Isabella Carter
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is one of the six original frigates authorized by the Naval Act of 1794. It was designed by Joshua Humphreys and built by Edmund Hartt's Boston shipyard. The USS Constitution was first launched in 1797 and has been in Boston Harbour ever since. It has seen action in the Quasi-War with France, off the coast of Africa against the Barbary Pirates, and in the War of 1812, where it defeated five British warships. The USS Constitution is currently berthed at Pier One in the Charlestown Navy Yard and is open to the public for tours and demonstrations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time in Boston Harbor | 224 years |
| Arrival in Boston | 1897, October 24 |
| Current Status | Museum ship and memorial at the Charlestown Navy Yard |
| Nicknames | Old Ironsides, The Constitution |
| Launch Date | 21 October 1797 |
| Builder | Edmund Hartt's Shipyard, Boston |
| Designer | Joshua Humphreys |
| Homeport | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Length | 204 ft (62 m) overall |
| Beam | 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m) |
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What You'll Learn
USS Constitution's history in Boston Harbor
The USS Constitution has a long history in Boston Harbour, dating back to its launch in 1797. Designed by Joshua Humphreys and built by Edmund Hartt's Boston shipyard, the ship is named by George Washington in honour of the nation's founding document. The USS Constitution first saw action during the Quasi-War with France and then off the coast of Africa against the Barbary Pirates.
One of the ship's most notable moments in Boston Harbour occurred in 1812 when it defeated five British warships during the War of 1812. During this battle, a British cannonball bounced off the hull, prompting a crew member to shout, "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!" This earned the ship the nickname "Old Ironsides."
Over the years, the USS Constitution has undergone several restorations and upgrades while docked in Boston Harbour. In the 1950s, the heating system was upgraded to a forced-air system, and a sprinkler system was added for fire protection. In 1974, Commander Tyrone G. Martin took command of the ship and led preparations for the United States Bicentennial celebrations. Under his leadership, all construction work was aimed at maintaining the ship's 1812 configuration.
The USS Constitution is currently berthed at Pier One of the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. It continues to be a popular attraction, offering public tours led by its active-duty crew and participating in educational programs and special events. Each year, the ship makes a "turnaround cruise," where it is towed into Boston Harbour to perform underway demonstrations and fire a gun salute. This cruise ensures the ship weathers evenly and is a beloved tradition in the city of Boston.
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The ship's design and construction
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 ship was launched in 1797 and is one of the six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794, and the third to be constructed. The name "Constitution" was among ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering. The ship was designed by Joshua Humphreys and built by Edmund Hartt's Boston shipyard. Its hull is made of live and white oak, with copper fastenings made by Paul Revere. The ship's keel was laid on November 1, 1794, under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson, master shipwright Colonel George Claghorn, and Foreman Prince Athearn of Martha's Vineyard Athearns. The hull was built 21 inches thick and 175 feet long between perpendiculars, with an overall length of 204 feet and a width of 43 feet. The construction required 60 acres of trees, primarily pine and oak, including southern live oak sourced from Georgia. The USS Constitution was built to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period, as Humphreys recognized that the fledgling United States could not match the European navies in size. Thus, the ship was designed to overpower any frigate while escaping from a ship of the line.
Over the years, the USS Constitution has undergone multiple refittings and restorations. In 1954, an Act of Congress made the Secretary of the Navy responsible for her upkeep. In 1972, funds were approved for her restoration, and she entered dry dock in 1973 for extensive work, including the replacement of large quantities of red oak that had been added in the 1950s as an experiment but had mostly rotted away. Commander Tyrone G. Martin became her captain in August 1974 and set the precedent that all construction work should maintain the ship's 1812 configuration. The ship entered dry dock again in 1992 for an inspection and minor repairs, which turned into a comprehensive structural restoration. The Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston reviewed Humphreys' original plans and identified key structural components to prevent hogging of the hull. Using radiography, they were able to find hidden problems and increase hull stiffness. The ship's most recent dry dock period was in 2015 for scheduled restoration.
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Restoration work
USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", has undergone numerous "re-fits", "rebuilds", "overhauls", and "restorations" throughout her more than 220-year career. The ship was first launched in 1797 and has had 77 commanders since then.
One of the earliest recorded instances of restoration work on the USS Constitution took place in 1801, just four years after her launch. After her service in the Quasi-War with France, the ship underwent an extensive refit, including stern work and new Paul Revere-made copper sheathing.
