Simone Lawson
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. Built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, and launched in 1797, the USS Constitution was constructed using a variety of wood types, including pine and oak. The ship's hull, originally made of white oak and live oak, earned it the nickname Old Ironsides due to its resilience to enemy cannonballs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hull | White oak and live oak |
| 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 needed for construction | 60 acres (24 ha) |
| Primary materials | Pine and oak |
| Rigging components | Lignum vitae |
| Wooden pegs | 150,000, made of black locust |
| Deck, ceiling, and deck beams (original) | Best heart pitch pine |
| Deck, ceiling, and deck beams (current) | Douglas fir |
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What You'll Learn
The ship's hull was made of white oak and 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. The ship was launched in 1797 and was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts.
The use of live oak was a secret weapon of the USS Constitution, as it is a super-dense wood that made the ship's hull resilient to enemy cannonballs. The density of the live oak gave the ship its iron-like strength, earning it the nickname "Old Ironsides" during the battle with HMS Guerriere in 1812.
The Navy has had to acquire live oak through donations due to its lack of commercial availability. In addition, the Navy has designated and grown its own white oak trees for the USS Constitution's restoration, with 150 white oak trees spread over a 64,000-acre base.
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The ship's frames were 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 ship's hull was built 21 inches thick, and its construction required 60 acres of trees. The primary materials consisted of pine and oak, with the latter being sourced from southern live oak trees cut from Gascoigne Bluff and milled near St. Simons Island, Georgia. The ship's frames were made from this live oak wood, which is known for its extreme density and strength.
The USS Constitution earned its nickname, Old Ironsides, due to its resilient and durable hull. The hull consisted of three layers, with the outer and inner horizontal layers made of white oak, and the centre vertical layer made of live oak. This combination of white oak and live oak gave the ship its iron-like strength, allowing it to withstand enemy cannonballs.
The use of live oak as the ribcage of the ship provided the necessary support for the outer "skin" of planking. The density of the live oak is approximately 75 pounds per cubic foot, contributing to the ship's overall resilience and durability.
In recent times, the Navy has had to acquire live oak through donations due to the wood not being commercially harvested or available through conventional sources. The preservation of the USS Constitution involves close collaboration between the Navy and private and public sectors to ensure the required materials are sourced.
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The ship's beams and decks were made of longleaf pine
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 use of longleaf pine in the decks and beams of the USS Constitution contributed to its structural integrity and longevity. The wood's natural strength and resistance to deterioration helped the ship withstand the stresses of sailing and combat. The longleaf pine beams and decks provided a sturdy framework that supported the ship's hull and upper structures.
The choice of longleaf pine for the USS Constitution's beams and decks was a careful consideration by the ship's designers and builders. They recognised the need for a strong and durable wood that could withstand the rigours of maritime service. By selecting longleaf pine, they ensured that the ship would have a sturdy foundation upon which the rest of the vessel could be constructed.
The longleaf pine used in the USS Constitution's construction was sourced from South Carolina, where the trees were abundant. The selection of this particular wood demonstrates the attention to detail and the utilisation of the best available resources during the ship's construction. The builders of the USS Constitution prioritised the use of high-quality materials to create a formidable and long-lasting warship.
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The ship's rigging components were made of Lignum vitae
The USS Constitution, also known as
Lignum Vitae, or "wood of life", is derived from trees of the genus Guaiacum, which are indigenous to the Caribbean and the northern coast of South America, particularly Colombia and Venezuela. This wood has been an important export crop to Europe since the 16th century and is known for its extraordinary combination of strength, toughness, and density. Due to these unique characteristics, Lignum Vitae was widely used in applications that required durability and resistance to wear.
The choice of Lignum Vitae for the rigging components of the USS Constitution was strategic. The wood's density and natural oils made it highly resistant to the severe marine weathering conditions experienced by sailing vessels. As a result, the rigging components crafted from Lignum Vitae rarely required replacement and resisted jamming in their mortise holes. This ensured the smooth and reliable operation of the ship's rigging mechanisms, contributing to the overall performance and longevity of the USS Constitution.
In addition to its use in the ship's rigging, Lignum Vitae has also been employed in other maritime applications. For example, it was used in the shaft bearings of ships, including the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. Furthermore, Lignum Vitae has found utility in cricket bails, lawn bowls, and traditional wood carvers' mallets, showcasing its versatility and value across various industries.
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The hull was pinned together with wooden pegs made of black locust
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 ship's hull was built 21 inches thick, and its construction required 60 acres of trees. The primary materials used were pine and oak, with the latter being sourced from southern live oak trees. The density of this type of oak is said to have given the ship its resilience, earning it the nickname Old Ironsides.
The ship's beams and decks were made of longleaf pine, sourced from South Carolina. The rigging components were made from Lignum vitae wood, which is one of the hardiest and heaviest types of wood, typically found in the Caribbean and South America.
The hull was pinned together with around 150,000 wooden pegs called treenails, made from black locust wood. Tarred paper, or "Irish felt", was placed between the hull and the copper sheeting lining it. This copper sheeting, as well as the ship's brass fittings, were provided by Paul Revere and forged in his foundry in Boston.
Today, the restoration and maintenance of the USS Constitution continue, with the Navy acquiring live oak through donations and collaborations with the private and public sectors.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is made of white oak and southern live oak. The ship's beams and decks were made of longleaf pine, while the ship's rigging components were made of Lignum vitae.
The use of white oak and live oak in the construction of the USS Constitution was a deliberate choice to create a resilient and powerful ship. The density of live oak gave the ship its iron-like strength, allowing it to withstand enemy cannonballs.
The southern live oak used in the construction of the USS Constitution was sourced from Gascoigne Bluff and milled near St. Simons Island, Georgia. The longleaf pine used in the ship's beams and decks was sourced from South Carolina.
Yes, during the 1992-1995 restoration, the original materials of pine and oak were replaced with glue-laminated Douglas Fir for the decks, ceiling, and deck beams. The ship's hull, however, remains made of white oak.
