Eleanor Finch
The USS Constitution is a ship with a long and fascinating history of military service, dating back to its authorisation by Congress in 1794. Over the course of its career, the USS Constitution has seen action in one undeclared war and two official wars, defending the interests of American merchants and seamen. The ship's prowess in battle earned it the nickname Old Ironsides, and it is known for its perfect battle record, having never been defeated or boarded. One of its most notable engagements was against the HMS Guerriere during the War of 1812, where it emerged victorious despite facing a bigger, stronger-manned, and better-armed British ship. The USS Constitution's successes in battle have contributed to its enduring legacy, and it continues to be recognised as a symbol of American power and patriotism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of official wars fought | 2 |
| Number of undeclared wars fought | 1 |
| Battles during the War of 1812 | 4 |
| Battles during the Quasi-War | 1 |
| Battles against the Barbary powers | 1 |
| Total number of battles | 7 |
| Battles won | 7 |
| Battles lost | 0 |
| Nicknames | Old Ironsides, Ironsides |
| Number of men and boys during the War of 1812 | 451 |
| Percentage of free black men during the War of 1812 | 7–14% |
| Maximum speed attained during the War of 1812 | 6 knots (11 km/h; 6.9 mph) |
| Maximum speed attained in 1865 | 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) |
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What You'll Learn
USS Constitution's perfect battle record
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", has a perfect battle record, having never been defeated or boarded in over two hundred years of service.
The ship was authorised by Congress in 1794, built in 1797, and launched in 1798. The USS Constitution saw action in one undeclared war and two official wars. Its first mission was to defend the rights of American seamen and merchants from French privateers during the Quasi-War between the French and the Americans, which was waged from 1797 to 1801 in the Atlantic and the West Indies.
After peace was arranged with the French, the USS Constitution sailed to the Mediterranean Sea in 1803, where it remained for four years. Its mission was to protect American merchants from the Barbary Coast states of North Africa, which preyed on shipping in the Mediterranean. The highlight of its military action in this conflict was the bombardment of Tripoli with the rest of the U.S. fleet in late summer 1804.
The USS Constitution is best known for its role in the War of 1812, where it played a part in numerous naval engagements. Despite being laid up in dry dock and blockaded in Boston Harbor for several months, the ship managed to defeat four frigates of the British navy, including two in one day. Its ability to defeat powerful British frigates without sustaining much damage itself earned it its famous nickname, "Old Ironsides". The ship's heavy broadsides and sailing ability surprised the British, and its sturdy hull rebounded cannonballs harmlessly, leading one American sailor to exclaim, "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!".
The USS Constitution's victories against the British forced the Royal Navy to abandon the practice of one-on-one encounters between their frigates and larger U.S. frigates. The ship continued to secure numerous bloodless victories until it was taken out of active service in 1855. It has not fired a round in combat since February 1815, during its battle with HMS Cyane and HMS Levant, in which it emerged victorious despite having twelve 32-pound British cannonballs embedded in its hull.
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The Quasi War
The USS Constitution was authorised by Congress in 1794, built in 1797, and launched in 1798. Over the course of its two centuries of service, the ship has fought in one undeclared war and two official wars.
The undeclared war was the Quasi-War between the French and the Americans, which was waged from 1797 to 1801 in the Atlantic and the West Indies. French privateers were seizing American merchant vessels bound for England, in an attempt to damage British trade. The USS Constitution sailed to defend American merchants and hunted down French privateers.
After the Quasi-War, the Constitution sailed to the Mediterranean Sea to protect American merchants from the Barbary Coast states of North Africa. These states would prey on the shipping of any country in the Mediterranean that did not pay them tribute. The highlight of her military action in that conflict was the bombardment of Tripoli with the rest of the U.S. fleet in late summer 1804.
The USS Constitution also saw action in the War of 1812, which was fought between the United States and Great Britain. The ship was involved in several naval engagements during this war, including the famous battle against HMS Guerriere. The Constitution defeated Guerriere despite facing a bigger, stronger-manned, and better-armed ship. This victory was important for American morale, and the Constitution gained the nickname "Old Ironsides" due to her ability to withstand enemy fire.
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War of 1812
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", has a perfect battle record, having never been defeated or boarded. The ship was authorized by Congress in 1794, built in 1797, and launched in 1798. It saw action in one undeclared war and two official wars, serving as a powerful arm of the United States military.
During the War of 1812, the USS Constitution played a significant role in several naval engagements. Despite being laid up in dry dock for six months and blockaded in Boston Harbor for another six, the ship managed to defeat four frigates of the British Navy, including two in a single day. The USS Constitution's ability to defeat enemy ships without sustaining significant damage earned it its famed nickname, "Old Ironsides".
