilities. In early 1941, it was assigned the hull classification symbol IX-21 and served as a brig for officers awaiting court-martial. The ship's presence and functionality continued to be recognised and celebrated even during modern times.
The United States Postal Service issued a stamp commemorating the USS Constitution in 1947, honouring its legacy and service to the nation. Additionally, an Act of Congress in 1954 designated the Secretary of the Navy as responsible for the ship's upkeep, further cementing its importance. Today, the USS Constitution remains a symbol of American naval power and history, open to the public as a testament to its enduring legacy.
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The USS Constitution is the only surviving ship of the US Navy's original six frigates
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the only surviving ship of the US Navy's original six frigates, which were authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The USS Constitution was the third ship to be constructed, with its keel laid down on November 1, 1794, and it was launched on October 21, 1797.
The design of the USS Constitution and its sister ships was unusual for the time, with Joshua Humphreys creating a deep, long-keeled, and narrow-beamed frigate that could mount very heavy guns. The ship was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, and its construction utilized pine and oak, including southern live oak, as primary materials. The USS Constitution's hull was built with a thickness of 21 inches and a length of 175 feet between perpendiculars, with a total length of 204 feet and a width of 43 feet.
The USS Constitution's first duties included providing protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and combating Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. It successfully carried out its missions, with records showing that despite its age, it could sail under wind power and arrive at destinations ahead of modern vessels.
Over the years, the USS Constitution has undergone repairs and restorations to preserve its condition. In 1940, it was recommissioned at the request of President Franklin Roosevelt, and in 1954, an Act of Congress made the Secretary of the Navy responsible for its upkeep. The ship is currently berthed at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Massachusetts and is open to visitors year-round, providing tours and educational programs to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.
The USS Constitution was one of the six original frigates of the United States Navy. Its mission was to keep the sea lanes open for commerce, fight pirates, land Marines in trouble spots, and prevent the slave trade.
The USS Constitution is the only surviving frigate of the United States Navy's original six frigates. It is also one of the first ships authorized by the 'Act to provide a Naval Armament', signed by President George Washington in 1794, which created the new United States Navy. The ship was celebrated for its victories in the War of 1812 and played a strategic role in preventing a broader Mediterranean conflict during Greece's struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire.
The USS Constitution has been restored multiple times and was recommissioned in 1940 at the request of President Franklin Roosevelt. It is currently a museum ship and is open to the public at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston National Historical Park.
