Omar Bennett
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. Built between 1794 and 1797, the ship has seen service in four different centuries and is considered a Nation's ship. The question of how much of the original ship remains is a complex one. While it is estimated that only 8-15% of the original material remains, the ship has undergone numerous repairs and restorations over the years, with some parts being replaced and others being preserved. The ship's career began in 1798, and it has since sailed to protect American interests in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and even embarked on a two-year around-the-world cruise. Despite its age, the USS Constitution remains a symbol of American maritime power and history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 1797 |
| Original wood remaining | Essentially none |
| Original material remaining | 8-15% |
| Current location | Boston Harbour |
| Original purpose | Protecting American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War |
| Current purpose | Museum ship |
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What You'll Learn
- The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat
- The ship was built using pine and oak, with some materials sourced from Georgia
- The ship's career began in 1798, when it sailed to the Caribbean to protect American merchant vessels
- The ship has been restored multiple times, with the most recent restoration taking place between 2015 and 2017
- The ship has been designated as America's official Ship of State
The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat
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, having been launched in 1797. The name "Constitution" was one of ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering. Joshua Humphreys designed the Constitution and its sister ships to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period. The ship was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, with its hull built 21 inches thick and a length of 204 feet.
The USS Constitution has a rich history, serving in multiple conflicts and undergoing several restorations. Its career began in 1798 when it sailed to the Caribbean to protect American merchant vessels from French privateers in what became known as the Quasi-War with France. During this conflict, the ship made several captures and achieved the first successful "underway replenishment," allowing it to stay at sea for 347 days out of 366. In the 1820s and 1830s, the Constitution regularly sailed to the Mediterranean Sea to protect American commerce. In 1844, the warship embarked on a two-year around-the-world cruise, visiting over 25 foreign ports, including Mozambique, Borneo, Cochin China (Vietnam), Java, and Mexico.
During the American Civil War, the USS Constitution served as a stationary training ship for the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was later moved to Newport, Rhode Island, to protect it from being captured by Confederate forces. The ship continues to be maintained and restored, with the Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston estimating that approximately 8-15% of the timber contains original material from its construction in the 1790s.
Despite the limited amount of original material, the USS Constitution remains a symbol of American maritime heritage and is designated as America's official "Ship of State." It has now seen service in four different centuries and is the only ship of state in the world. The ship's longevity and significance have earned it the title of "a Nation's ship," and it continues to be a popular attraction, drawing visitors from around the world.
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The ship was built using pine and oak, with some materials sourced from Georgia
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. The ship was built using pine and oak, with some materials sourced from Georgia.
The ship was constructed between 1794 and 1797, with its keel laid down on 1 November 1794 at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The primary materials used for its construction were pine and oak, including southern live oak sourced from Gascoigne Bluff in Georgia and milled near St. Simons Island. The use of live oak from Georgia is said to have contributed to the ship's strength and durability, earning it the nickname "Old Ironsides."
The hull of the USS Constitution was originally made of both white oak and live oak. The hull consisted of three layers, with the outer and inner horizontal layers crafted from white oak and the center vertical layer made of live oak. The live oak's density, at 75 pounds per cubic foot, made it heavier than water and most other common timbers. This heavy timber gave the ship its iron-like strength, allowing it to deflect cannonballs during the battle with HMS Guerriere in 1812.
In addition to the oak, different types of pine were also used in the construction of the USS Constitution. The ship's masts, cabinetry, millwork, and trim were crafted from Eastern white pine, which was abundant in the colonies at the time. Meanwhile, the ship's beams and decks were made of longleaf pine, sourced from South Carolina.
Over the years, the USS Constitution has undergone various repairs, restorations, and upgrades. During these processes, some of the original materials have been replaced. It is estimated that only 8-15% of the original material from the ship's building period remains today. Despite this, the ship is still considered an iconic piece of history, with visitors stepping aboard to experience its enduring grandeur.
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The ship's career began in 1798, when it sailed to the Caribbean to protect American merchant vessels
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It was launched in Boston in October 1797, making it the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.
The ship's career began in July 1798, when it sailed to the Caribbean to protect American merchant vessels. This was the first conflict to involve the U.S. Navy and came to be known as the Quasi-War with France. The USS Constitution was tasked with protecting American merchant vessels from French privateers, who had been stopping and capturing them. Under the command of Captain Silas Talbot, the ship remained at sea for 347 days out of 366, achieving several captures and making history with the first successful attempt at "underway replenishment". This involved trans-shipping supplies from a stores ship without entering a port, allowing the Constitution to remain at sea for extended periods.
