Malcolm Rivera
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. The ship was launched in 1797 and is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. The hull of the USS Constitution is made up of three layers of oak: white oak for the exterior and interior horizontal planking, and live oak for the vertical framing. The ship's hull is approximately 22 inches thick at the waterline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hull | Three layers of oak: white oak for the exterior and interior horizontal planking, and live oak for the vertical framing |
| Hull thickness | 22 inches at the waterline |
| Hull planks | 35 feet long, 5-7 inches wide, and 4-7 inches thick |
| Hull planking material | Laminated white oak |
| Hull plank replacement | 35 out of 150 white oak trees were chosen to replace 30-40 foot-long rotted hull planks |
| Guns | Rated as a 44-gun frigate, but often carried more than 50 guns at a time |
| Launch date | 21 October 1797 |
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What You'll Learn
The USS Constitution is made of oak
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 is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.
The choice of oak for the USS Constitution was carefully considered. Secretary of War Knox stated that "the best white oak" of sufficient size and clarity was essential for the ship's survival. Over time, obtaining solid wood hull planks and ship's knees has become increasingly challenging. In recent restorations, laminated white oak has been used to replace hull planks above the waterline.
The USS Constitution's connection with oak is further highlighted by the dedication of the ceremonial "Constitution Grove" at Naval Support Activity Crane in Indiana. This grove contains 150 white oak trees, some of which have been designated for use in repairing and restoring the ship. The harvesting of these oaks is carefully planned to protect the endangered Indiana Bat, which nests in the area during the summer.
Overall, the USS Constitution's construction from oak, specifically its "iron" sides, has contributed to its longevity and reputation as one of the most famous warships in history.
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The ship's hull is made of three layers of oak
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's hull is made of three layers of oak.
The outer layer of the hull is made of white oak, chosen for its rot resistance and strength. The use of white oak for the exterior horizontal planking provides a durable shield against the elements, protecting the inner layers of the hull. White oak was specifically selected for its ability to withstand the harsh conditions at sea, ensuring the longevity of the ship.
The middle layer of the hull is constructed of live oak, which serves as the vertical framing. Live oak possesses exceptional strength and robustness, providing structural integrity to the ship. The vertical framing made of live oak acts as a backbone, bearing the weight of the ship and distributing it evenly across the structure.
The innermost layer of the hull is again crafted from white oak, forming the interior horizontal planking. This layer adds further resilience and fortifies the ship's overall framework. The combination of white and live oak layers creates the ship's renowned "iron" sides, a testament to the durability and strength of the materials used in its construction.
The USS Constitution's hull is approximately 22 inches thick at the waterline, a substantial barrier that has contributed to its survival and longevity. The ship's restoration and maintenance have been challenging, with the procurement of solid wood hull planks becoming increasingly difficult over time. However, the dedication to preserving the ship has led to initiatives like the ceremonial "Constitution Grove," where 150 white oak trees were designated for the ship's restoration.
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The outer layer of the hull is made of white oak
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 is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.
White oak was chosen for its strength and rot resistance, with Secretary of War Knox noting that it was of "sufficient size and clarity". However, obtaining solid wood hull planks has become increasingly challenging in recent centuries. In 1973, the U.S. Navy noted the difficulty in procuring "seasoned white oak" for the ship's overhaul.
To address this, the Navy designated 150 white oak trees at the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) in Crane, Indiana for the USS Constitution. In 2014, 35 of these trees were chosen to replace rotted hull planks, with the harvested wood being stored until needed for restoration.
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The middle layer of the hull is made of live oak
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.
The hull of the USS Constitution is made up of three layers of oak. The middle layer of the hull is made of live oak, which forms the vertical framing. The exterior and interior horizontal planking is made of white oak.
The use of oak is intentional, as it is not only rot-resistant but also extremely strong. The combination of white and live oak creates the ship's "iron" sides, which are approximately 22 inches thick at the waterline.
Over time, obtaining solid wood hull planks and ships' knees has become increasingly challenging. In recent years, white oak trees at the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) in Crane, Indiana, have been designated for the USS Constitution's restoration. The trees are carefully harvested at specific times of the year to protect the endangered Indiana Bat, which nests in the area during the summer.
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The ship's restoration in the 20th century
The USS Constitution has undergone several restoration projects in the 20th century. The first significant restoration of the USS Constitution in the 20th century took place in Dry Dock #1 of the Charlestown Navy Yard. During this restoration, 85% of the ship was replaced, including hull plank replacement, caulking, rigging work, and the transition from hemp to polypropylene rigging. The use of laminated white oak and Douglas fir was also introduced during this period.
In 1972, funds were approved for another major restoration project, and the USS Constitution entered dry dock in April 1973, remaining there until April 1974. 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. This restoration aimed to maintain the ship's 1812 configuration, and significant below-the-waterline work was executed, including replacing the copper sheathing installed in the 1927 restoration, along with some framing and rigging work. A modern 40 mm (1.6 in) saluting gun was also hidden inside the forward long gun on each side to restore the ship's capability to fire ceremonial salutes.
The USS Constitution underwent another important restoration from 1992 to 1995, which included a five-part strengthening initiative. This restoration aimed to recreate and install structural elements that had been lost over time, such as the replacement of the spar deck and significant updates to the ship's rigging. The upper bulwarks were lowered, and the waist bulwarks were opened as per the 1812 configuration, removing 20 tons of unnecessary weight from the ship's keel.
The most recent major restoration of the USS Constitution took place from 2015 to 2017, with the ship returning to the water on 23 July 2017. This restoration included repairing and replacing the copper sheets on the ship's hull, replacing deck boards, and refurbishing the rigging and masts. The restoration cost between $12 million and $15 million, provided by the Department of the Navy.
Over the years, the USS Constitution has undergone numerous other repairs and restorations to maintain its structural integrity and appearance. The ship's hull, made of three layers of wood, including exterior and interior oak planking, has been a focus of restoration efforts due to its susceptibility to wood rot. The ship's guns have also been replaced with replicas, and various rigging and spars have been updated or repaired.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution is made of wood, specifically oak.
The ship's hull is made up of three layers of oak: white oak for the exterior horizontal planking, live oak for the vertical framing, and white oak again for the interior horizontal planking.
Oak was chosen for its rot-resistant and extremely strong properties. The combination of white and live oak gives the ship its “iron” sides.
The oak for the USS Constitution came from the forests of New England, the Mid-Atlantic states, and the sea islands off Georgia. More recently, oak trees from Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane, Indiana have been designated for use in repairing the ship.
The hull planks of the USS Constitution are on average 35 feet long, with a width of 5-7 inches and a thickness of 4-7 inches.
