Isabella Carter
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a wooden-hulled frigate of the United States Navy. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. The USS Constitution was built in 1797 and was one of the original six frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The ship was constructed at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, and was designed to be larger and more heavily armed than the standard frigates of the period. The USS Constitution holds a significant place in American history, particularly for its role in protecting American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and its victories in the War of 1812. On the eve of the Civil War, the USS Constitution was nearly decommissioned and scrapped, but it was saved by a poem titled Old Ironsides, written by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. The poem stirred national sentiment and led to efforts to preserve the historic warship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Poem | "Old Ironsides" |
| Author of the poem | Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. |
| Year of poem's publication | 1830 |
| Age of the author when the poem was written | 21 |
| Poem's subject | The USS Constitution |
| Poem's effect | The poem saved the USS Constitution from being decommissioned and scrapped |
| The USS Constitution's nickname | Old Ironsides |
| The USS Constitution's construction | Built in 1797, it is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat |
| Construction materials | Live oak, white oak, Douglas fir, pine, and southern live oak |
| Construction cost | $302,000 |
| Construction location | Edmund Hartt's Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts |
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What You'll Learn
USS Constitution's impending decommission
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, was launched in 1797 and is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. Built at Edmund Hartt's Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, the ship's construction cost around $302,000. The USS Constitution was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and was designed to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period.
In the early 19th century, the USS Constitution played a crucial role in protecting American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and in defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. However, by the 1830s, the ship was facing decommissioning. On September 14, 1830, an article in the Boston Advertiser claimed that the Navy intended to scrap the USS Constitution. This prompted Oliver Wendell Holmes, a student at Harvard Medical School, to write a poem titled "Old Ironsides" in defence of the warship.
Holmes' poem struck a chord with the public and sparked a movement to save the USS Constitution from the scrapyard. The Navy approved the necessary repair costs, and the ship underwent a leisurely restoration process. Despite periodic surveys finding the ship in need of repairs, the USS Constitution remained in service, even serving as a brig for officers awaiting court-martial in 1941. After World War II, the ship was opened to the public free of charge and continued to receive maintenance and repairs.
Today, the USS Constitution remains a symbol of American naval history and is still commissioned by the United States Navy. While it is no longer in active service, the ship undergoes regular maintenance and is open to visitors, with guided tours provided by a crew of sailors. The impending decommission of the USS Constitution in the 1830s was averted by public sentiment and the enduring legacy of Oliver Wendell Holmes' poem, ensuring that the ship continues to serve as a reminder of America's maritime past.
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Oliver Wendell Holmes' poem, 'Old Ironsides'
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. wrote the poem "Old Ironsides" on September 16, 1830, as a tribute to the USS Constitution, an 18th-century frigate of the United States Navy. The poem played a crucial role in saving the ship from being decommissioned and scrapped. At the time, the USS Constitution was facing plans for dismantlement due to deterioration and limited funds for upkeep.
> "Aye tear her tattered ensign down
Long has it waved on high,
And many an eye has danced to see
That banner in the sky;
Beneath it rung the battle shout,
And burst the cannon's roar;—
The meteor of the ocean air
Shall sweep the clouds no more."
The poem captures the glory and valor associated with the USS Constitution, affectionately nicknamed "Old Ironsides" during the War of 1812. The ship earned this nickname due to the strength of its live oak wood construction, which could withstand the impact of British cannonballs.
The publication of "Old Ironsides" ignited public sentiment and spurred efforts to preserve the historic warship. The Navy quickly approved repairs, and the USS Constitution underwent restoration in Boston's Charlestown Navy Yard. The poem's impact extended beyond the ship's preservation, as it also contributed to the USS Constitution's enduring legacy.
Today, the USS Constitution holds the distinction of being the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. It continues to be a symbol of American naval history and a testament to the power of poetry and public sentiment in shaping a nation's heritage. The efforts to save "Old Ironsides" showcase the ability of art to inspire action and preserve the past for future generations.
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The USS Constitution's history
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. The ship was launched in 1797, one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The name "Constitution" was among ten names submitted to President George Washington for the frigates that were to be constructed. Joshua Humphreys designed the frigates 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. 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 USS Constitution earned the nickname "Old Ironsides" during the War of 1812 after its naval battle with HMS Guerriere. The ship saw action in the Quasi-War, the First Barbary War, the Battle of Tripoli Harbor, and the Battle of Derne before it earned its famous nickname. The nickname was given to the ship because the live oak wood used in its construction was so strong that 18-pound British cannonballs bounced off the hull.
In the 19th century, the USS Constitution was set to be decommissioned and broken into scrap. However, it was saved by a poem titled "Old Ironsides," written by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. in 1830. The poem stirred the nation and resulted in the Navy ordering the ship to be repaired. The USS Constitution underwent extensive repairs and upgrades over the years, including during the late 1920s and early 1930s, and again in the 1940s.
