Omar Bennett
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 designed by Joshua Humphreys to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of its time. It was launched in 1797 in Boston, Massachusetts, and is currently berthed at Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. The USS Constitution has a rich history, including victories in the War of 1812 against several British warships, and has undergone multiple reconstructions and recommissions over the years. While I cannot confirm if this is the same frigate in NYC South Port, the USS Constitution is indeed a significant and historic frigate with a long legacy in the United States Navy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | USS Constitution, Old Ironsides, Old Constitution |
| Description | Three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate |
| Navy | United States Navy |
| Builder | Joshua Humphreys |
| Shipyard | Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts |
| Length | 204 ft (62 m) |
| Width | 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m) |
| Hull thickness | 21 inches (530 mm) |
| Guns | Rated as a 44-gun frigate, often carried more than 50 guns |
| Crew | Active-duty US Navy personnel |
| Commander | Navy Commander |
| Berth | Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard |
| Launched | 1797 |
| Commissioned | 1794 |
| Decommissioned | 1881 |
| Museum ship | Designated in 1907 |
| Reconstruction | 1870, 1925, 1931, 1995, 2015 |
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What You'll Learn
- The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat
- Joshua Humphreys designed the USS Constitution to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates
- The USS Constitution was rated as a 44-gun frigate but often carried more than 50 guns
- The USS Constitution was victorious in battle against three British warships during the War of 1812
- The USS Constitution was retired from active service in 1881 and designated a museum ship in 1907
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. It was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and the third to be constructed. Joshua Humphreys designed the frigates to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period, with the knowledge that the fledgling United States could not match the European states in terms of the size of their navies. The USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts. Its hull was built 21 inches (530 mm) thick, and its length between perpendiculars was 175 ft (53 m), with a 204 ft (62 m) length overall and a width of 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m). In total, 60 acres (24 ha) of trees were needed for its construction, with primary materials consisting of pine and oak.
The USS Constitution was originally rated as a 44-gun frigate, but it often carried more than 50 guns at a time. Its 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. The ship is most noted for its actions during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom, when it captured numerous British merchantmen and five warships: HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane, and Levant. Its capture of Guerriere earned it the nickname "Old Ironsides", adding to the public adoration that had repeatedly saved it from scrapping.
The USS Constitution continued to serve as a flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons, and it circled the world in the 1840s. During the American Civil War, the ship served as a training vessel for the United States Naval Academy. The ship was retired from active service in 1881 and served as a receiving ship until being designated a museum ship in 1907. In 1934, it completed a three-year, 90-port tour of the nation. In 1992, the ship underwent a comprehensive structural restoration and repair, during which it was determined that roughly 10% of the ship is still original timber.
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Joshua Humphreys designed the USS Constitution to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates
Humphreys, a Philadelphia Quaker, believed that a young country with limited resources should focus on building ships big enough to outfight anything of their type and fast enough to escape anything stronger. He convinced Congress that the new Navy should be made up of large, heavily built, and armed frigates. His design aimed for speed, manoeuvrability, and greater firepower than the European navies of the time.
The USS Constitution was rated as a 44-gun frigate but often carried more than 50 guns at a time. Humphreys' design was unusual for the time, being deep, long on the keel, narrow in beam (width), and mounting very heavy guns. The design included diagonal riders intended to restrict hogging and sagging while giving the ships extremely heavy planking, which gave the hull greater strength than a more lightly built frigate. The ship's keel was laid down on 1 November 1794 at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson.
The USS Constitution was built during the formative years of the United States Navy, along with five other frigates. Humphreys was the principal architect of these original six frigates, and his design called for ships powerful enough to engage any frigates of the French or British navies, yet fast enough to evade any ship of the line. The USS Constitution was the third of these six frigates to be constructed, after the United States and Constellation.
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The USS Constitution was rated as a 44-gun frigate but often carried more than 50 guns
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. Joshua Humphreys designed the frigates to be larger, faster, and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period. The USS Constitution was rated as a 44-gun frigate but often carried more than 50 guns.
During this era, ships did not have permanent batteries of guns like modern Navy ships. The guns and cannons were designed to be portable and were often exchanged between ships depending on the situation. Each commanding officer outfitted armaments according to their preferences and considerations such as the weight of stores, personnel aboard, and planned routes. As a result, armaments changed frequently, and records of these changes were rarely kept.
