Isabella Carter
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy and one of the world's oldest ships still afloat. Launched in 1797, it is equipped with several cannons, including 32-pounder carronades, a long 18-pound chase gun, and 24-pound long guns. The number of cannons on the USS Constitution has varied over time, with 55 replica guns installed during its first 20th-century restoration in 1906-1907. Today, the ship's cannons are replicas, with the exception of two 1812-era replica carronades on the after quarter deck.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cannons | 54 originally, including 18-32 pounder carronades and 1795 6-pounder cannon |
| First duties | Protecting American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War |
| Current armament | Replica cannons, not originals |
| Restoration | 1906-1907, 1927-1931, 1981 |
| Construction | Three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate, built in Boston, Massachusetts |
| Launch date | 1797 |
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What You'll Learn
USS Constitution's guns are replicas, not originals
The USS Constitution, one of the first warships of the new United States Navy, was originally 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.
However, the cannons you see on the ship today are not the originals. The guns aboard are replicas, with only two capable of firing salute charges. The original guns were removed and replaced with replicas during the ship's first restoration in 1906-1907, when fifty-five replica guns were made. All of the present guns were cast for the 1927-1931 restoration, except for two 1812-era replica carronades on the after quarter deck, which were cast in 1981.
The 1906 restoration, overseen by Naval Constructor Elliot Snow, aimed to transform the ship from a receiving vessel to an early 19th-century sailing warship. However, Snow's decision to use French-designed guns, based on the belief that there was no documentation about the original guns, proved to be inaccurate. The 54 replica guns created during this restoration were later discarded as they were not of the type carried by the Constitution.
The 1927-1931 restoration attempted to rectify this issue, but the guns installed during this period were also historically inaccurate. Lieutenant John Lord, the restoration superintendent, noted in his 1931 final report that these guns were "not of the type carried by the Constitution." Eighteen of the thirty replica 24-pounders from this restoration were marked with a broad arrow and the royal cipher GR, signifying they were property of the British Crown and referencing King George II. This further contributed to the inaccuracy of the replicas.
Today, the USS Constitution's guns are a mix of those cast during the 1927-1931 restoration and the two 1812-era replica carronades added in 1981. While the guns on the ship are replicas, they help maintain the ship's historic appearance and are carefully maintained during restorations.
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USS Constitution's armaments during the War of 1812
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", is a 44-gun frigate that was launched in 1797. It was one of the first warships authorized by the 'Act to provide a Naval Armament', signed by President George Washington in 1794. Typically, the USS Constitution carried around 54 guns, though ships of this era had no permanent battery of guns and often carried different armaments depending on the situation and the commanding officer's preferences.
During the War of 1812, the USS Constitution was outfitted with 54 guns, including 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 battery of guns typically consisted of 30 long 24-pounder cannons, with 15 on each side of the gun deck.
In addition to its cannon armament, the USS Constitution also carried a variety of small arms and edged weapons, including muskets, rifles, cutlasses, pikes, and pistols. A well-appointed American warship in 1812 usually carried three muskets, three cutlasses, four pikes, and two pistols for every two guns (cannons). As such, a large ship like the USS Constitution would have needed at least 156 muskets, 156 cutlasses, 208 pikes, and 104 pistols.
The USS Constitution saw significant action during the War of 1812, defeating four English warships and capturing numerous British merchant vessels. Its capture of HMS Guerriere earned it the nickname "Old Ironsides", and it became a national icon, celebrated with parades and public adoration upon returning to Boston after each victory. The ship's success during the war helped shape the United States' rise as a maritime superpower.
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USS Constitution's modern armament
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy and one of the world's oldest ships still afloat. It was launched in 1797 and was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794.
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, an 18-pound long "chase" gun forward, and thirty 24-pound long guns on the gun deck.
Today, the Constitution's guns are replicas, not originals. 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, fifty-five replica guns were 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, which were cast in 1981. These carronades are closer to the Constitution's 1812 spar deck armament.
The methods used to restore the ship and its cannons have remained consistent over the decades. Ship restorers use cranes to hoist the guns on and off the ship, and these guns have been removed and refurbished during all subsequent 20th and 21st-century restorations. The restoration process includes cleaning rust and old paint from the barrel, preserving all found markings, and applying primer and paint to preserve the gun barrel finish.
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USS Constitution's 18-pounder cannons
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the US Navy. It is one of the US Navy's first six frigates and was rated as a 44-gun frigate. However, it typically carried around 54 guns.
During the War of 1812, the USS Constitution was armed with thirty 24-pounder long guns on the gun deck, twenty-four 32-pounder carronades on the spar deck, and a long 18-pounder "chase" gun forward. The 18-pounder "chase" gun was positioned at the bow of the ship and was used to pursue or flee from enemy vessels.
The 18-pounder "chase" gun was not the only cannon of its type on the USS Constitution during the War of 1812. Before the war, President John Adams ordered all Navy ships to sea to patrol for armed French ships and to free any American ships captured by them. The USS Constitution borrowed sixteen 18-pound cannons from Castle Island to be ready for this mission.
Today, the USS Constitution's guns are replicas, not originals. The current 18-pounder "chase" gun is a replica cast in 1981, along with two 1812-era replica carronades on the after quarter deck. These three guns are the closest to the original armament from the War of 1812.
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USS Constitution's 32-pounder cannons
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is one of the six original warships authorized by the Act to provide a Naval Armament, signed by President George Washington in 1794. The ship was originally rated as a 44-gun frigate but typically carried around 54 guns.
During the War of 1812, the USS Constitution mounted twenty-four 32-pounder carronades on the spar deck. These carronades were short-barrelled guns, typically weighing less than long guns of a similar calibre. They were known for their ease of use and were effective against the upper rigging and decks of enemy ships. The 32-pounder carronades had a shorter range than the long guns but could deliver a heavy projectile at close quarters, making them ideal for naval engagements.
In addition to the carronades, the USS Constitution also had an 18-pound "chase" gun forward and thirty 24-pound long guns on the gun deck during the War of 1812. The 24-pound long guns were the primary armament of the ship, providing both range and firepower. These guns were typically made of iron and were smoothbore, allowing for solid shot, canister shot, or grapeshot to be fired. The "chase" gun, as the name suggests, was used to pursue or flee from enemy vessels.
The guns on the USS Constitution were replaced and upgraded over time. In 1820, Charlestown Navy Yard Sailing Master Charles F. Waldo drew three types of guns earmarked for the ship's batteries: the "new" 24-pounder, the "old" 24-pounder, and the 32-pounder carronade. By 1833, when Captain Thomas ap Catesby Jones conducted his inspection of the U.S. Navy's cannons, the Constitution had been laid up for repairs for five years. The guns had been removed and were likely undergoing refurbishment or replacement.
Today, the guns on the USS Constitution are replicas, cast during the restoration efforts of the 20th and 21st centuries. While the ship no longer carries its original armament, the replicas accurately represent the types of guns that would have been used on board during its illustrious career.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, was launched with 54 guns in 1797.
The cannons on the USS Constitution are now replicas. The ship has 55 replica guns, with 18 marked with a board arrow and cipher, making them appear British in origin.
The ship features 24-pound long guns, 32-pound carronades, and a long 18-pound "chase" gun.
Yes, the American Heritage Museum has a Carronade 32-pounder cannon from the USS Constitution on display, along with a 1795 6-pounder cannon.
A carronade cannon is a type of cannon that fires massive balls of metal travelling at about 750 feet per second with a muzzle energy of over 24,000 foot-pounds.
