Jonah Patel
The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. Constructed in Boston in 1797, it was one of the United States Navy's first men-of-war. Its exploits during the War of 1812 made it the stuff of legend, and it was during this conflict that the ship earned its nickname, Old Ironsides. On August 19, 1812, the Constitution defeated the British frigate Guerriere in a furious engagement off the coast of Nova Scotia. Witnesses claimed that the British shots merely bounced off the Constitution's sides, as if the ship were made of iron rather than wood. One British sailor supposedly yelled out, Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!.
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What You'll Learn
- The USS Constitution's hull was made of oak, not iron
- A British sailor exclaimed: Huzza! Her sides are made of iron
- The ship's victory against HMS Guerriere was a morale boost for the US
- The USS Constitution was the first of six frigates commissioned for the US Navy
- The ship is now a floating museum of naval history in Boston Harbour
The USS Constitution's hull was made of oak, not iron
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. It was constructed in Boston in 1797 and was one of the United States Navy's first men-of-war. The ship was first launched in 1797 as the first of six frigates commissioned for the U.S. Navy. Unlike other contemporary frigates, the Constitution and its sister ships were built tougher, larger, and more heavily armed.
The Constitution earned its nickname, "Old Ironsides", during a battle against the HMS Guerriere in August 1812. The USS Constitution defeated the HMS Guerriere, and a sailor on the Guerriere observed that 18-pound British cannonballs were bouncing off the hull of the Constitution. He exclaimed, "Huzza, her sides are made of iron!". However, the hull of the Constitution was not made of iron, but rather of oak. Specifically, the hull was made of white oak and live oak sheathed in copper forged by Paul Revere.
The Constitution's hull was thicker and more durable than those of conventional warships. Humphreys, the ship's architect, knew that the Constitution would take a lot of pounding in battle. Therefore, he placed the ribs on the sides of the ship only four inches apart, as opposed to the typical distance of eight to ten inches. This unique construction made the Constitution exceptionally strong, fast, and powerful.
The victory over the Guerriere was a significant moment in naval history, as it marked the rise of American naval power and a shift in global military power. The Constitution's ability to withstand cannonballs earned it the nickname "Old Ironsides" and cemented its place as an important historical vessel. Despite some sources suggesting that the Constitution was impenetrable, there is evidence that some British cannonballs did penetrate its hull during battles. Nonetheless, the ship's sturdy construction and successful combat record contributed to its enduring legacy as "Old Ironsides".
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A British sailor exclaimed: Huzza! Her sides are made of iron
The USS Constitution is a triple-masted wooden heavy frigate and the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. It was constructed in Boston and first launched in 1797 as the first of six frigates commissioned for the U.S. Navy. The USS Constitution participated in numerous conflicts, including the War of 1812, where it earned the nickname "Old Ironsides" during a battle against the HMS Guerriere.
On August 19, 1812, the Constitution encountered the British warship Guerriere about 400-600 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia. After some maneuvering, the two ships bombarded each other for 15 to 20 minutes in close and violent action. The Constitution emerged with only minimal damage, while the Guerriere was de-masted and rendered a wreck.
The unexpected victory of the Constitution against a British frigate helped unite America behind the war effort and made its commander, Captain Isaac Hull, a national hero. The victory also served as an important statement of American naval power and a boost to Yankee morale.
During the battle, a British sailor witnessed 18-pound iron cannonballs launched by the Guerriere bouncing off the Constitution's hull. Supposedly, the sailor exclaimed, "Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!" This exclamation led to the Constitution being christened "Old Ironsides."
While the nickname celebrated the ship's resilience, it was later acknowledged that the Constitution was not entirely impenetrable to enemy cannonballs. Period sources mention enemy shots piercing the Constitution's hull, contrary to the popular belief that it was invincible. Nevertheless, the success of the USS Constitution against the supposedly invincible Royal Navy contributed to its enduring legacy and place in American naval history.
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The ship's victory against HMS Guerriere was a morale boost for the US
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. It was constructed in Boston in 1797 and was one of the United States Navy's first men-of-war. The ship's victory against HMS Guerriere during the War of 1812 was a significant moment in naval history and a boost to American morale.
The USS Constitution had an unblemished combat record since its launch, and its encounter with HMS Guerriere on August 19, 1812, off the coast of Nova Scotia, further solidified its reputation. The British warship Guerriere had been notorious for stopping American merchant vessels at sea and impressing their sailors, which contributed to the declaration of war against Great Britain in June 1812. Despite being outgunned and outmanned, the commander of Guerriere, Captain James Dacres, was eager for battle.
