Eleanor Finch
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 constructed between 1794 and 1797. The ship's main mast, from the spar deck to the top of the mast, is 172 feet (54.4 meters) tall. The main top of the mast weighs 10,000 pounds and is 21 feet wide and 15 feet 4 inches deep. The masts, yards, and fighting tops of the USS Constitution are made of wood and are regularly repaired and replaced.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height of Main Mast | 172 ft (54.4 m) |
| Height of Lower Mainmast (original) | 105 ft |
| Height of Lower Mainmast (after 1801 retrofit) | 101 ft |
| Width of Main Top | 21 ft |
| Depth of Main Top | 15 ft 4 in |
| Weight of Main Top | 10,000 lbs |
| Material of Masts | Eastern white pine |
| Material of Hull | Live oak and white oak |
| Length Overall | 305 ft (93 m) |
| Length (billet head to taffrail) | 207 ft (63.1 m) |
| Length at Waterline | 175 ft (53.3 m) |
| Width | 43.5 ft (13.26 m) |
| Displacement | Over 1,900 tons of water |
| Sailing Speed (1812) | 13 knots (15 mph) |
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What You'll Learn
The USS Constitution's main mast is 172 feet tall
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 ship's main mast is an impressive 172 feet (54.4 meters) tall, and it has undergone several repairs and replacements over the years. The USS Constitution's main mast, top mast, and rigging have required regular maintenance and restoration work due to the wooden construction's susceptibility to decay.
The USS Constitution's main mast is an essential part of the ship's structure and functionality. It supports the rigging and sails, contributing to the ship's impressive sail area. The main mast's height and strength are crucial in balancing the ship and withstanding the forces of the wind and waves.
The main mast also played a vital role in the ship's defence system. During the War of 1812 era, the USS Constitution's main mast supported fighting tops, which provided a strategic advantage in battles. The height of the main mast allowed lookouts to spot enemy ships or hazards from a distance, enhancing the ship's ability to evade or engage as needed.
The USS Constitution's main mast, standing at 172 feet, is a testament to the ship's historical significance and the ingenuity of its design. The ongoing maintenance and restoration of this iconic frigate ensure that future generations can appreciate and learn from this remarkable piece of naval history.
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The ship's masts were originally made of Eastern white pine
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 ship's masts, cabinetry, millwork, and trim were originally made of Eastern white pine, a tree that was abundant in the colonies.
The USS Constitution was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794, and its design called for a much larger ship than standard frigates of the period. The ship was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, and its construction required 60 acres of trees. The primary materials consisted of pine and oak, with the ship's beams and decks made of longleaf pine from South Carolina.
The masts of the USS Constitution were originally made of Eastern white pine, which was a suitable choice due to the tree's straightness and strength. The masts were composed of three large sticks: the lower mast, the topmast, and the top gallant/royal. The design called for more than 900 lineal feet of large, straight, high-quality pine and spruce, and a stock of replacement spars and other timber was always kept on board.
The Eastern white pine used for the masts was sourced from the Maine woods, and several individuals prominent in the ship's career were also from Maine. The use of pine proved advantageous during combat, as the ship's carpenters were able to pry cannonballs out of the masts that remained standing. The durability of the Eastern white pine masts contributed to the USS Constitution's longevity and its status as the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.
Over time, the USS Constitution underwent extensive repairs and restorations, including receiving new masts, sails, and rigging. During its 1992-1996 restoration, riggers followed late 18th and early 19th-century rigging techniques to recreate the original rigging mouses that secured the diagonal stays between the masts. The ship's current main mast, from the spar deck to the top, stands at 172 feet tall.
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The main top of the lower main mast was removed in 2023
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.
In 2023, the ship underwent repairs and maintenance, with a focus on its main mast. The main top of the lower main mast was removed on June 27, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the restoration process. This complex task was carried out by NHHC Detachment Boston riggers Ryan Whitehead and Daniel MacLean, who employed a combination of lifting straps and chain falls to smoothly lift the top off the lower main mast.
The main top of the lower main mast is a crucial component of the ship's structure. Weighing 10,000 pounds and measuring 21 feet wide and 15 feet 4 inches deep, it presented a considerable challenge due to its size and weight. The removal process required careful planning and the expertise of skilled riggers to ensure a safe and successful outcome.
The main top's removal was part of a comprehensive restoration project for the USS Constitution. The ship's main mast, fighting top, top mast, and rigging required extensive repairs and replacements. The process began with down-rigging, which started in late 2022 and involved the removal of most of the running rigging attached to the main mast. The main top mast, upper standing rigging, and shrouds of the lower mast were also removed between April and early June 2023.
The restoration work on the USS Constitution's main mast is expected to continue through 2023 and into early 2024. The project includes the installation of a new main top mast, the repair or replacement of the main fighting top, and updates to the rigging. These efforts are undertaken by the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Detachment Boston, a dedicated team committed to preserving this iconic warship.
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The USS Constitution's masts came from the Maine woods
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 was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. It was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The USS Constitution is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy.
The USS Constitution's masts, cabinetry, millwork, and trim were originally made of Eastern white pine. This tree was abundant in the colonies, but the masts for the ship specifically came from the Maine woods. The ship needed large masts to support a large sail area, which was necessary to out-sail larger two-deckers that could easily destroy her in close engagements. The lower mainmast of the USS Constitution was 105 feet, but this was shortened to 101 feet in an 1801 retrofit as the ship was deemed "overmasted".
The main mast, from the spar (upper) deck to the top of the mast, is 172 feet (54.4 meters) tall. The main top was manufactured by the Detachment Boston in 2001 and repaired in 2008-2010. However, it was removed in June 2023 as part of ongoing work on the ship's main mast, fighting top, top mast, and rigging. The main top weighed 10,000 pounds and was 21 feet wide and 15 feet 4 inches deep.
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The ship's masts, like the rest of the ship, are made of wood and subject to decay
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 ship's masts, like the rest of the ship, are made of wood and are therefore subject to decay. The main mast, from the spar deck to the top of the mast, is 172 feet (54.4 meters) tall. The ship's rigging originally consisted of canvas ropes with mouses—lumps of line and canvas built up on the outside of the diagonal stays that run between the masts. In the War of 1812 era, a frigate such as the USS Constitution would have carried between 40 and 50 miles of rigging.
The ship's masts, yards, and fighting tops must be repaired and replaced regularly. Work on the USS Constitution's main mast has been ongoing, with the last and biggest of the mast's yards removed in March 2023. The main top mast, upper standing rigging, and shrouds of the lower mast were all removed between April and early June 2023. The main top, weighing 10,000 pounds and measuring 21 feet wide and 15 feet 4 inches deep, is being repaired and restored under a large tent.
The USS Constitution's masts originally came from the Maine woods. The ship required large masts and spars to support its very large sail area of more than an acre of canvas. The lower mainmast was originally 105 feet but was shortened by four feet in an 1801 retrofit. The ship's first commanders reported that the ship was "overmasted."
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Frequently asked questions
The main mast of the USS Constitution is 172 feet (54.4 meters) tall.
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy and the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.
The masts of the USS Constitution came from the Maine woods.
The USS Constitution has three masts.
