Jonah Patel
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 between 1794 and 1797, the USS Constitution was one of six ships commissioned by President George Washington to combat French privateers during the Quasi-War with France and to defeat the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. The ship's construction, which required 60 acres of trees, used a variety of wood types, including pine and oak. The hull, for instance, was originally made of white oak and live oak, while the ship's beams and decks were made of longleaf pine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Years of Construction | 1794-1797 |
| Types of Wood Used | Pine, Oak, Southern Live Oak, White Oak, and Douglas Fir |
| Length | 204 ft (62 m) overall, 175 ft (53 m) between perpendiculars |
| Width | 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m) |
| Thickness of Hull | 21 inches (530 mm) |
| Height | 172 ft (54.4 m) from spar deck to top of mast |
| Rigging Components | Lignum vitae |
| Wooden Pegs | Black Locust |
| Hull Classification Symbol | IX-21 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The USS Constitution was constructed from 1794 to 1797
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 designed by Joshua Humphreys, who intended for the frigates to be the young Navy's capital ships. As a result, the USS Constitution and her sister ships were larger and more heavily armed than the standard frigates of the period. The ship's construction was supervised by Captain Samuel Nicholson, master shipwright Colonel George Claghorn, and Foreman Prince Athearn of the Martha's Vineyard Athearns.
The USS Constitution's hull was built 21 inches (530 mm) thick, with a length of 175 ft (53 m) between perpendiculars, a 204 ft (62 m) length overall, and a width of 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m). Approximately 60 acres (24 ha) of trees were required for its construction. The primary materials used were pine and oak, including southern live oak sourced from Gascoigne Bluff and milled near St. Simons Island, Georgia. The ship's beams and decks were made of longleaf pine from South Carolina. The hull consisted of three layers, with the outer and inner horizontal layers made of white oak and the center vertical layer made of live oak. This live oak gave the ship its iron-like strength and earned it the nickname "Old Ironsides".
The rigging components, such as sheaves, blocks, belaying pins, and deadeyes, were crafted from Lignum vitae, a dense and heavy wood from the Caribbean and South America. Black locust wood was used to make the roughly 150,000 wooden pegs that held the ship together.
Amendments: The Constitution's Living Additions
You may want to see also
White oak is used for the hull
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 to be 21 inches (530 mm) thick, with a length between perpendiculars of 175 ft (53 m), an overall length of 204 ft (62 m), and a width of 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m). The hull was originally made of white oak and live oak. The hull consisted of three layers, with the outer and inner horizontal layers made of white oak and the center vertical layer made of live oak. This unique construction technique is believed to have given the ship its iron-like strength and earned it the nickname "Old Ironsides".
White oak was chosen for the hull due to its strength and durability. The wood was sourced from the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) in Crane, Indiana, where a dedicated grove of 150 white oak trees was established for the USS Constitution. The trees were cut at specific times of the year to accommodate the endangered Indiana Bat, which nests in the area during the summer.
Over time, maintaining the hull with solid wood hull planks has become increasingly challenging. During the 1992-1995 restoration, the Navy acquired live oak through donations due to its limited commercial availability. Today, the hull of the USS Constitution has been replaced with Douglas fir, while the original white oak hull is preserved.
Key Traits of the 1987 Constitution
You may want to see also
Live oak was used for the centre vertical layer of the hull
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 constructed between 1794 and 1797 and was one of six ships commissioned by President George Washington to combat French privateers during the Quasi-War with France and to defeat the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War.
The USS Constitution's hull was built 21 inches thick, with a length of 175 feet between perpendiculars and an overall length of 204 feet. The ship's construction required 60 acres of trees, including pine and oak. 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 live oak gave the ship its iron-like strength and earned it its nickname, Old Ironsides, during its battle with HMS Guerriere in 1812. The live oak used for the centre vertical layer of the hull was sourced from southern live oak trees cut from Gascoigne Bluff and milled near St. Simons Island, Georgia. Enslaved workers were used to harvest the oak used for the ship's construction.
