Simone Lawson
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 in the world. The USS Constitution was launched in 1797 and is renowned in American history. The ship's story sheds light on the US Navy during the first 100 years of the nation. The ship's nickname, Old Ironsides, was earned during its victory over the British frigate Guerriere in 1812. The USS Constitution has been maintained as a museum ship since 1907 and remains a popular attraction in Boston.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | Old Ironsides, America's Ship of State |
| Construction | Three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate |
| Hull thickness | 21 inches (530 mm) |
| Length between perpendiculars | 175 ft (53 m) |
| Overall length | 204 ft (62 m) |
| Width | 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m) |
| Trees used | 60 acres (24 ha) of pine and oak |
| Launch date | 21 October 1797 |
| First duties | Protection of American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War |
| Notable events | Escaped the British fleet off the coast of New Jersey in 1812, won a sailing competition against the British HMS Santa Margarita, led the parade of tall ships up Boston Harbor for Operation Sail, hosted Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for a tour |
| Current status | The world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat; currently berthed in Boston and open to the public |
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What You'll Learn
- The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat
- It was built at Edmund Hartt's Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts
- It was launched in 1797 as one of the first frigates built for the US Navy
- It was celebrated for its victories during the War of 1812
- It has been open to the public and on display in Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston
The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned 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 commissioned naval warship still afloat, having been launched in Boston, Massachusetts, on 21 October 1797.
The name "Constitution" was one of ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering. Joshua Humphreys designed the Constitution and her sister ships to be larger and more heavily armed than the standard frigates of the period, as they were to be the young Navy's capital ships. The ship's hull was built 21 inches thick, with a length of 175 feet between perpendiculars and an overall length of 204 feet. Its construction required 60 acres of trees, primarily pine and oak.
The 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. During the War of 1812, it achieved an enduring place in American naval tradition. On 19 August 1812, under the command of Captain Isaac Hull, it defeated the British frigate Guerriere. During this battle, the ship earned its nickname "Old Ironsides" when American sailors noticed that British shots were failing to penetrate the ship's oak sides.
The USS Constitution has been maintained and preserved over the years, with an Act of Congress in 1954 making the Secretary of the Navy responsible for her upkeep. She remains in commission and is currently berthed in Boston, known as "America's Ship of State". The ship has sailed in the open seas as recently as 1997 and 2012 to mark the respective bicentennials of her launching and victory over Guerriere.
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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. Built at Edmund Hartt's Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, the USS Constitution was launched in 1797. It was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and was the third constructed.
Edmund Hartt's Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, was responsible for building this iconic ship. The keel was laid down on November 1, 1794, under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson, master shipwright Colonel George Claghorn, and Foreman Prince Athearn of the Martha's Vineyard Athearns. The shipyard provided the necessary space, infrastructure, and skilled labour to construct the frigate. The hull of the USS Constitution was built with a thickness of 21 inches, a length between perpendiculars of 175 feet, an overall length of 204 feet, and a width of 43 feet and 6 inches. The ship's construction required a significant amount of wood, with 60 acres of trees used, primarily pine and oak.
The choice of Boston, Massachusetts, as the ship's building site was likely influenced by the region's abundant natural resources, particularly its supply of high-quality timber. The city's proximity to the sea and its established shipbuilding industry may also have been factors in the decision. Boston had a rich history of maritime trade and naval activities, providing the necessary infrastructure and expertise to support the construction of such a significant vessel.
Edmund Hartt's Shipyard played a crucial role in the construction of the USS Constitution, and its contribution to American naval history is significant. The shipyard's skilled workers, including shipwrights, carpenters, and craftsmen, utilized traditional shipbuilding techniques and local materials to bring the frigate to life. The construction process would have involved the careful selection and preparation of timber, the shaping and joining of wooden components, and the intricate rigging and outfitting of the ship.
