Isabella Carter
The USS Constitution, one of the first frigates built for the U.S. Navy, is a warship renowned in American history. It was Commodore Edward Preble's flagship in the successful war against the Tripoli pirates (1801–1805), and the peace treaty was signed aboard the ship. During the War of 1812, it achieved an enduring place in American naval tradition, with several victories adding to its fame. Tradition has it that, during its encounter with the British frigate Guerriere, the American sailors dubbed the ship Old Ironsides after witnessing British shots failing to penetrate its oak sides. The USS Constitution is not the only ship named for the United States' landmark document, with several other ships throughout history sharing the name.
Explore related products
$68.95
What You'll Learn
- The name ''Old Ironsides' was given to the ship Constitution by American sailors
- The name Constitution was used for a transatlantic steam liner
- A British ship named Constitution sailed from Liverpool in the 1840s and 1850s
- The SS Constitution was featured in the film 'An Affair to Remember'
- The ship Constitution was also referred to as 'His Britannic Majesty's ship'
The name ''Old Ironsides' was given to the ship Constitution by American sailors
The USS Constitution is a renowned warship in American history. It is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat, having been launched in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 21, 1797. The ship played a significant role in the early naval history of the United States, particularly during the War of 1812. It was during this conflict that the ship acquired the nickname "Old Ironsides" from American sailors.
On August 19, 1812, the USS Constitution, commanded by Captain Isaac Hull, engaged and defeated the British frigate Guerriere. During the battle, the American sailors noticed that the British cannonballs seemed to bounce off the sides of their ship, prompting them to dub it "Old Ironsides". The nickname became a symbol of the ship's resilience and strength, and it stuck even after the battle.
The name "Old Ironsides" became so closely associated with the ship that it played a crucial role in preserving the vessel for future generations. In 1830, the Constitution was deemed unseaworthy and there were recommendations for it to be broken up. However, public sentiment strongly opposed this fate, largely due to the ship's heroic reputation as "Old Ironsides". This sentiment was encapsulated in Oliver Wendell Holmes's poem "Old Ironsides", which helped galvanize public support for the ship's preservation.
The USS Constitution underwent restoration and rebuilding, and in 1844, it embarked on a circumnavigation of the globe. Over the years, it has undergone several restorations and periods of active service, serving as a museum ship and a training ship at various times. In 1931, it was recommissioned and embarked on a tour of 90 port cities along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts, drawing millions of visitors.
It's worth noting that while the name "Old Ironsides" is uniquely associated with the USS Constitution, there have been several other ships named "Constitution" throughout history. These include passenger ships sailing between Europe and the United States in the 1800s, a British ship sailing from Liverpool in the mid-1800s, and a transatlantic steam liner built after World War II. However, none of these ships attained the same level of fame or significance as the USS Constitution, affectionately known as "Old Ironsides" by American sailors and the public alike.
The Constitution's Two Sides: Understanding the Dual Nature
You may want to see also
The name Constitution was used for a transatlantic steam liner
The name "Constitution" has been used for several ships other than the USS Constitution. During the 1800s, there were at least three passenger ships named Constitution that sailed between Europe and the United States. One of these ships, a two-masted vessel, sailed between Bremen and New York from the 1820s until it wrecked in 1833. Its owners then replaced it with a three-masted barque, which sailed the same route until 1859. Another ship named Constitution sailed from Liverpool during the 1840s and 1850s, carrying over 300 passengers. There was also a ship named Constitution that sailed from England to Australia in 1851, with 100 passengers on board.
After World War II, another shipping company built close to the USS Constitution's home port capitalized on the famous ship name for a transatlantic steam liner. The SS (Steam Ship) Constitution was launched from the Bethlehem Steel shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, in September 1950. Built by American Export Lines, the SS Constitution and its sister ship, SS Independence, carried 1,000 passengers on regular service between New York and Naples, Italy, with a stop in southern France. This journey was marketed as the "Sunlane" route. The SS Constitution featured images of the USS Constitution in its interior décor, and the company leveraged the ship's famous name and patriotic connotations in their early marketing.
The SS Constitution gained fame after appearing in two episodes of "I Love Lucy", where Lucy and Ricky Ricardo made the passage. It was also a favorite of Grace Kelly, who travelled on it regularly after becoming Princess Grace of Monaco. The ship was also the setting for the 1957 romantic film drama "An Affair to Remember". However, as transatlantic jet travel replaced steamship passenger liners in the 1960s, business declined, and the SS Constitution was sold to a Taiwanese company. The new owners operated cruises in Hawaii throughout the 1980s, but the ship fell into disrepair and sank in 1997 while being towed to a scrapyard.
Understanding Hate Crime Legislation in the UK
You may want to see also
A British ship named Constitution sailed from Liverpool in the 1840s and 1850s
The name "Constitution" has been used for multiple ships, including the USS Constitution, which is most famous for its actions during the War of 1812 against the United Kingdom. However, there was also a British ship named Constitution that sailed from Liverpool in the 1840s and 1850s.
