Isabella Carter
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, has undergone numerous restorations since its launch in 1797. The ship's hull, made of thick oak and covered in copper, was its secret weapon, allowing it to withstand enemy fire and earn its famous nickname. Over the years, the USS Constitution has been restored to its War of 1812 appearance, with funds coming from various sources. The restoration costs have varied across different projects, with one source estimating the cost of restoration between $12 million and $15 million. Another source mentions a restoration project in the 1920s that cost $946,000, which would be equivalent to over $11 million today. Yet another restoration effort in the 1970s, which involved replacing large quantities of red oak, was funded by Congress with an allocation of up to $300,000.
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What You'll Learn
The USS Constitution's 2015-2017 restoration cost $12-15 million
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", is a historic naval frigate that has undergone numerous repairs, refits, and restorations over its more than 220-year career. The ship is renowned for its role in the War of 1812 and its sturdy hull construction, which earned it the nickname "Old Ironsides".
In May 2015, the USS Constitution entered Dry Dock 1 at the Charlestown Navy Yard to undergo a significant two-year restoration. This restoration project aimed to restore the copper sheets on the ship's hull and replace the deck boards. The work was conducted by the Naval History & Heritage Command Detachment Boston, who are responsible for preserving and restoring the ship to its War of 1812 appearance.
The 2015-2017 restoration of the USS Constitution was a complex and costly endeavour, with a total estimated cost of $12-15 million provided by the Department of the Navy. This restoration built upon previous efforts to maintain and restore the ship, ensuring its longevity and historical accuracy.
Over the years, the USS Constitution has undergone several notable restorations. In the 1920s, approximately 85% of the ship was replaced during a restoration project that lasted from 1927 to 1931. This work was followed by another significant restoration from 1992 to 1996, which focused on restoring the ship's structural strength according to its original 1794 building instructions. More recently, in 2017, work continued on the ship, including the replacement of the jibboom with a laminated Douglas fir spar and the addition of a new spritsail yard.
The USS Constitution holds a significant place in American history, and the efforts to restore and maintain the ship are a testament to its enduring legacy. The 2015-2017 restoration, with its $12-15 million price tag, reflects the commitment to preserving this iconic vessel for future generations to experience and learn from.
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The ship's 1992-1995 restoration
The USS Constitution has undergone numerous "re-fits", "rebuilds", "overhauls", and "restorations" across her more than 220-year career. One notable restoration period occurred between 1992 and 1995, marking the second most important 20th-century restoration for the ship.
During this four-year restoration, the USS Constitution underwent significant work to restore its structural strength and integrity. The project was guided by Joshua Humphreys' original 1794 instructions for building the frigates, aiming to bring the ship back to its original glory. This restoration included the following key aspects:
- Strengthening Initiative: The restoration crew implemented a five-part strengthening initiative, focusing on recreating and installing long-lost structural elements. This initiative aimed to enhance the ship's overall structural integrity.
- Spar Deck Replacement: The spar deck, which had suffered decay in the past, was completely replaced during this restoration.
- Rigging Upgrade: The oldest known model of the USS Constitution, the 1812 "Isaac Hull" model, played a crucial role in upgrading the rigging. This 3D piece of historic documentation informed the necessary upgrades to the rigging setup.
- Hull Work: The ship underwent extensive hull work, including the replacement of select hull planks and the application of copper sheathing below the waterline. This work helped protect the hull from wood-borers and other damage.
- Weight Reduction: Approximately 20 tons of unnecessary upper hull structure were removed, reducing excess weight from the 215-year-old keel. This weight reduction improved the ship's overall performance and stability.
The 1992-1995 restoration was a meticulous and comprehensive process, ensuring the ship's structural integrity and historical accuracy. The work enabled the USS Constitution to sail under its own power for its 200th anniversary on July 21, 1997, off the coast of Marblehead, Massachusetts.
While specific cost estimates for this particular restoration period are not readily available, the USS Constitution's restoration projects are generally in the millions of dollars. For example, the 2015-2017 restoration had a cost of $12-$15 million, provided by the Department of the Navy.
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The 1927-1931 restoration
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", has undergone numerous "re-fits", "rebuilds", "overhauls", and "restorations" throughout its more than 220-year career.
One of the significant restoration periods for the USS Constitution took place between 1927 and 1931. During this time, approximately 85% of the ship was replaced or "renewed" to make her seaworthy again. The restoration work began in June 1927, when the USS Constitution entered Dry Dock #1 at the Charlestown Navy Yard with a crowd of 10,000 observers. Lieutenant John A. Lord was selected to oversee the reconstruction project, and the final cost of the restoration was $946,000 (equivalent to $11,076,523 in 2024).