Today, the USS Constitution remains a symbol of American naval prowess and a testament to the craftsmanship and labour that went into its construction at Edmund Hartt's Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. Visitors can still see the ship in Boston, where it is berthed, and learn about its history at the USS Constitution Museum, which first opened in 1907.
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It was launched in 1797 as one of the first frigates built for the US Navy
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, as one of the first frigates built for the US Navy. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.
The USS Constitution was one of six original frigates authorised for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and the third to be constructed. The keel was laid on 1 November 1794 at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson, master shipwright Colonel George Claghorn, and Foreman Prince Athearn of Martha's Vineyard Athearns. The ship's hull was built 21 inches thick, with a length of 175 feet between perpendiculars and an overall length of 204 feet. Its construction required a vast amount of wood, with 60 acres of trees used, primarily pine and oak.
The name "Constitution" was one of ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering. Joshua Humphreys designed the frigates to be larger, more heavily armed, and more robust than standard frigates of the period, serving as the young Navy's capital ships. The USS Constitution's first duties included protecting American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War.
The ship gained its nickname, "Old Ironsides," during the War of 1812. On 19 August 1812, commanded by Captain Isaac Hull, it achieved a notable victory over the British frigate Guerriere. During this battle, British cannonballs were seen to bounce off the ship's thick oak sides, leading to the famous moniker. The USS Constitution's exploits in the War of 1812 cemented its enduring place in American naval tradition.
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It was celebrated for its victories during the War of 1812
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 USS Constitution is celebrated for its victories during the War of 1812, which was fought between the United States and Great Britain. The war began when President James Madison declared war on England on June 18, 1812, due to trade restrictions imposed by the British on America's merchant fleet, territorial disputes over the Canadian border, and the impressment of American sailors by the British.
During the War of 1812, the USS Constitution defeated four British warships: HMS Guerriere, HMS Java, HMS Cyane, and HMS Levant. The ship's success was surprising to both the Americans and the British, as the Royal Navy was considered invincible at the time. The USS Constitution's victories had a significant impact on morale and ended the myth of British naval invincibility. The ship's performance demonstrated its readiness for war, showcasing the leadership of its commanding officers, the teamwork of its crew, and its sailing abilities.
The War of 1812 marked the last time the United States and Great Britain were on opposing sides of an armed conflict. While the war ended in a draw, with both sides claiming victories, it had a profound impact on the emergence of Canada as an independent nation and the forging of the United States as a nation. The USS Constitution's victories at sea, along with victories on Lake Erie, Lake Champlain, Fort McHenry, and New Orleans, introduced new American heroes and inspired expressions, symbols, and the patriotic song "The Star-Spangled Banner," which became the national anthem.
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It has been open to the public and on display in Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston
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 Museum, a privately-run museum, opened on April 8, 1976. The ship has been a museum since 1907. It has twice sailed in the open seas, in 1997 and 2012, to mark the respective bicentennials of its launch and victory over Guerriere.
On July 10, the USS Constitution led a parade of tall ships up Boston Harbor for Operation Sail, firing its guns at one-minute intervals for the first time in approximately 100 years. The following day, it rendered a 21-gun salute to Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrived for a state visit. The royal couple were piped aboard and privately toured the ship for approximately 30 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat in the world.
The USS Constitution is known for its role in several significant historical events. It was one of the first frigates built for the US Navy and played a crucial part in the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War, and the War of 1812. It earned the nickname "Old Ironsides" due to its sturdy construction, with oak sides that could withstand British cannonballs.
The USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. Its keel was laid on November 1, 1794, and it was launched on October 21, 1797.
After its early military exploits, the USS Constitution continued to serve in various capacities. It underwent upgrades and was used for training midshipmen during the summer months. By the late 19th century, it had become a floating training and accommodation ship. The ship was almost condemned in 1830 but was preserved due to public sentiment aroused by Oliver Wendell Holmes's poem "Old Ironsides." It became a museum ship in Boston in 1907 and has since undergone restorations and occasional sails to commemorate its history.
