Malcolm Rivera
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a sailing warship with a long and fascinating history. With its sleek hull and tall sailing rig, it was designed to be powerful and manoeuvrable, and its speed and performance were the result of its design and large sail area. But how many sails does this iconic ship have? In this paragraph, we will explore the USS Constitution's sails and learn about the role they played in its naval career.
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What You'll Learn
USS Constitution's sails in battle
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the US Navy, and one of the US's first warships. It was launched in 1797 and has been in active service for over 200 years. The ship's mission today is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through educational outreach, historical demonstration, and active participation in public events.
The USS Constitution's sails were integral to its success in battle. In one such battle, the USS Constitution sighted the small British ships Cyane and Levant sailing in company and gave chase. During the pursuit, the Constitution suffered a setback when its main royal mast cracked and fell. However, the crew quickly cut away the damaged spar and sent up a new one, getting the ship back under full sail in just an hour. The Constitution closed in on the two British ships, which had joined forces and were sailing in a line astern. The Constitution held the favoured weather position and ranged alongside the aftermost ship, the HMS Cyane. An exchange of broadsides followed, with the Constitution returning fire even after its helm was destroyed by a shot from the Cyane. The Constitution's skilled crew and manoeuvrability allowed it to outmanoeuvre the British ships and ultimately emerge victorious.
In another encounter, the USS Constitution came across a Portuguese frigate under full sail from the windward side. The quarterdeck watch was alerted to the ship's presence by the ship's dog, a terrier named Guerriere, who spotted the frigate from his perch atop a carronade. The two ships exchanged fire, but neither was damaged, and they soon went on their separate ways.
The USS Constitution has also sailed into battle with HMS Java, captained by Henry Lambert. Despite initially suffering severe damage to its rigging, the Constitution recovered and returned a series of broadsides. A shot from the Java destroyed the Constitution's helm, but Captain Bainbridge directed the crew to steer manually using the tiller for the remainder of the engagement. The Constitution emerged victorious once more, with the Java's bowsprit becoming entangled in its rigging.
The USS Constitution's sails played a crucial role in its battles, allowing it to manoeuvre, chase down enemy ships, and recover from setbacks. The ship's crew was skilled in repairing damage and getting the ship back under sail quickly, contributing to its success in naval engagements.
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The manpower required to reef or furl the sails
The USS Constitution is a sailing warship with a long history dating back to its launch in 1797. With three masts and 44 sails, this grand ship required a large crew to manage its vast sail area.
First Lieutenant Ellie Vallette, who served aboard the USS Constitution in the mid-1820s, kept a detailed record of the duties of each officer and sailor, known as the "watch and quarter bill". This record provides valuable insight into the specific manpower requirements for different tasks, including reefing and furling the sails. According to Vallette's record, the main top yard, from which the main topsail hangs, required a minimum of 32 men—16 on each side—to bring in the heavy flax sail.
The size and weight of the sails posed a significant challenge, necessitating the strength and coordination of multiple crew members. The main topsail, for example, had impressive dimensions: 56 feet wide at the head, 50 feet high on its sides (leeches), and 74 feet wide at the foot. Managing such large sails required precise coordination among the crew to ensure a smooth and safe operation.
In addition to the physical demands, the crew also needed to possess the necessary skills and knowledge to handle the sails effectively. While some crew members were as young as nine during the War of 1812, they were likely skilled sailors, even if they lacked formal education. The average age of a full crew was 26 years old, and they were predominantly young, with some older sailors among them. The crew composition reflected the diverse nature of the time, with most crew members from Massachusetts and others from across the United States, Great Britain, and Western Europe. Notably, 7 to 14 percent of the crew were free men of color, earning the same wages as their white counterparts.
Today, the active-duty US Navy crew of the USS Constitution numbers between 60 and 70 men and women, a far cry from the over 480 officers, sailors, and Marines aboard during the War of 1812. However, the ship's restoration and sailing events in recent decades, including its 200th birthday in 1997, have required dedicated sail training for the crew to handle the square-rigged sails effectively.
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The ship's speed and manoeuvrability
The USS Constitution's speed and manoeuvrability were due in part to its sleek hull design and tall sailing rig. With three masts, the ship could carry up to 44 sails, providing a large sail area to catch the wind. The ship's speed was further enhanced by the use of lightweight and durable synthetic sails made from a material called Oceanus, which does not absorb water, keeping the weight of the sails consistent in wet or dry conditions.
