Jonah Patel
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 naval warship still afloat. It was launched in 1797 and was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The USS Constitution was designed to overpower any other frigate while escaping from a ship of the line. The ship's hull was built 21 inches thick and its length between perpendiculars was 175 ft, with a 204 ft length overall and a width of 43 ft 6 in. The USS Constitution has undergone several repairs and renovations over the years to maintain its condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 21 October 1797 |
| Type | Three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate |
| Length | 204 ft (62 m) |
| Width | 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m) |
| Hull thickness | 21 inches (530 mm) |
| Speed | 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) |
| Crew | 30 sailors |
| Cost | $302,000 |
| Current location | Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston |
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What You'll Learn
The USS Constitution is the world's oldest 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 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, and the third to be constructed. 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 was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts. Its hull was built 21 inches thick and its length between perpendiculars was 175 ft, with a 204 ft length overall and a width of 43 ft 6 inches. In total, 60 acres of trees, primarily pine and oak, were needed for its construction.
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. The ship is most noted for its actions during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom, capturing numerous British merchantmen and five warships, including HMS Guerriere, which earned her the nickname "Old Ironsides". The USS Constitution continued to serve as a flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons and circled the world in the 1840s. During the American Civil War, she served as a training ship for the United States Naval Academy.
The USS Constitution was retired from active service in 1881 and was decommissioned, ending her days as an active-duty naval ship. However, she was recommissioned in 1940 at the request of President Franklin Roosevelt. After World War II, the ship remained at her berth in the Boston Navy Yard and was open to the public free of charge. The privately-run USS Constitution Museum opened on 8 April 1976, and Commander Martin dedicated a tract of land as "Constitution Grove" one month later, located at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indiana. This grove supplies the majority of the white oak required for the ship's repair work.
The USS Constitution has undergone several restorations over the years, with funds raised from various sources, including donations from schoolchildren and sponsorship from the national Elks Lodge. In 1997, the ship sailed under her own power for her 200th birthday, and again in August 2012 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of her victory over HMS Guerriere. The ship remains afloat today and is a testament to the history of naval warfare and the perseverance of those who have worked to preserve her.
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It was designed to overpower frigates, not ships of the line
USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It was launched in 1797 and is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. Joshua Humphreys designed the USS Constitution and its sister ships to be larger, more heavily armed, and more powerful than the standard frigates of the period.
The frigate's design was influenced by the realization that the fledgling United States could not match the naval might of European states. As a result, the USS Constitution was designed to overpower other frigates while being able to escape from a ship of the line. This design philosophy reflects the understanding that while the young Navy could not compete with the size and strength of European ships of the line, they could still field powerful frigates capable of outperforming their European counterparts.
The USS Constitution's hull was built with a thickness of 21 inches, utilizing materials such as pine and oak. Its length between perpendiculars was 175 feet, with an overall length of 204 feet and a width of 43 feet 6 inches. The ship's oak sides earned it the nickname "Old Ironsides" during its encounter with the British frigate Guerriere in 1812, when British shots were seen to bounce off its sturdy hull.
While the USS Constitution was designed to overpower frigates, it is important to note that it was not solely focused on frigate engagements. Its design also emphasized escape capabilities, ensuring it could avoid direct confrontations with ships of the line. This strategy aligned with the young Navy's understanding of their position relative to the naval power of European states.
In summary, the USS Constitution was designed to be a powerful frigate, outperforming other frigates of its time while also possessing the agility to escape from more formidable ships of the line. This design philosophy was a pragmatic approach given the limitations of the fledgling United States Navy in comparison to the naval forces of European powers.
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It was launched in 1797, one of six original frigates
USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It was launched in 1797 and is one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The keel of the USS Constitution was laid down on 1 November 1794 at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The frigate was built using pine and oak, including southern live oak sourced from Gascoigne Bluff and milled near St. Simons Island, Georgia. The construction of the ship required 60 acres of trees, and the labour of enslaved workers who harvested the oak.
The USS Constitution was designed by Joshua Humphreys to be a powerful ship for the young Navy. As a result, it was larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period. The ship's hull was built to be 21 inches thick, with a length of 204 feet and a width of 43 feet 6 inches. It was the third ship to be constructed out of the six original frigates. The name "Constitution" was selected by President George Washington from a list of ten names submitted by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering.
