Malcolm Rivera
The USS Constitution is the only current active-duty ship in the US Navy that has sunk an enemy vessel in combat. It is also the only remaining frigate of the original six. The ship was launched in 1797 and has had a long and illustrious history. Despite suffering some deterioration over the years, the USS Constitution remains an active-duty U.S. Navy vessel and continues to cruise into Boston Harbor annually, providing an exciting glimpse into America's maritime heritage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current active-duty ship in the US Navy to have sunk an enemy vessel in combat | USS Constitution |
| Year of commissioning | 1797 |
| Sister ships | United States, Constellation |
| Year of retirement | N/A |
| Length | 304 feet |
| Displacement | 2,000 tons |
| Crew | 350 |
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What You'll Learn
The USS Constitution is the only active US Navy ship to have sunk an enemy vessel in combat
The Constitution has a long and illustrious history. It was one of the first ships built by the US Navy, and it played a significant role in the early years of the nation. The ship is famous for its durability and strength, which were attributed to its thick hull made of white oak. This durability was demonstrated in the battle with the Guerriere, where the Constitution emerged victorious despite facing heavy cannon fire.
In addition to its military achievements, the Constitution has also had a significant cultural impact. Its nickname, "Old Ironsides," has been shared by other notable entities, including the US Army’s 1st Armored Division. The ship has also been the subject of public campaigns and protests, with citizens working to preserve and restore it. In the 1900s, there were plans to use the ship for target practice, but a businessman named Moses H. Gulesian initiated a successful public campaign to restore the ship instead.
Today, the Constitution remains an active-duty US Navy vessel, cruising into Boston Harbor annually and offering public tours. It is a symbol of American maritime heritage and naval service, and its longevity and resilience continue to inspire and excite people. The ship's history and performance have also sparked debates about its significance, with some arguing that its achievements are overblown while others celebrate its speed, armament, and performance in battle.
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The ship was nearly used as target practice in 1905
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", is the only remaining ship in the US Navy to have sunk an enemy vessel in combat. The ship was launched in 1797 and was in service until 1881.
In 1905, the then Secretary of the Navy, Charles Joseph Bonaparte, suggested that the USS Constitution be towed out to sea and used as target practice. He proposed that the ship be allowed to sink after being used for target practice. This suggestion was met with widespread public outrage, and a businessman from Massachusetts named Moses H. Gulesian offered to purchase the ship for $10,000. Gulesian initiated a public campaign that began in Boston and quickly spread across the country. The public protests prompted Congress to authorize $100,000 (approximately $2.54 million in 2023) in 1906 for the ship's restoration.
The restoration process began with the removal of the barracks structure on the spar deck. However, due to limited funds, only a partial restoration could be completed. By 1907, the USS Constitution was serving as a museum ship, offering tours to the public. This marked a significant shift in the ship's purpose, as it transitioned from an active combat vessel to a source of historical education and preservation.
The USS Constitution has undergone multiple restorations and repairs over the years, with the final cost of rehabilitating the ship to pristine condition exceeding $946,000, equivalent to more than $15 million in today's dollars. Despite the challenges and deterioration it faced, the ship remains a beloved and famous symbol of American history, with a dedicated crew of active-duty Navy personnel.
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The USS Constitution was built with white oak
The USS Constitution is the only current active-duty ship in the US Navy to have sunk an enemy vessel in combat. The ship was built with white oak, a very good shipbuilding material for wooden ships, though it is in fairly short supply these days due to disease. The USS Constitution got its nickname, "Old Ironsides", because cannonballs bounced off the dense white oak of her hull during a sea battle with the British ship Guerriere in 1812.
White oak was also used in the construction of the ship's keel, which projects from the bottom of the vessel. The keel is made up of several layers of wood, including the white oak keel, live oak V-shaped floor timbers, and the white oak keelson. The keel structure is protected by a sacrificial "false keel", a six-inch layer of white oak attached to the bottom of the keel that acts as a bumper, absorbing impact if the ship runs aground. This was demonstrated when the Constitution ran aground off the south coast of England in January 1879, and 85 feet of the false keel ripped away, leaving the actual keel undamaged.