In the 1950s, the heating system was upgraded to a forced-air system, and a sprinkler system was added to protect the ship from fires. During this decade, an experiment was also conducted where red oak was added to the ship to test its durability against live oak. However, by 1970, the red oak had mostly rotted away.
In 2007, another significant restoration project was undertaken, lasting until 2010. This restoration returned the ship to its sleek look, with lowered bulwarks and an open midships waist. The process removed 30-35 tons of excess weight from the ship's over 210-year-old keel.
In May 2015, the USS Constitution entered dry dock once again for a scheduled restoration. This restoration work continued into 2016, with ship restorers from the Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston working alongside teams of sailors to bring the ship back to its former glory. The ship was refloated on July 23, 2017, and further work was done, including the replacement of the jibboom with a laminated Douglas fir spar.
The mission of the restoration teams is to restore the USS Constitution to its appearance during the War of 1812, "as far as practicable". This famous warship has a long history of sailing, including voyages to the Mediterranean Sea and around the world in the mid-19th century, and later serving as a navy training ship from the 1860s to the 1880s. The preservation and restoration of this iconic ship are ongoing responsibilities, ensuring that visitors can continue to experience its rich history.
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The ship's crew
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, has been in Boston Harbor since at least 1938. On September 21 of that year, the ship broke loose from her dock during the New England Hurricane and collided with the destroyer Ralph Talbot.
The crew of the USS Constitution has played a significant role in the ship's history and its presence in Boston Harbor. The ship's crew, composed of active-duty members of the US Navy, participate in various ceremonies, educational programs, and special events. They offer free tours to visitors year-round, providing a unique perspective on the ship's history and its role in naval warfare.
The crew's duties extend beyond maintenance and hosting tours. They actively participate in public events and educational outreach programs, promoting an understanding of the Navy's role in both war and peace. Their involvement in ceremonies and special events helps to bring the ship's history to life, engaging and educating the public about naval traditions and the ship's illustrious past.
The crew's work during the restoration and maintenance periods is also noteworthy. They ensure that the ship is properly maintained and preserved, adhering to Commander Tyrone G. Martin's precedent of maintaining the ship's 1812 configuration, for which it is most renowned. The crew's dedication to this configuration ensures that visitors experience the ship as it was during its most notable periods of service.
The USS Constitution has had a long line of commanders, with 77 in total since its launch in 1797. Each commander has left their mark on the ship's history, including Captain John Rodgers, who mistakenly identified HMS Little Belt as Guerriere, and Commander Tyrone G. Martin, who led preparations for the United States Bicentennial celebrations.
Today, the crew of approximately 75 sailors continues to uphold the ship's legacy and ensure its longevity for future generations to experience and learn from. Their dedication to their duties, whether ceremonial, educational, or restorative, contributes to the USS Constitution's enduring presence in Boston Harbor and its reputation as one of the most iconic warships in American history.
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Public access and tours
The USS Constitution is berthed at Pier One in the Charlestown Navy Yard, at the terminus of Boston's Freedom Trail. It is open to the public year-round and offers free tours led by its crew of approximately 75 US Navy sailors. The ship is closed on Mondays and major holidays.
To reach the Charlestown Navy Yard, you can take the subway, known as the "T", with the closest stops being Bunker Hill Community College on the Orange Line and North Station on the Green Line. Alternatively, you can ride the Old Town Trolley, which provides an informative narration about Boston's historic landmarks.
Before boarding the warship, visitors over 18 must present a valid government-issued photo ID and pass through a security checkpoint. During the public tours, visitors can take photos at the wheel and learn about the ship's history and the lives of the sailors who served on it.
Adjacent to the USS Constitution is the USS Cassin Young (DD – 793), built in 1943 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986. The ship served during World War II and the Korean War and is one of only four Fletcher-class destroyers still afloat.
The privately-run USS Constitution Museum is located nearby in a restored shipyard building. The museum features interactive exhibits that showcase the ship's construction, as well as the daily lives of the sailors on board. It is typically open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution has been in Boston Harbor since 1797.
The USS Constitution is berthed at Pier One in the Charlestown Navy Yard.
The mission of the USS Constitution is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through active participation in public events and educational programs.
The USS Constitution sails into Boston Harbor once a year to perform underway demonstrations and fire a gun salute.
