Malcolm Rivera
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. During the War of 1812, the Constitution achieved several important victories over the British, including a battle against HMS Java on December 29, 1812. In this engagement, the Constitution's wheel was shot away, killing two of the four quartermasters steering and injuring the other two. Despite this, the crew of the Constitution was able to manually steer the ship using the tiller and ultimately emerged victorious. After the battle, Commodore Bainbridge took the wheel from the Java to replace his own shattered wheel before burning and sinking the British ship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | HMS Java |
| Year | 1812 |
| Captain | Henry Lambert |
| Opponent | USS Constitution |
| Opponent's Captain | William Bainbridge |
| Outcome | Java was sunk by Bainbridge |
| Opponent's Wheel | Double wheel |
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What You'll Learn
USS Constitution's Mediterranean cruise
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 its first duties included providing protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War.
Between 1803 and 1807, the USS Constitution embarked on a Mediterranean cruise, a multi-year deployment to Tripoli and the waters around North Africa. During this cruise, the ship was involved in battles against Barbary pirates and played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of American merchant vessels in the region.
After returning from its Mediterranean cruise in 1807, the USS Constitution underwent repairs in New York. In 1809, Midshipman John M. Funck noted in his Watch & Quarter Bill that four men were required at the ship's wheel, indicating that the ship had transitioned to a double-wheel steering system during the repairs.
The USS Constitution continued to serve in various capacities, including as a flagship in the Mediterranean Squadron in the 1820s. It also participated in the Second Barbary War and circled the globe in the 1840s.
Today, the USS Constitution is a fully commissioned Navy ship with a crew of 75 officers and sailors who participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events while keeping the ship open to visitors year-round.
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The War of 1812
The war was caused by multiple factors, including trade restrictions imposed by Britain to impede American trade with France, impressment (forced recruitment) of sailors from US vessels into the Royal Navy, and British military support for indigenous resistance to American colonial expansion. The US also desired to uphold national honour and possibly annex Canadian territory.
During the war, the USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", engaged in a battle with HMS Java on 29 December 1812. A shot from Java destroyed Constitution's helm (double wheel), killing two of the four quartermasters steering and injuring the other two. Despite this, the USS Constitution emerged victorious, with Captain William Bainbridge receiving the surrender of his opponent’s ship. The crew of the USS Constitution steered manually using the tiller for the remainder of the engagement.
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USS Constitution's steering arrangements
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 was launched in 1797, and there are no images or descriptions of its original wheel and steering arrangement from that time. However, records from 1804 indicate that only two men were needed to man the ship's wheel, suggesting that it was originally fitted with a single wheel.
During its Mediterranean cruise from 1803 to 1807, the ship underwent repairs and modifications, including the addition of a double wheel. This change is evident in Midshipman John M. Funck's Watch & Quarter Bill from 1809, which noted that four men were required to operate the ship's wheel.
The USS Constitution's double wheel played a significant role in its battle against HMS Java during the War of 1812. Twenty minutes into the engagement, one of Java's shots directly hit the Constitution's double wheel, killing two of the four quartermasters, Mark Snow and John D. Allen, and injuring the other two. Despite this tragic loss, the remaining crew managed to steer the ship manually using the iron tiller fitted into the rudder stock, relying on a game of "telephone" to relay sailing commands.
The Philadelphia rebuild wheel, installed during the lengthy restoration between 1872 and 1877, is featured in the first known photograph of any of the Constitution's wheels. This wheel remained aboard the ship through multiple journeys and restorations until a new double wheel was manufactured during the 1927-1931 restoration in the Charlestown Navy Yard.
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The ship's repairs
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 has undergone numerous refits, rebuilds, overhauls, and restorations during its more than 220-year career.
One of the earliest recorded instances of repairs on the USS Constitution occurred in 1801, just four years after its launch. At this time, the ship underwent an extensive refit, which included stern work and new copper sheathing made by Paul Revere. These repairs were carried out before the ship sailed to the Mediterranean as Commodore Edward Preble's flagship in the Barbary War.
In 1808, the USS Constitution underwent further repairs in New York, totalling $99,967.76. During this refit, the ship was likely fitted with a double wheel, as Midshipman John M. Funck noted in 1809 that four men were needed to operate the ship's wheel.
The ship saw significant action during the War of 1812, including a battle against HMS Java on December 29, 1812. During this engagement, a shot from Java destroyed the Constitution's helm (wheel). Despite this, the crew was able to steer the ship manually using the tiller, and the loss of the wheel did not hamper their success.
In 1819, Isaac Hull, a former lieutenant and captain of the USS Constitution, wrote about additional repairs to the ship. He mentioned that about eight years after its construction, the ship underwent a thorough repair, with every beam replaced and new planks installed from the water's edge to the gunwale.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the USS Constitution underwent several significant dry dockings and restorations. Notable examples include the 1927 restoration, where 85% of the ship was replaced, and the 1992-1995 dry docking, which focused on strengthening the ship and updating its rig.
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USS Constitution's victories
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 was launched in 1797 and saw action in one undeclared war and two official wars.
One of the USS Constitution's most famous victories was against the HMS Guerriere in 1812. The battle took place about 400 miles southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was a significant boost to American morale during the War of 1812. Despite facing a bigger, stronger, and better-armed American ship, Guerriere's Captain James Richard Dacres engaged in combat. However, in the exchange of broadsides, Guerriere's masts were felled, and the ship was left in a sinking condition. The Constitution's crew took the British sailors on board and set the Guerriere on fire before returning to Boston in victory. This battle also resulted in the Constitution earning its famous nickname, "Old Ironsides", after many of Guerriere's shots rebounded harmlessly off its hull. An American sailor reportedly exclaimed, "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!"
Another notable victory for the USS Constitution was its battle against the HMS Java in 1812. During this engagement, the Constitution's helm (wheel) was destroyed by a shot from the Java. Despite this setback, Captain William Bainbridge directed the crew to steer the ship manually using the tiller, and they were ultimately successful in defeating the Java. This victory was significant enough to prompt the British Admiralty to order that no Royal Navy frigates should engage heavy American frigates one-on-one; only British ships of the line or squadrons were permitted to attack them.
The USS Constitution also played a crucial role in protecting American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and in defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. In addition, the seizure of the H.N. Gambrill, a slave ship, in 1842 was the first and last capture of its kind for the Constitution and marked the end of her career as a prize-taking vessel.
The USS Constitution has a proud history of victories and has served as a powerful symbol of American naval might for over two centuries.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution took the wheel from HMS Java after the former's wheel was destroyed during a battle in 1812.
The HMS Java was burned and sunk by Commodore Bainbridge.
The USS Constitution was nicknamed "Old Ironsides" due to its strong and durable hull.
The USS Constitution is currently the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat and is on display in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston.