After World War II, the USS Constitution remained at its berth in the Boston Navy Yard and was open to the public free of charge. It continued to undergo maintenance and repairs and was designated as the symbolic flagship of the United States fleet during World War II. Today, the USS Constitution is a historic ship and a popular tourist attraction, offering guided tours to visitors and serving as a reminder of the early days of the United States Navy.
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The USS Constitution's restoration
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest naval warship still afloat. The ship was launched in 1797 and is 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, under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson. The USS Constitution was designed with a thick hull made from live oak wood, which was so strong that 18-pound British cannonballs bounced off during the War of 1812, earning it the nickname "Old Ironsides".
Despite its storied history, the USS Constitution faced the threat of decommissioning and scrapping in the early 19th century. On September 14, 1830, an article in the Boston Advertiser claimed that the Navy intended to scrap the ship. This prompted a swift response from the public, with prominent figures advocating for its preservation. Among them was Oliver Wendell Holmes, a student at Harvard Medical School, who penned the poem "Old Ironsides" in honour of the warship. The poem resonated across the nation, igniting a movement to save the USS Constitution from destruction.
The poem "Old Ironsides" by Oliver Wendell Holmes played a pivotal role in rallying public support for the preservation of the USS Constitution. The verses captured the nation's imagination, stirring emotions and evoking a sense of pride in the ship's rich history. The impact of the poem extended beyond literary appreciation, as it influenced policy decisions and prompted official action. The Navy heeded the calls for the ship's restoration, approving the necessary costs for repairs.
The restoration process of the USS Constitution commenced with a sense of urgency, as the Navy ordered the repairs to be carried out "with as little delay as practicable." The ship entered the newly constructed dry dock in Boston's Charlestown Navy Yard, where it underwent extensive refurbishment. Lieutenant John A. Lord supervised the restoration from 1927 to 1931, sourcing wood from various parts of the country to restore the ship to its former glory. The public's enthusiasm for the project remained high, with throngs of Bostonians and dignitaries gathering to witness the ship's entry into the dry dock.
Today, the USS Constitution remains a testament to the power of preservation and the enduring value of historical artefacts. Through the collective efforts of passionate individuals like Oliver Wendell Holmes and dedicated restoration teams, the ship has been saved from the brink of destruction. The USS Constitution continues to inspire and educate, serving as a living museum and a reminder of the nation's maritime heritage.
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The USS Constitution's legacy
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat, having been launched in 1797. The USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, with pine and oak sourced from various states. The ship's construction cost about $302,000, and it was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The USS Constitution was designed by Joshua Humphreys to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period, with a hull built 21 inches thick.
The USS Constitution's early duties included providing protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. The ship also saw action in the Battle of Tripoli Harbour and the Battle of Derne before earning its famous nickname, Old Ironsides, during the War of 1812. This nickname was given to the frigate after its naval battle with HMS Guerriere, where the ship's strong live oak wood hull caused 18-pound British cannonballs to bounce off.
After the War of 1812, the USS Constitution was celebrated for its victories but was laid up in Boston as it was not needed. The ship underwent extensive repairs and eventually served in the Mediterranean, protecting trade routes and American diplomatic interests. During this time, the USS Constitution's strategic presence helped prevent the eruption of a broader Mediterranean conflict during Greece's struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire.
In the 1830s, the USS Constitution faced the threat of being decommissioned and scrapped. However, it was saved by a widely published poem titled "Old Ironsides," written by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. The poem stirred national sentiment and led to efforts to repair and preserve the historic ship. As a result of these conservation endeavours, the USS Constitution remains afloat today and is a symbol of American naval history.
In the 20th century, the USS Constitution underwent further repairs and recommissioning, serving various roles during World War II. After the war, the ship remained at its berth in the Boston Navy Yard, open to the public free of charge. The United States Postal Service issued a stamp commemorating the USS Constitution in 1947, and an Act of Congress in 1954 designated the Secretary of the Navy responsible for the ship's upkeep. Today, the USS Constitution continues to be a source of pride and a testament to the enduring legacy of American naval power.
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Frequently asked questions
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. was an American writer, poet, and doctor. He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1809 and was dean of Harvard Medical School, where he taught Anatomy, Pathology, and Physiology for 35 years.
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.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. wrote a poem titled "Old Ironsides" as a tribute to the USS Constitution. The poem was written to save the ship from being decommissioned and scrapped.
The poem stirred the nation and successfully saved the USS Constitution from being scrapped. The Navy quickly ordered the ship repaired and it underwent restoration in Boston's Charlestown Navy Yard. The USS Constitution is now the oldest commissioned ship in the world that is still afloat.