One notable battle during the War of 1812 was between the USS Constitution and HMS Guerriere, about 400 miles southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on August 19, 1812. Despite facing a bigger, stronger, and better-armed American ship, Captain James Richard Dacres of the Guerriere engaged in battle. However, the exchange of broadsides felled the Guerriere's masts, leaving the ship in a sinking condition. The Constitution's crew took the British sailors on board, set the Guerriere on fire, and returned to Boston, boosting American morale.
The USS Constitution also encountered and defeated other British ships during the War of 1812, including HMS Java, HMS Cyane, and HMS Levant. The victories of the USS Constitution forced the Royal Navy to change its tactics and avoid one-on-one encounters with larger U.S. frigates. The War of 1812 marked the last time America and Great Britain were on opposing sides of an armed conflict, and it contributed to the emergence of Canada as an independent nation.
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USS Constitution's role in the Mediterranean Sea
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy and the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. It was launched in 1797, one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794, and saw action in one undeclared war and two official wars.
The USS Constitution spent most of its active career cruising the Mediterranean Sea. The ship first sailed to the Mediterranean in 1803 and remained there for four years. Its mission was to protect American merchants from the powers of the Barbary Coast of North Africa. These states preyed on the shipping of any country in the Mediterranean that did not pay them tribute. The highlight of its military action in that conflict was the bombardment of Tripoli in late summer 1804.
The USS Constitution continued to patrol the Mediterranean Sea in the 19th century, providing support and protection for American shipping. It also served as the Mediterranean Squadron flagship. During this time, the United States Navy maintained a squadron in the region to remind Europe that the United States was a force to be reckoned with on the high seas.
In 1837, the USS Constitution was part of the American squadron at Alexandria, Egypt, as depicted in a watercolour painting by Midshipman Melanchthon B. Woolsey. The ship was also present at Minorca between February 11 and April 23, 1837, and again between October 24, 1837, and February 1, 1838.
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USS Constitution's six-sail battle configuration
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", is a ship with a perfect battle record, having never been defeated or boarded in her over 200 years of service. The ship was authorised by Congress in 1794, built in 1797, and launched in 1798.
The USS Constitution saw action in one undeclared war and two official wars. It first went to sea to defend the rights of American seamen and merchants. At the end of the 18th century, French privateers were seizing merchant vessels bound for England, attempting to damage British trade. The Quasi-War between the French and the Americans was fought from 1797 to 1801 in the Atlantic and the West Indies. The French tried to capture American ships, while the U.S. Navy, including the USS Constitution, protected American merchants and hunted down French privateers.
After peace was arranged with the French, the Constitution sailed to the Mediterranean Sea to protect American merchants from the states of the Barbary Coast of North Africa. These states would prey on the shipping of any country in the Mediterranean that did not pay them tribute. In 1803, the Constitution sailed to the Barbary Coast and remained for four years. The highlight of her military action in that conflict was the bombardment of Tripoli with the rest of the U.S. fleet in late summer 1804.
The USS Constitution was involved in numerous naval engagements during the War of 1812. Although she was laid up in dry dock for six months and blockaded in Boston Harbour for another six, the Constitution managed to get to sea and defeat four frigates of the British navy, including two on one day. Her ability to defeat powerful ships without sustaining much damage herself earned her the famed nickname "Old Ironsides".
The USS Constitution's speed and manoeuvrability during her active years were the result of her sleek hull and tall sailing rig. The ship's six sails were made in 1996 and included two jibs, three topsails, and the spanker. The three topsails were made by Nathaniel Wilson of East Boothbay, Maine, one of the last sailmakers capable of manufacturing square sails of the size needed for the USS Constitution. The sails supplied the power needed to drive the ship in ocean passages and the swiftness needed to escape or chase the enemy.
On July 21, 1997, the USS Constitution sailed under her own power for the first time since 1881, commemorating 200 years of peace between Great Britain and the United States. The ship was towed out of Marblehead Harbour to Massachusetts Bay and her crew of 150 began setting the six sails. At noon, the Constitution's tow lines were dropped, and she began to sail unassisted.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution has a perfect battle record, having never been defeated or boarded. It has won at least 14 significant battles.
The USS Constitution's first battle was in the Quasi-War between the French and the Americans, which took place from 1797 to 1801 in the Atlantic and the West Indies.
One of the USS Constitution's most famous battles was against HMS Guerriere during the War of 1812. The victory was important for American morale, and it earned the ship its famed nickname, "Old Ironsides".
The USS Constitution also defeated the British warships Cyane and Levant, as well as HMS Java. It had four successful cruises during the War of 1812 and played a role in protecting American merchants in the Mediterranean Sea from the Barbary Coast states.
The USS Constitution's last battle took place in February 1815 against HMS Cyane and HMS Levant.