The USS Constitution has undergone several restorations over the years, including in 1927-1931, 1992-1996, and 2015-2017. During these restorations, live oak timbers were used to repair and replace rotted hull planks and other structural elements. Live oak, which is primarily found in the southeastern United States, is one of the most durable hardwoods and was specifically chosen by the principal designer of the six frigates, Joshua Humphreys, for its longevity. While live oak was more expensive to harvest and ship, Humphreys argued that it would last five times longer than white oak in the ships' hulls.
The USS Constitution's resilience and longevity are a testament to the quality of its construction, including the use of white oak in its keel and hull. Despite its age, the ship has survived storms, collisions, and groundings, and continues to be a beloved and historic vessel.
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The ship was renamed Old Constitution in 1917
The USS Constitution is a ship steeped in history. It is the only current active-duty ship in the US Navy to have sunk an enemy vessel in combat. The Constitution was launched in 1797 and attended by President John Adams and Massachusetts Governor Increase Sumner. The ship was constructed using white oak, a good material for building wooden ships. This proved to be effective in battle, as during a sea battle with the British ship Guerriere in 1812, cannonballs were seen bouncing off its hull. This earned it the nickname "Old Ironsides".
Despite its successes, by the early 1900s, the ship had fallen into disrepair. In 1905, there were even plans to use it as target practice. However, public outcry led by businessman Moses H. Gulesian prompted Congress to authorize funds for its restoration in 1906. The ship then served as a museum, offering tours to the public. On December 1, 1917, the ship was renamed Old Constitution to free its name for a planned new Lexington-class battlecruiser.
The name "Old Ironsides" continued to hold significance. The US Army's 1st Armored Division adopted it as their nickname, paying homage to the ship's resilience. The ship underwent further challenges, breaking loose from its dock during the New England Hurricane in 1938 and colliding with another ship, yet it sustained only minor damage. In 1940, it was recommissioned at the request of President Franklin Roosevelt.
Today, the USS Constitution remains an active-duty US Navy vessel, occasionally cruising into Boston Harbor and offering public tours. Its legacy is also preserved through the USS Constitution Museum, which shares details about the ship's history and ongoing role. The ship's long and illustrious career, spanning over two centuries, stands as a testament to its enduring significance in American maritime history.
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The vessel is currently maintained by a small crew
The USS Constitution is an active-duty U.S. Navy vessel that is currently maintained by a small crew. The ship has a rich history dating back to its launch in 1797. Despite being one of the oldest ships in the U.S. Navy, the USS Constitution has seen many upgrades and restorations over the years to keep it in good condition.
In the 1950s, the ship's heating system was upgraded to a forced-air system, and a sprinkler system was installed to protect it from fire. These improvements ensured the crew's comfort and safety while living and working on the ship.
The USS Constitution has had several close calls and encounters throughout its long history. During the New England Hurricane in 1938, the ship broke loose from its dock and collided with the destroyer Ralph Talbot in Boston Harbor, sustaining only minor damage. This incident highlights the ship's resilience and sturdy construction.
The USS Constitution has also undergone several changes in its purpose and function. In 1941, it served as a brig for officers awaiting court-martial, and it was later renamed Old Constitution in 1917 to free up its name for a new Lexington-class battlecruiser.
Today, the USS Constitution continues to be an active vessel, cruising into Boston Harbor annually and offering public tours as a museum ship. It is a testament to American maritime heritage and naval service, with a dedicated crew ensuring its maintenance and preservation for future generations.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the USS Constitution is not the only ship to sink. It is, however, the only current active-duty ship in the US Navy to have sunk an enemy vessel in combat.
Yes, in 1905, Secretary of the Navy Charles Joseph Bonaparte suggested that the USS Constitution be used as target practice and then sunk. This plan was abandoned after a businessman from Worcester, Massachusetts, offered to purchase the ship.
Congress authorized $100,000 for the ship's restoration in 1906, and it began serving as a museum ship, offering tours to the public.