The USS Constitution's mission in the Caribbean was a response to the vulnerable position of American merchant vessels following the disbandment of the Continental Navy in 1785. Without a naval presence, U.S. merchant ships became targets for harassment by the British and French in the Atlantic and the Caribbean during the 1790s. Additionally, Barbary Corsairs from North Africa captured American vessels and held them for ransom.
To address this threat, the U.S. Congress authorised the creation of a new navy in 1794, specifically for the "defence of commerce". Between 1794 and 1800, the Federal Government constructed six frigates, of which the USS Constitution was the third to be built. Designed by Joshua Humphreys, these frigates were larger, faster, and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the time. The USS Constitution was constructed using pine and oak, with some of the oak being sourced from Gascoigne Bluff in Georgia.
Today, the USS Constitution is estimated to retain only about 8-15% of its original material from its construction period (1794-1797). Despite this, it is still considered the same ship, a testament to its long and illustrious history.
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The ship has been restored multiple times, with the most recent restoration taking place between 2015 and 2017
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. The ship was launched in 1797 and has seen service in four different centuries. Over the years, the USS Constitution has undergone multiple restorations and repairs to preserve its structural integrity and historical significance.
One notable restoration period for the USS Constitution occurred between 2015 and 2017. This restoration project was undertaken by the U.S. Navy to showcase their commitment to preserving and promoting their maritime heritage. The project aimed to share the stories of the men and women who served aboard the warship for over 220 years. By restoring the ship, visitors could step aboard and connect directly with the early days of the U.S. Navy.
The USS Constitution has a long history of serving in various naval capacities. In its early years, the ship was tasked with protecting American merchant vessels from French privateers during the Quasi-War with France. It also played a role in defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. During the 1820s and 1830s, the ship regularly sailed to the Mediterranean Sea to protect American commerce.
In addition to its military duties, the USS Constitution has also served as a museum ship, attracting thousands of visitors each year. The ship underwent maintenance and upgrades during its time as a museum exhibit, including the installation of a forced-air heating system and a sprinkler system for fire protection.
The ship has undergone numerous restorations and repairs over the years, with the most recent one being between 2015 and 2017. These restoration efforts have ensured that the USS Constitution remains a floating testament to the history of the U.S. Navy and a source of pride for the nation.
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The ship has been designated as America's official Ship of State
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 built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The name "Constitution" was among ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering. Joshua Humphreys designed the frigates to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period. The USS Constitution's first duties were to provide protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and to defeat the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War.
In 1812, the USS Constitution was involved in the first frigate-to-frigate battle of the War of 1812 with HMS Guerriere. The British ship surrendered after 35 minutes, an unexpected victory for the young US Navy. In this battle, the USS Constitution earned the nickname "Old Ironsides" when an American sailor, witnessing some of the British cannonballs bounce off the ship's hull, reportedly shouted, "Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!" The USS Constitution repeated this feat in two more battles with the Royal Navy, a stunning record unequalled by any other warship in the US Navy.
Over the years, the USS Constitution has undergone various repairs and restorations. Estimates suggest that only about 8-15% of the original material from its construction remains. Despite this, the ship has always been considered the same, regardless of the amount of "original" material. In 2009, the USS Constitution was designated as America's official "Ship of State", the only ship of state in the world. This designation recognises the ship's long and illustrious career spanning four different centuries and its accumulation of superlatives, including being the oldest commissioned warship afloat globally and the only remaining frigate of the original six built.
The preservation and restoration of the USS Constitution, America's Ship of State, is a significant responsibility. The ship has undergone numerous upgrades over the years, including the installation of a forced-air heating system and a sprinkler system for fire protection. The ship typically performs a turnaround cruise each year, where it is towed into Boston Harbour to conduct demonstrations and then returns to its dock. The maintenance, repair, and restoration of the ship are managed by the Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston, which aims to maintain the vessel as close as possible to its 1812 configuration.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is estimated to retain 8-15% of its original material from its construction period (1794)1795-1797.
The ship's three-layered hull is made of exterior and interior white oak planking over dense live oak framing, with pine also used as a primary material.
The ship's keel was laid down on 1 November 1794, and it was launched in 1797. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.
The USS Constitution is significant as it is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat and is the only ship of state in the world. It has served in four different centuries and has been designated America's official "Ship of State".
