Simone Lawson
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, and its hull was constructed from pine and oak. The USS Constitution has undergone several repairs and restorations over the years, including the installation of replica guns and cannons. The ship's armaments have included muskets, cutlasses, pikes, pistols, and rifles, in addition to its primary weapons of cannons and long guns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 1797 |
| Classification | Three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate |
| Length | 204 ft (62 m) |
| Width | 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m) |
| Armament | 54 guns (originally rated for 44 guns) |
| Gun types | 24-pound long guns, 32-pound carronades, 18-pound "chase" gun |
| Small arms | Muskets, rifles, pistols, cutlasses, pikes |
| Current status | Oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat |
| Recent events | USS Constitution led the parade of tall ships up Boston Harbor for Operation Sail in July 1975 |
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What You'll Learn
- USS Constitution's guns are replicas, not originals
- USS Constitution's replica guns are refurbished periodically
- USS Constitution's guns are a mix of British and American
- USS Constitution's armaments include small arms and edged weapons
- USS Constitution's guns are maintained and managed by the USS Constitution Museum
USS Constitution's guns are replicas, not originals
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest naval warship still afloat. The ship was launched in 1797 and is one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. Joshua Humphreys designed the frigates to serve as the young Navy's capital ships, so the Constitution and its sister ships were larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period.
The USS Constitution typically carried around 54 guns, including 24-pound carronades on the spar deck and 32-pound long guns on the gun deck. However, when the ship returned to Boston in 1897 for its 100th birthday, it no longer carried any guns. During its first 20th-century restoration in 1906-1907, 55 replica guns were made for the ship. These guns were later removed during the 1927-1931 restoration, and new guns were cast, with the exception of two 1812-era replica carronades on the after quarter deck.
The guns installed during the 1927-1931 restoration were based on inaccurate research, which led to the belief that the Constitution was outfitted with British guns in 1812. Eighteen of the thirty replica 24-pounders were marked with a broad arrow and cipher, indicating they were property of the British Crown. The other twelve replica guns were cast from an American gun. These guns were removed and refurbished during the 2015-2017 restoration, along with the carronades.
Today, the USS Constitution's guns are replicas, not originals. The ship continues to fire ceremonial salutes and participate in public events, educational programs, and special events, providing free tours to visitors year-round.
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USS Constitution's replica guns are refurbished periodically
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 frigate was designed by Joshua Humphreys to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period.
The USS Constitution was originally rated as a 44-gun frigate but typically carried around 54 guns. During the War of 1812, it mounted twenty-four 32-pound carronades on the spar deck, a long 18-pound "chase" gun forward, and thirty 24-pound long guns on the gun deck. The guns on the USS Constitution have been replicas since the 1927-1931 restoration. The replica guns were first installed in 1930, near the end of the 1927-1931 restoration. Most of the guns were cast in 1930, but two carronades on the spar deck were cast in 1983.
The USS Constitution's replica guns have been removed and refurbished during all subsequent 20th and 21st-century restorations. The guns were removed and refurbished during the 2015-2017 restoration, and they will be again during the upcoming restoration. The guns are removed from the ship using cranes and sent to a facility where they are stripped of their paint and recoated with a new protective coating. This process ensures that the guns are properly maintained and preserved for future generations.
The USS Constitution has undergone several periods of repair and rebuilding throughout its long career, including its first true restoration in 1906. The ship's guns have played a significant role in its history, with the crew firing a 21-gun salute during special events and ceremonies. The guns have also been used for defensive purposes, such as during the War of 1812, and they continue to be an important part of the ship's legacy today.
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USS Constitution's guns are a mix of British and American
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. It was designed by Joshua Humphreys to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period.
The USS Constitution was originally rated as a 44-gun frigate but typically carried around 54 guns. During the War of 1812, it mounted twenty-four 32-pound carronades on the spar deck, a long 18-pound "chase" gun forward, and thirty 24-pound long guns on the gun deck. The ship's guns were a mix of British and American weaponry.
