Eleanor Finch
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. Launched in 1797, the USS Constitution was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The ship's hull was built 21 inches thick and its length between perpendiculars was 175 feet. In 1941, the USS Constitution was assigned the hull classification symbol IX-21 and began to serve as a brig for officers awaiting court-martial. In 2015, the ship underwent a two-year restoration program to restore its copper sheets and replace deck boards.
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What You'll Learn
USS Constitution's hull classification
The 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 was the third 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, who signed the Act to provide a Naval Armament in March 1794, creating the new United States Navy.
The USS Constitution was designed by Joshua Humphreys to be larger and more heavily armed and built than standard frigates of the period. Her keel was laid down on November 1, 1794, at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson, master shipwright Colonel George Claghorn, and Foreman Prince Athearn of Martha's Vineyard Atheams. Constitution's hull was built 21 inches (530 mm) thick, with a length between perpendiculars of 175 feet (53 meters) and an overall length of 204 feet (62 meters). The hull's design included a diagonal scantling (rib) scheme that restricted hogging while allowing for extremely heavy planking, resulting in greater strength than that of a more lightly built frigate.
In early 1941, the USS Constitution was assigned the hull classification symbol IX-21 and served as a brig for officers awaiting court-martial. This hull classification was officially canceled in September 1975.
The USS Constitution underwent a two-year restoration program beginning in May 2015, which included restoring the copper sheets on the ship's hull and replacing deck boards. The restoration cost $12-15 million and was funded by the Department of the Navy. After the restoration, the ship was returned to the water in July 2017 and continues to be maintained by a dedicated crew, with Commander John Benda serving as the commanding officer as of February 2020.
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Hull's Victory
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 1941, the USS Constitution was assigned the hull classification symbol IX-21 and served as a brig for officers awaiting court-martial. In 1975, this hull classification was officially cancelled.
The USS Constitution has undergone numerous refits, rebuilds, overhauls, and restorations throughout its more than 220-year career. For example, in 1801, after her service in the Quasi-War with France, the ship underwent an extensive refit with stern work and new copper sheathing made by Paul Revere. Later, in 1819, Isaac Hull, a young lieutenant during the Quasi-War and the ship's captain during the War of 1812, wrote about further repairs to the ship, stating that "every beam in her was new, and all the ceilings under the orlops were found rotten, and her plank outside from the water's edge to the gunwale were taken off and new put on."
One of the most famous engagements of the USS Constitution in American naval history is known as Hull's Victory. On August 19, 1812, the USS Constitution, under the command of Captain Isaac Hull, met and defeated the HMS Guerriere, a 38-gun British frigate. This victory provided a much-needed morale boost for the American public and burnished the reputations of the ship's officers, proving the capabilities of the young U.S. Navy.
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Captain Isaac Hull
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned 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.
During his military career, Hull commanded the warships USS Argus, USS Chesapeake, USS President, and USS Constitution. He assumed command of the frigate USS Constitution in June 1810. During the War of 1812, Hull, commanding the Constitution, captured the British frigate HMS Guerriere. This victory united the country behind the war effort and destroyed the legend of British naval invincibility. When the Constitution returned to Boston, Congress voted Hull a gold medal and $50,000 to share with the crew.
Hull left the Constitution in September 1812 due to a death in his family. After his time on the Constitution, Hull commanded the Boston, Portsmouth, and Washington navy yards, served on the Board of Naval Commissioners, and commanded the Mediterranean and Pacific Squadrons.
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USS Constitution's restoration
USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest naval warship still afloat. It was launched in 1797 and is one of six frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794.
Over the years, the ship has undergone several restoration projects aimed at preserving its historical integrity and ensuring its longevity. One of the earliest recorded restoration efforts took place between 1801 and 1803, when the USS Constitution underwent an overhaul that included new decking, select hull planking, repairs to chain and fire pumps, new yards, and other spars. The ship was also prepared for its departure to the Mediterranean Sea as a squadron flagship.
In 1906-1907, the USS Constitution received its first major "restoration," with the intention of recreating an earlier era in the ship's physical history. This restoration included superficial changes such as a partial sailing rig, replica guns, and an open waist at the spar deck level.
Funds were approved in 1972 for another restoration, and the ship entered dry dock in April 1973, remaining there until April 1974. During this period, large quantities of red oak, which had been added in the 1950s as an experiment, were removed and replaced as they had mostly rotted away by 1970.
On May 18, 2015, the ship entered Dry Dock 1 in Charlestown Navy Yard once again for a two-year restoration program. The focus of this restoration was to restore the copper sheets on the ship's hull and replace deck boards. The restoration was completed, and the ship returned to the water on July 23, 2017.
The preservation and restoration of the USS Constitution, or Old Ironsides, is an ongoing process. The ship has undergone numerous repairs and restorations over the past two centuries, each aimed at maintaining its historical accuracy and ensuring its longevity for future generations to experience and learn from.
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USS Constitution's recommissioning
USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. She was launched in 1797 and was the third of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.
The USS Constitution has undergone several recommissioning processes throughout its history. Here are some key moments in its recommissioning history:
- 1803 Recommissioning: In May 1803, Captain Edward Preble took command of the USS Constitution as his flagship. The copper sheathing on her hull was replaced by Paul Revere, who supplied the copper sheets. This process took 14 days and was completed on 25 June 1803.
- 1842 Recommissioning: On 22 June 1842, the USS Constitution was recommissioned under the command of Foxhall Alexander Parker for duty with the Home Squadron.
- 1852 Recommissioning: After being involved in a severe collision with another ship in 1850, the USS Constitution underwent repairs at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. She was recommissioned on 22 December 1852 under the command of John Rudd, carrying Commodore Isaac Mayo for duty with the African Squadron.
- 1931 Recommissioning: In 1931, the USS Constitution was recommissioned and embarked on a tour of 90 port cities along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts of the United States. During this three-year journey, over 4.6 million people visited the ship.
- 1940 Recommissioning: In 1940, at the request of President Franklin Roosevelt, the USS Constitution was recommissioned along with the USS Constellation. In 1941, she was placed in permanent commission, and an Act of Congress in 1954 made the Secretary of the Navy responsible for her upkeep.
These recommissioning events throughout the USS Constitution's long history have helped preserve and showcase this iconic warship, ensuring her place as a symbol of American naval history and power.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, was assigned the hull classification symbol IX-21 in 1941.
The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. It was launched in 1797 as one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794.
The hull of the USS Constitution was built from pine and oak, including southern live oak. The ship's hull was also sheathed in copper.
Captain Isaac Hull commanded the USS Constitution during the War of 1812, including the battle with HMS Guerriere in 1812.
The USS Constitution underwent a two-year restoration program from 2015 to 2017. It is currently afloat and is open to the public at its berth in the Boston Navy Yard.