The USS Constitution's armaments varied throughout its career. In a letter dated November 14, 1804, the ship is listed as having 52 guns, including 30 24-pounders, 14 12-pounders, and 8 32-pounder carronades. During the War of 1812, the ship typically carried around 54 guns, including 24 32-pound carronades on the spar deck, a long 18-pound "chase" gun forward, and 30 24-pound long guns on the gun deck.
The USS Constitution's guns have been removed, restored, and replaced multiple times over the years. During her 100th birthday in 1897, the ship no longer carried any guns. Replica guns were created for the ship during the 1906-1907 and 1927-1931 restorations. The present guns were cast during the 1927-1931 restoration, except for two 1812-era replica carronades added to the after quarter deck in 1981.
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The USS Constitution was victorious in battle against three British warships during the War of 1812
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 played a pivotal role in the War of 1812, emerging victorious against three British warships.
The War of 1812 marked a significant conflict between the United States and Great Britain, leaving a lasting impact on the emergence of Canada as an independent nation and shaping the relationship between the two powers. The USS Constitution distinguished itself in several naval engagements during this war, showcasing its superior design and capabilities.
One of the most notable battles involving the USS Constitution during the War of 1812 was its encounter with HMS Guerriere. This battle took place about 400 miles southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on August 19, 1812. The USS Constitution, commanded by Captain Isaac Hull, faced off against the British-captured frigate HMS Guerriere, which was under the command of Captain James Richard Dacres. Despite the Guerriere's confidence, the Constitution's superior firepower, structural strength, and larger crew gave it a decisive advantage. During the exchange of broadsides, the Guerriere's masts were felled, and the ship was left in a sinking condition. The Constitution's crew took the British sailors onboard and set the Guerriere ablaze before returning to Boston, their victory boosting American morale.
In another engagement, the USS Constitution took on two smaller British ships, HMS Cyane and HMS Levant, off the coast of Madeira, Spain. Outfitted with 52 guns, the Constitution began exchanging fire with the 24-gun HMS Cyane and the 18-gun HMS Levant. This battle showcased brilliant seamanship and tactics and further solidified the reputation of the USS Constitution.
The USS Constitution's victories against British warships during the War of 1812 had a profound impact on both sides. The British Admiralty, recognising the prowess of American frigates, decreed that their warships would no longer engage American frigates in single combat. The USS Constitution's successes also contributed to the emergence of new American heroes, inspired patriotic sentiments, and left a lasting legacy in the naval history of the United States.
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The USS Constitution was retired from active service in 1881 and designated a museum ship in 1907
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is one of the six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and was launched in 1797. Joshua Humphreys designed the frigates to be larger, more heavily armed, and faster than the standard frigates of the period. This was because the fledgling United States could not match the European states in the size of their navies. The USS Constitution was rated as a 44-gun frigate but often carried more than 50 guns.
The USS Constitution served actively in the United States Navy until 1881 when it was retired from active service. The ship was decommissioned due to a lack of funds for another overhaul, ending its days as an active-duty naval ship. From 1881 to 1907, the USS Constitution served as a receiving ship at the Portsmouth Navy Yard. During this time, a housing structure was built over its spar deck, and its condition deteriorated due to a lack of maintenance.
In 1896, Massachusetts Congressman John F. Fitzgerald proposed to Congress that funds be appropriated to restore the ship and return it to Boston. These efforts, along with a public campaign started by businessman Moses H. Gulesian, led to Congress authorizing funds for the ship's restoration in 1906. By 1907, the USS Constitution was restored and designated a museum ship, with tours offered to the public.
Today, the USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. It is still in commission and is open to visitors year-round, with free tours provided by its crew of 75 officers and sailors. The ship's stated mission is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through educational outreach, historical demonstration, and active participation in public events.
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Frequently asked questions
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 launched on October 21, 1797. It was one of the six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and was the third constructed.
Joshua Humphreys designed the USS Constitution and its sister ships to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period.
The USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts.
The USS Constitution is currently berthed at Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard, at one end of Boston's Freedom Trail.
