Malcolm Rivera
The USS Constitution 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 as one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The USS Constitution was designed by Joshua Humphreys and built at Hartt's Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The frigate was designed to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period, with a hull that was over two feet thick. The USS Constitution was originally rated as a 44-gun frigate but often carried more than 50 guns, and played a crucial role in protecting American merchant shipping and defeating the Barbary pirates. The construction of the six frigates, including the USS Constitution, was authorized by the United States Congress at a total cost of $688,888.82 (equivalent to $18.1 million in 2023).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | $688,888.82 (equivalent to $18.1 million in 2023) |
| Launch date | 21 October 1797 |
| Length | 204 ft (62 m) |
| Width | 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m) |
| Speed | 13 knots (15 miles per hour) |
| Guns | 44 (often carried more than 50) |
| Hull thickness | 21 inches (530 mm) |
| Hull material | White oak |
| Hull weight | 10,000 pounds |
| Hull protection | Covered in copper |
| Current location | Charlestown Navy Yard, Massachusetts |
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What You'll Learn
The USS Constitution's construction cost
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 was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794.
The total cost of constructing the six frigates was $688,888.82 (equivalent to $18.1 million in 2023). However, there were cost escalations due to various reasons, including problems procuring live oak, the logistics of supplying six separate shipyards, fires, yellow fever, and bad weather. The War Department's substandard bookkeeping practices and delays in fund releases by the Treasury Department also contributed to the escalating costs.
The USS Constitution was constructed at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts. 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. The primary materials used in its construction were pine and oak, including southern live oak cut from Gascoigne Bluff and milled near St. Simons Island, Georgia. Enslaved workers were used to harvest the oak. The ship's hull was built 21 inches thick, with a length between perpendiculars of 175 feet and a total length of 204 feet. It required timber from Maine to Georgia and copper bolts and spikes supplied by Paul Revere.
The USS Constitution was designed by Joshua Humphreys to be larger, faster, stronger, and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period. It could reach speeds of 13 knots (15 miles per hour), much faster than most ships of its size. The ship's hull was its secret weapon, with a thickness of over two feet and a copper covering to protect it from wood-borers and cannonballs.
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The cost of maintenance and restoration
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. It was launched in 1797 and is one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The total cost of the six frigates was $688,888.82 (equivalent to $18.1 million in 2023).
The Constitution has undergone several repairs and restorations over the years to maintain its 1812 configuration. In 1927, the ship underwent a significant restoration, with US schoolchildren raising $154,000 to restore nearly 85% of the old wooden ship. From 1931 to 1934, the ship toured 90 United States ports following its reconstruction.
In 1954, Congress authorized the restoration of the Constitution to its original condition, and it was later named a National Historic Landmark in 1960. In 1972, funds were approved for another restoration, and the ship entered dry dock in 1973, with large quantities of red oak being replaced. The total cost of this restoration was $4.6 million.
The Constitution underwent another major overhaul from 2015 to 2017, which included new copper sheathing on its lower hull and other important upgrades. This restoration cost about $12 million. The ship is maintained by the Naval History & Heritage Command Detachment Boston, which ensures a supply of mature white oak for future restorations.
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The cost of guns and armaments
The USS Constitution was originally rated as a 44-gun frigate. However, it often carried more than 50 guns at a time. During the War of 1812, for example, it mounted 24 32-pound carronades on the spar deck, 18-pound "chase" guns forward, and 30 24-pound long guns on the gun deck. In a letter dated November 14, 1804, it is listed as having 52 guns: 30 24-pounders, 14 12-pounders, and 8 32-pounder carronades.
The guns and cannons on the USS Constitution were designed to be portable and were often exchanged between ships as needed. Each commanding officer outfitted armaments according to their preferences, considering factors such as the weight of stores, personnel on board, and planned routes. As a result, armaments changed frequently, and records of these changes were rarely kept.
The USS Constitution's guns have undergone several restorations. In 1906-1907, fifty-five replica guns were made for the ship. During the 1927-1931 restoration, all the present guns were cast, except for two 1812-era replica carronades on the after quarter deck. These carronades, cast in 1981, are closer to the ship's original armament. The replica long guns and their carriages were refurbished again during the 2015-2017 restoration, where they were stripped of their paint and recoated with a new protective layer.