The ship's rig aloft, or sailing warship's engine, played a crucial role in the ship's power and swiftness. The original design by shipbuilder Joshua Humphreys emphasised the need for power and usefulness, giving the commander the ability to engage or disengage with enemy ships as they saw fit. This design philosophy is reflected in the ship's ability to utilise its numerous sails to drive it forward in ocean passages and manoeuvre swiftly when escaping or chasing an enemy.
The size and power of the USS Constitution's rig is evident in early paintings of the ship, such as the one attributed to Michele Felice Cornè. The vast manpower required to reef or furl the large, deep topsails is also noteworthy, as described in First Lieutenant Ellie Vallette's "watch and quarter bill" from the mid-1820s. Vallette's records indicate that a minimum of 32 men were needed to bring in the heavy flax sail of the main top yard, with 16 men on each side.
The USS Constitution's speed and manoeuvrability have been further studied and tested in modern times. During the 1997 sailing event, CDR Beck determined the ship's proposed sail plan, taking into account wind speed, direction, and sea conditions. The ship's performance under different sail configurations was also tested in a hydromechanics laboratory, where a miniature model of the USS Constitution was subjected to winds of varying speeds. These tests provided valuable insights into the ship's sailing characteristics.
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The size and power of the rig
The USS Constitution is a formidable ship, with three masts that can carry up to 44 sails, covering almost an acre of canvas. The ship's speed and manoeuvrability during its active years were not only due to its sleek hull but also to its tall sailing rig. The rig aloft is the sailing warship's engine, and the USS Constitution's rig provided the power and swiftness needed to drive the ship in ocean passages and chase or escape the enemy.
The ship's original design, by shipbuilder Joshua Humphreys, intended for it to be powerful and useful, with the ability to engage or avoid any ship. The vast number of sails on the USS Constitution supplied the power required to drive the ship forward and gave it the speed necessary for battle.
The size of the sails is impressive, with the main topsail, the largest of the six sails made for the 1997 sailing event, measuring 56 feet wide at the head and 74 feet wide at the foot. The three topsails were made by Nathaniel Wilson of East Boothbay, Maine, one of the few sailmakers capable of manufacturing square sails of the size needed for the USS Constitution. The topsails were large and deep, requiring a minimum of 32 men, 16 on each side, to bring in the heavy flax sail.
The USS Constitution's rig is not just about size, but also about power and efficiency. The sails provided a large enough area for the wind to catch without having to set too many sails. This efficiency is demonstrated in the "battle sail" configuration, where the ship sailed with only six sails set during its engagement with HMS Guerriere in 1812. Even with these limited sails, the USS Constitution still carried 12,225 square feet of sail, showcasing the effectiveness of its rig.
The USS Constitution's rig is a testament to the ship's design and power, contributing to its speed and manoeuvrability during its active years and making it a force to be reckoned with on the high seas.
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The materials used to make the sails
The USS Constitution is a sailing warship with six sails: two jibs, three topsails, and a spanker. The sails are made from a synthetic material called Dacron fiber, or Oceanus, which resembles natural canvas. This material is ideal as it does not absorb water, unlike cotton duck.
The sails were constructed in the mid-1990s by several different makers. Nathaniel Wilson of East Boothbay, Maine crafted the three topsails. Wilson was one of the few remaining sailmakers with the skill to make square sails of the size required by the USS Constitution. The spanker and flying jib were made by the Naval History & Heritage Command Detachment Boston, and James Brink of Brooklyn, New York crafted the jib.
The Dacron fiber used for the sails was produced by North Cloth of Milford, Connecticut. This synthetic material was chosen to replicate the original canvas sails but with added benefits. The original sails would have been made from canvas, a type of cloth made from natural materials such as cotton or linen. Canvas was a durable and breathable fabric, making it suitable for ship sails.
The USS Constitution was first launched in 1797, and its construction required 60 acres of trees. The primary materials used were pine and oak, including southern live oak sourced from Georgia. The ship's hull was built 21 inches thick, with a length of 175 feet between perpendiculars and an overall length of 204 feet.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution has a total of 44 sails.
The USS Constitution used six sails during its engagement with HMS Guerriere on August 19, 1812.
It takes a large crew to furl the main topsail, with a minimum of 32 people required—16 on each side.