The Constitution, commanded by Captain Isaac Hull, engaged in a close and violent battle with Guerriere, with both vessels bombarding each other for 15 to 20 minutes. The Constitution's thicker hull, made of triple-layered white oak and live oak sheathed in copper, proved to be a decisive factor. To the amazement of the British crew, their 18-pound iron cannonballs bounced off the Constitution's hull, leading one sailor to exclaim, "Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!".
The Constitution emerged from the battle with only minimal damage, while the Guerriere was severely damaged and unable to manoeuvre. This unexpected victory against a British frigate had a profound impact on the young American republic. It boosted the morale of the nation and united Americans behind the war effort. The Constitution became a symbol of American naval power and a source of national pride.
The victory against HMS Guerriere contributed to the reputation of the USS Constitution as a formidable warship. The ship went on to defeat or capture seven more British ships during the War of 1812, further cementing its place in naval history and in the hearts of Americans. The nickname "Old Ironsides" endures as a testament to the ship's resilience and its significant role in shaping the early naval history of the United States.
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The USS Constitution was the first of six frigates commissioned for the US Navy
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and the third constructed. The United States Congress authorized the original six frigates of the United States Navy with the Naval Act of 1794 on March 27, 1794, at a total cost of $688,888.82 (equivalent to $18.1 million in 2023).
The USS Constitution was designed by Joshua Humphreys and launched on October 21, 1797, in Boston, Massachusetts. It was one of the United States Navy's first men-of-war. The ship's keel was laid down on November 1, 1794, at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson, master shipwright Colonel George Claghorn, and Foreman Prince Athearn of the Martha's Vineyard Athearns. Constitution and its sister ships were designed to be larger, more heavily armed, and built than standard frigates of the period.
The USS Constitution began its service as the oldest commissioned warship in the U.S. Navy by participating in the Quasi-War with France from 1798 to 1800 and in the First Barbary War from 1801 to 1805. During the War of 1812, it defeated HMS Guerriere on August 19, 1812, earning the nickname "Old Ironsides." The 18-pound iron cannonballs launched by Guerriere bounced off the Constitution's hull, made of white oak and live oak sheathed in copper. A British sailor exclaimed, "Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!" The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship in the world still afloat.
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The ship is now a floating museum of naval history in Boston Harbour
The USS Constitution earned its nickname "Old Ironsides" during the War of 1812. On August 19, 1812, the USS Constitution faced off against the British frigate HMS Guerriere. Despite being outgunned and outmanned, the USS Constitution emerged victorious, with only slight damage.
During the battle, the British crew of the HMS Guerriere noticed that their 18-pound iron cannonballs were unable to penetrate the hull of the USS Constitution, with some even bouncing off. This led one British sailor to exclaim, "Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!". Thus, the USS Constitution earned the nickname "Old Ironsides".
Today, the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat, having been constructed in Boston in 1797. It is now a floating museum of naval history in Boston Harbour, offering a tangible link to the early years of the US Navy and the United States as a whole. The ship remains in commission as a US Navy warship and is open for tours, attracting visitors interested in naval history and seeking a connection to the nation's past.
The USS Constitution's story is one of legendary exploits, including its crucial role during the War of 1812, when it became a symbol of American naval power and a boost to national morale. Its ability to withstand enemy fire, as demonstrated in the battle against HMS Guerriere, cemented its status as an enduring icon. The ship's thick hull, constructed from American oak, was denser than its British counterparts, contributing to its resilience.
Over the years, the USS Constitution underwent various transformations, including serving as a training vessel during the American Civil War. Recognizing its historical significance, the government invested significant resources to restore the ship to its original 1812 configuration. The ship's restoration and preservation efforts, detailed in books like "Old Ironsides, Eagle of the Sea," showcase its enduring legacy and the nation's commitment to honouring its naval history.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution earned the nickname "Old Ironsides" after defeating the HMS Guerriere in the War of 1812. The British ship was unable to penetrate the Constitution's hull with their cannonballs, leading a sailor on the Guerriere to exclaim, "Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!".
The USS Constitution emerged from the battle with only minimal damage, while the HMS Guerriere was left severely damaged and unable to manoeuvre effectively. The USS Constitution's victory helped to boost morale for the young American republic.
After the battle, the USS Constitution went on to defeat or capture seven more British ships in the War of 1812. The ship became a symbol of American naval power and a source of national pride. It remains in commission as a U.S. Navy warship and is open for tours in Boston.