The USS Constitution served as the Navy's capital ship, providing protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat and is currently berthed at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Massachusetts. The ship is open to visitors year-round, with the nearby USS Constitution Museum offering educational outreach, historic demonstrations, and participation in public events.
Over the years, the USS Constitution has undergone repairs and restoration work, with the majority of the white oak required for these efforts sourced from a 25,000-acre tract of land dedicated as "Constitution Grove" in Indiana. The ship remains in commission and is assigned a commanding officer and crew to perform maintenance and provide guided tours.
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It was built at Edmund Hartt's Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts
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 in 1797 and was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. It was the third ship to be constructed.
The USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, in the North End of the city, near the present Coast Guard base. The keel was laid down on 1 November 1794 under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson, master shipwright Colonel George Claghorn, and Foreman Prince Athearn of the Martha's Vineyard Athearns. The hull of the USS Constitution was built 21 inches (530 mm) thick, and its length between perpendiculars was 175 ft (53 m), with an overall length of 204 ft (62 m) and a width of 43 ft 6 inches (13.26 m). An enormous amount of wood was required for its construction, with 60 acres (24 ha) of trees needed in total. The primary materials consisted of pine and oak, with southern live oak being sourced from Gascoigne Bluff and milled near St. Simons Island, Georgia. Unfortunately, enslaved workers were used to harvest the oak used for the ship's construction.
Edmund Hartt (1744-1824) was a master carpenter and owned the shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to the USS Constitution, he also built the USS Boston (1799), USS Argus (1803), and USS Independence (1814). Hartt and his descendants lived in "Hartt House" at 24-26 Hull Street in Boston, and he is buried at Copp's Hill Burying Ground in the city. His son, Samuel Hartt, was also a prominent shipbuilder for the U.S. Navy, building the Navy's first steamship and ironclad ships.
The USS Constitution is now berthed at Pier One of the former Charlestown Navy Yard, at the terminus of Boston's Freedom Trail, and is open to the public year-round. The nearby privately-run USS Constitution Museum is located in a restored shipyard building at the foot of Pier Two. The ship typically makes at least one "turnaround cruise" each year, where it is towed into Boston Harbor to perform demonstrations, including a gun drill, before returning to its dock.
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It was nicknamed Old Ironsides by American sailors
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 nickname "Old Ironsides" was earned by the ship during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom, when it captured five warships, including HMS Guerriere. The capture of Guerriere was particularly notable, as many of Guerriere's shots rebounded off Constitution's hull, leading to an American sailor exclaiming, "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!". This victory earned her the nickname "Old Ironsides", along with public adoration that helped save her from scrapping.
The unique construction of the USS Constitution made it a formidable and powerful ship. The heavy oak timber used for the hull had a density of 75 pounds per cubic foot, making it heavier than water and most other common timbers. The huge internal braces of the ship were cut in solid pieces from individual trees, rather than being compositely joined on-site. This made the ship exceptionally strong and durable, as demonstrated by the capture of Guerriere.
The USS Constitution was built in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1797. It was one of the first of the original six frigates that made up the US Navy, carrying 44 guns and a crew of over 450. During the War of 1812, the Constitution won several important victories over the British, demonstrating the strength of the young American Navy. The ship's designer, Joshua Humphreys, intended for the Constitution and her sister ships to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period, capable of overpowering any other frigate while escaping from a ship of the line.
The nickname "Old Ironsides" has endured as a symbol of American naval power and history. The ship remains in commission as a US Navy warship, open for tours in Boston. It continues to be a source of inspiration, with the US Army's 1st Armored Division adopting the nickname "Old Ironsides" in 1940. The USS Constitution is a national treasure, offering a tangible link to the early years of the US Navy and the nation as a whole.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the USS Constitution is a frigate.
A ship of the line is a large and powerful ship, typically with multiple decks, used in naval warfare during the age of sail. They were the most powerful type of ship in a navy's fleet.
A frigate is a smaller and faster type of warship, typically with a single deck. Frigates were often used for scouting, raiding, and protecting merchant ships.
Yes, the USS Constitution is the only "active" US Navy ship to have sunk another ship in combat. It also achieved several other victories, including over the British frigate Guerriere in 1812, which earned it the nickname "Old Ironsides".