The funds for this restoration were raised through various efforts, including a campaign by the national Elks Lodge, which presented programs to schoolchildren about the USS Constitution and encouraged them to donate pennies towards her restoration, eventually raising $148,000. The silent film "Old Ironsides", portraying the ship during the First Barbary War, also helped to spur contributions to the restoration fund. Additionally, Congress approved up to $300,000 to complete the restoration.
The restoration work focused on returning the USS Constitution to its War of 1812 appearance, following Joshua Humphreys' original 1794 instructions for building the frigates. This included the replacement of the ship's hull planking, rigging work, and the use of live oak in its construction. The USS Constitution emerged from dry dock on 15 March 1930, and the restoration enabled the ship to sail under its own power for the first time in 116 years in July 1997, off the coast of Marblehead, Massachusetts.
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Funding for the USS Constitution's restoration
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", has undergone numerous "re-fits", "rebuilds", "overhauls", and "restorations" throughout its more than 220-year career. The ship's restoration costs have been funded through various means, including government allocations, public donations, and memorabilia sales.
One notable restoration campaign in the 1920s involved fundraising efforts targeted at schoolchildren. The national Elks Lodge sponsored a program that encouraged students to donate pennies towards the restoration of "Old Ironsides". This initiative raised $148,000, but the repair estimates climbed to over $745,000 (approximately $10.3 million in 2023). The final campaign included selling memorabilia made from the ship's discarded planking and metal, which brought in more than $600,000. Congress approved additional funding of up to $300,000 to complete the restoration, which ultimately cost $946,000 (equivalent to over $11 million in 2024).
In the 1970s, the USS Constitution underwent another significant restoration. Funds were approved in 1972, and the ship entered dry dock in April 1973, remaining there until April 1974. During this period, large quantities of red oak, which had been added in the 1950s as an experiment but had mostly rotted away by 1970, were removed and replaced.
More recently, from 2015 to 2017, the USS Constitution underwent a two-year restoration program at Dry Dock 1 in Charlestown Navy Yard. The Department of the Navy provided funding for this restoration, which cost between $12 million and $15 million. The work included restoring the copper sheets on the ship's hull and replacing deck boards.
The USS Constitution is currently maintained and restored by the Naval History & Heritage Command Detachment Boston, which aims to restore the ship to its appearance during the War of 1812 "as far as practicable." The ship undergoes restoration work approximately every 20 years.
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The ship's 1973-1974 restoration
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", has undergone numerous refits, rebuilds, overhauls, and restorations over her more than 220-year career. The ship's hull, made of three layers of wood, including exterior and interior oak planking, is its secret weapon, allowing it to withstand blows from enemy cannon fire.
In 1972, funds were approved for a significant restoration, and the USS Constitution entered dry dock in April 1973, remaining there until April 1974. During this period, a large quantity of red oak was removed and replaced. The red oak had been added in the 1950s as an experiment to test its durability compared to live oak, but it had mostly rotted away by 1970.
The restoration work in 1973-1974 also included significant below-the-waterline repairs, such as replacing the copper sheathing installed during the 1927 restoration, as well as some framing and rigging work. Commander Tyrone G. Martin, who became the ship's captain in August 1974, set the precedent that all construction work on the USS Constitution should aim to maintain the ship's 1812 configuration, for which it is most renowned.
The USS Constitution has continued to undergo periodic restorations and repairs to preserve its historical integrity. In 1992-1995, the ship underwent another significant restoration, implementing a five-part strengthening initiative that involved recreating and installing structural elements that had been lost over time. This restoration also included replacing the spar deck and updating the ship's rigging based on historical research and the 1812 "Isaac Hull" model at the Peabody Essex Museum.
The USS Constitution's most recent major restoration took place between 2015 and 2017, with the ship entering Dry Dock 1 in Charlestown Navy Yard to begin a two-year restoration program. This restoration focused on restoring the copper sheets on the ship's hull and replacing deck boards, with a total cost of $12-15 million provided by the Department of the Navy.
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Frequently asked questions
The restoration cost the Department of the Navy between $12 million and $15 million.
The restoration in 1927 cost $946,000, which is equivalent to $11,076,523 in 2024.
Congress approved up to $300,000 to complete the restoration, which, along with the $600,000 raised by the committee, brought the total to $900,000.
The restoration lasted from 1992 to 1995 and was the second most important restoration of the 20th century. However, I cannot find the exact cost of this restoration.