The USS Constitution was one of the six original warships authorized by the 'Act to provide a Naval Armament', signed by President George Washington on March 27, 1794. These ships were designed to be powerful enough to engage any frigates of the French or British navies while being fast enough to evade larger ships of the line. Joshua Humphreys' design for the USS Constitution was notably unusual for the time, featuring a deep keel, long length, narrow beam, and very heavy guns. The hull was built with a thickness of 21 inches, a length of 175 feet between perpendiculars, an overall length of 204 feet, and a width of 43 feet 6 inches.
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The cost of crew and commander
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 USS Constitution was one of six frigates authorized by the Naval Act of 1794, at a total cost of $688,888.82 (equivalent to $18.1 million in 2023). The USS Constitution was constructed at Edmund Hartt's Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson, master shipwright Colonel George Claghorn, and Foreman Prince Athearn. The ship's keel was laid down on November 1, 1794, and it was launched on October 21, 1797. The total construction cost was about $302,000.
The cost of the crew and commander of the USS Constitution is not explicitly mentioned. However, the ship's crew and commander played a crucial role in its operations and maintenance. The crew was responsible for various tasks, including sailing, maintenance, and combat. The commander, on the other hand, had overall authority and responsibility for the ship and its crew.
Throughout its history, the USS Constitution has had multiple commanders who have led the ship during its notable voyages and battles. The first commander of the USS Constitution was Captain Samuel Nicholson, who oversaw the ship's construction and its early patrols along the U.S. east coast. Captain Isaac Hull, who commanded the ship during its victory over HMS Guerriere in August 1812, is another notable commander. Captain Hull also recognized the importance of maintaining the ship's performance and oversaw the removal of "ten wagon loads" of barnacles and seaweed from its hull.
In addition to the construction and maintenance costs, the USS Constitution has undergone several repairs and restorations that contribute to the overall expenses associated with the ship. These repairs were necessary due to battle damage, regular wear and tear, and the need to maintain the ship's seaworthiness. For example, in 1813, the ship underwent extensive repairs after suffering considerable damage during engagements with HMS Guerriere and HMS Java. The work included replacing deck beams, waterways, decks, ceilings, and knees, as well as new copper sheathing and rigging. The cost of these repairs was $46,600.
More recently, the USS Constitution has undergone periodic restorations to preserve its historical significance. During a 1970 inspection, it was discovered that decades of inadequate maintenance had left the ship in need of major repairs. Workers replaced a portion of the hull planking, recoppered the hull, and replaced masts and rigging. The total cost of these repairs was $4.6 million.
The current restoration project for the USS Constitution is estimated to cost between $12 million and $15 million. This project includes replacing the lower hull planking, caulking, copper sheathing, deck beams, rigging, and some upper masts.
While the specific costs associated with the crew and commander of the USS Constitution may not be available, it is evident that the ship's operations, maintenance, and repairs have incurred significant expenses throughout its long history. The crew and commander played vital roles in ensuring the ship's performance, safety, and success in various missions and battles.
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The cost of fuel and provisions
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 was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The total cost of constructing the six frigates was $688,888.82 (equivalent to $18.1 million in 2023), with the USS Constitution costing around $302,000.
The USS Constitution was designed by Joshua Humphreys and built at Hartt's Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The ship's hull was constructed from pine and oak, including southern live oak sourced from Georgia. The hull was built to be 21 inches (530 mm) thick, with a length of 175 feet (53 meters) between perpendiculars and an overall length of 204 feet (62 meters). The ship was rated as a 44-gun frigate but often carried more than 50 guns. The guns and cannons were portable and could be exchanged between ships as needed.
Fuel and provisions for the USS Constitution would have included wood for the ship's boilers and food and water for the crew. The ship typically had a crew of more than 450 officers, sailors, and marines, so provisioning for such a large group would have been a significant undertaking. Fresh food and water would have been replenished at ports during the ship's journeys.
In addition to fuel and provisions, the USS Constitution also required regular repairs and maintenance. For example, in 1833, repairs to the ship were estimated to cost $70,000, but Captain John Percival declared he could complete them for $10,000. The ship also underwent extensive repairs after the War of 1812, which included replacing the sails and copper sheathing on the hull.
Overall, the cost of fuel and provisions for the USS Constitution would have been a significant expense, but specific records or estimates of these costs are not readily available. The ship's long history and continued operation testify to the ongoing commitment to maintaining and supplying this iconic vessel.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution was one of the six frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The total cost of constructing the six frigates was $688,888.82 (equivalent to $18.1 million in 2023).
The USS Constitution was rated as a 44-gun frigate but often carried more than 50 guns at a time. During the War of 1812, its battery of guns consisted of 30 long 24-pounder cannons, with 15 on each side of the gun deck.
The USS Constitution was a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate.