The British ship Constitution regularly departed from Liverpool during this period, often carrying more than 300 passengers. U.S. immigration records indicate that a ship by the same name continued to make this voyage into the late 1860s, but it is unclear if it was a different ship or the same British vessel. This ship, along with others sailing from Germany and England in the mid-1800s, brought immigrants from Europe, particularly Ireland, which was experiencing a famine due to the potato crop collapse.
The British ship Constitution was one of several ships named Constitution that operated in the 1800s. During this time, there were at least three passenger ships with the same name that provided service between Europe and the United States. Another ship with this name was built after World War II, and yet another ship named Constitution sailed from England to Australia in 1851, carrying 100 passengers.
The USS Constitution, also known as ""Old Ironsides," was a 44-gun frigate that played a significant role in the War of 1812, capturing numerous British merchant ships and defeating five warships. After the war, it served as a flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons and even circled the globe in the 1840s. In the 1930s, it underwent extensive restoration and embarked on a three-year tour, visiting 90 port cities across the United States.
The name "Constitution" has been a popular choice for ships, with multiple vessels bearing this name throughout history, including the British ship that regularly sailed from Liverpool during the 1840s and 1850s.
Adrenaline and Constitution: Stacking for Success in Monster Hunter World
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The SS Constitution was featured in the film 'An Affair to Remember'
The SS Constitution was a passenger ship owned by American Export Lines. It was commissioned in 1951 and sailed on the New York-Genoa-Naples-Gibraltar route to Europe. The SS Constitution was featured in the classic romantic film drama "An Affair to Remember" in 1957. The film starred Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr and was directed by Leo McCarey. It was a remake of the 1939 film "Love Affair" starring Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer.
The SS Constitution was also featured in several episodes of the television situation comedy "I Love Lucy" starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The ship was a favourite of Grace Kelly, who travelled on it regularly after becoming Princess Grace of Monaco.
The SS Constitution was built by American Export Lines, which operated freighters. It was constructed in the United States and made its maiden voyage in 1951. It was a sister ship to the SS Independence, and both were symbols of American maritime design and construction. They were big, fast, and very comfortable.
The SS Constitution was decommissioned in 1995 and sank while under tow to be scrapped in 1997, 700 nautical miles north of the Hawaiian Islands. The exact location of the wreck has yet to be discovered.
The Constitution: Limiting Arbitrary Power
You may want to see also
The ship Constitution was also referred to as 'His Britannic Majesty's ship'
The ship Constitution, also known as the USS Constitution, is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat. It was launched in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 21, 1797, and served as Commodore Edward Preble's flagship in the successful war against the Tripoli pirates from 1801 to 1805. The peace treaty was signed aboard the Constitution, and it played a significant role in the War of 1812, achieving an enduring place in American naval tradition.
During an encounter with the British frigate Guerriere, American sailors witnessed the British shots failing to penetrate the sturdy oak sides of their ship, earning it the nickname "Old Ironsides." This moniker was further popularized by Oliver Wendell Holmes' poem of the same name, which helped preserve the ship when it was condemned as unseaworthy in 1830. The USS Constitution underwent restoration and continued its illustrious naval career, becoming a symbol of American naval prowess and strength.
However, it is important to note that the phrase "His Britannic Majesty's ship" was not a reference to the USS Constitution. In a recorded exchange between Preble and the commander of another ship, Preble identifies his vessel as the “United States ship Constitution, 44 guns, Edward Preble, an American commodore." The other commander replies, "This is His Britannic Majesty's ship Donegal, 84 guns, Sir Richard Strachan, an English commodore." Here, "His Britannic Majesty's ship" refers to the ship Donegal, a part of the British fleet, and not the American USS Constitution.
The USS Constitution has a rich history and has undergone several transformations. It was removed from active service in 1882 and opened to the public in Boston Harbor in 1905. After a restoration period from 1927 to 1931, the ship was recommissioned and visited 90 American ports, attracting millions of visitors. It has since been based at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston and continues to be a celebrated part of American naval history.
It is worth mentioning that there have been other ships named Constitution throughout history, including passenger ships that sailed between Europe and the United States in the 1800s, a British ship sailing from Liverpool in the mid-19th century, and a transatlantic steam liner, the SS Constitution, launched in 1950. These ships contributed to some confusion in family stories and historical records. However, the USS Constitution remains the most renowned and celebrated vessel bearing that name.
Mailing and Filing: Insurance Claim Process in Texas
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Tradition has it that during the War of 1812, when British shots failed to penetrate the oak sides of the ship, American sailors dubbed it "Old Ironsides".
The ship Constitution has also been referred to as the United States frigate Constitution, Old Constitution, and USS Constitution.
There have been several other ships named Constitution, including:
- A British ship that sailed from Liverpool in the 1840s and 1850s.
- A German brig built in Bremen in 1820.
- An Italian transatlantic steam liner launched in 1950.