In 1930, photographer Leslie Jones captured a Navy Yard worker guiding a "British" long gun as it was lowered toward the main hatch by a crane. The gun was marked with a "'broad arrow,' signifying that it was originally "Property of the (British) Crown," and the "royal cipher" GR, referring to King George II, who reigned from 1727 to 1760. However, twelve of the replica 24-pounders were cast from American guns, as evidenced by the upside-down "royal cypher" in a 1930 photo by Leslie Jones.
Today, the Constitution's guns are replicas, not originals. The ship returned to Boston in 1897 for her 100th birthday without any guns, as she had been turned into barracks and a "receiving ship" for sailors in 1883. The first 20th-century restoration in 1906-1907 saw fifty-five replica guns made for the ship. All of the present guns were cast for the 1927-1931 restoration, except for two 1812-era replica carronades on the after quarter deck, cast in 1981. These carronades are closer to the Constitution's 1812 spar deck armament.
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USS Constitution's armaments include small arms and edged weapons
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 authorised for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The frigate was designed by Joshua Humphreys to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period.
The USS Constitution was originally rated as a 44-gun frigate but typically carried around 54 guns. During the War of 1812, it mounted twenty-four 32-pound carronades on the spar deck, a long 18-pound "chase" gun forward, and thirty 24-pound long guns on the gun deck. The guns and cannons on board were designed to be completely portable and were often exchanged between ships depending on the situation. As such, the armaments on board the USS Constitution changed frequently, and records of these changes were rarely kept.
The USS Constitution's armaments also included small arms and edged weapons, which played a vital role in engaging with an enemy vessel's personnel at close quarters. Marines and specially trained seamen used muskets and rifles to pepper the opponent's deck with well-aimed fire. As the hulls of the vessels crashed together, the men on board would rush to grab pistols, cutlasses, and pikes.
Today, the USS Constitution's guns are replicas, not originals. The ship's replica long guns and their carriages were refurbished during the 2015-2017 restoration, and the carronades and long guns were recoated with a new protective coating.
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USS Constitution's guns are maintained and managed by the USS Constitution Museum
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. It was launched in 1797 and is one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The ship was designed to be heavily armed, and typically carried around 54 guns.
The USS Constitution Museum, located in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts, tells the story of the ship and its crew through its collections and interactive exhibits. The museum is a private, non-profit organization that is managed separately from the naval ship. It is home to the Samuel Eliot Morison Memorial Library and includes a comprehensive archive of records related to the ship's history.
The museum plays a crucial role in maintaining and managing the USS Constitution's guns. During the 2015-2017 restoration, the museum oversaw the refurbishment of the ship's replica long guns and carronades. These guns were sent to a United States Coast Guard facility in Maryland to be stripped of their paint and recoated with a new protective layer. The museum also houses a collection of arms and armament, including small arms, edged weapons, muskets, rifles, pistols, and cutlasses, which were used by the crew of the USS Constitution during its active service.
The museum's efforts to preserve the ship's guns extend beyond restoration. The USS Constitution Museum also leads the way in researching and documenting the history of the ship's armament. Through its archives and exhibits, the museum provides valuable insights into the types of guns used, their origins, and their significance in the ship's victories. For example, the museum has identified that some of the replica 24-pounder long guns on the ship were marked with a British "royal cypher," mistakenly leading the Navy to believe they were outfitted with British guns in 1812.
In addition to its work on the guns, the USS Constitution Museum is actively involved in the overall preservation and maintenance of the ship. The museum has dedicated land for the supply of white oak, which is crucial for repair work. It also supports the ship's annual ""turnaround cruise" in Boston Harbor, where the ship performs a gun drill, among other demonstrations. The museum's commitment to the ship's upkeep ensures that the USS Constitution remains a testament to its storied history and a symbol of American naval power.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the USS Constitution has firearms. It was originally rated as a 44-gun frigate but typically carried around 54 guns. The ship's guns are replicas, not originals.
The USS Constitution has carronades and long guns. During the War of 1812, it mounted twenty-four 32-pound carronades on the spar deck, a long 18-pound "chase" gun forward, and thirty 24-pound long guns on the gun deck.
Yes, in addition to the firearms, the USS Constitution also had small arms and edged weapons. This included muskets, rifles, cutlasses, pikes, and pistols.