The process of obtaining live oak for the USS Constitution's hull has evolved over time. In 1976, CDR Tyrone G. Martin, the commanding officer of the Constitution, dedicated the ceremonial "Constitution Grove" at Naval Support Activity Crane in Indiana. This grove included 150 white oak trees spread over 64,000 acres, specifically designated for the Constitution's restoration. The harvesting of these trees must consider the presence of the endangered Indiana Bat, which nests under the bark and in hollowed-out trees during the summer.
Today, the Navy acquires live oak through donations and collaborations with the private and public sectors. The hull of the USS Constitution remains made of white oak, while the deck, ceiling, and deck beams have been replaced with Douglas fir.
Exploring the USS Constitution: What's Original?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Longleaf pine was used for the ship's beams and decks
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 constructed between 1794 and 1797 and was one of six ships commissioned in 1794 by President George Washington. The USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts.
Longleaf pine was used for the ships' beams and decks. This type of tree grew mostly in the southern United States, and the longleaf pine used to build the USS Constitution came from South Carolina. Longleaf pine is a strong and durable wood, making it well-suited for use in ship construction. It is also resistant to rot and insect damage, which helps to extend the lifespan of the ship.
The use of longleaf pine for the beams and decks of the USS Constitution contributed to the ship's overall strength and durability. The beams, in particular, provided structural support and helped to distribute the weight of the ship's rigging and cargo. The decks, on the other hand, needed to be strong enough to withstand the constant foot traffic and the weight of any cargo or equipment stored on them.
In addition to longleaf pine, other types of wood used in the construction of the USS Constitution included white oak and live oak for the hull, and Lignum vitae for the rigging components such as sheaves, blocks, belaying pins, and deadeyes. The use of these different types of wood, each with its own unique properties, contributed to the overall strength, durability, and performance of the ship.
Over the years, the USS Constitution has undergone multiple restorations and repairs to maintain its structural integrity. During these restoration projects, the Navy has had to source wood that matches the original materials, both in terms of type and quality. This has become increasingly challenging as some of the original wood species, such as live oak, are no longer commercially available.
Civil War's Impact on the US Constitution
You may want to see also
Black locust wood was used for the wooden pegs
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 constructed between 1794 and 1797 and was one of six ships commissioned by President George Washington to combat French privateers during the Quasi-War with France and to defeat the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War.
The USS Constitution's hull was originally made of white oak and live oak. The hull consisted of three layers, with the outer and inner horizontal layers made of white oak and the center vertical layer made of live oak. The ship's beams and decks were made of longleaf pine, which mostly grew in the southern states, specifically South Carolina, in the case of the USS Constitution.
The ship's rigging components, such as sheaves, blocks, belaying pins, and deadeyes, were made of Lignum vitae, a type of wood that is one of the hardiest and heaviest types of wood, growing primarily in the Caribbean Islands and South America.
The choice of black locust wood for the wooden pegs was a deliberate one, as this type of wood is known for its strength and durability. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is a type of hardwood that is native to the southeastern United States. It has a high resistance to decay and insect damage due to its high tannin content. The wood is also very strong and flexible, making it ideal for use in shipbuilding. The use of black locust wood for the wooden pegs helped to ensure the structural integrity of the USS Constitution, contributing to its longevity and making it a powerful and formidable ship.
Founding Principles: Our Constitution's Core Values
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate with a hull made of white oak and live oak. The ship's beams and decks were made of longleaf pine.
Secretary of War Henry Knox described the wood used in the construction of the six frigates as "the best white oak". The wood was chosen for its size and clarity, and it was a paramount concern for the ship's survival.
The USS Constitution was commissioned by President George Washington in 1794 to help combat French privateers during the Quasi-War with France. The ship's hull was built with white oak from Indiana and live oak from Georgia.
The USS Constitution is 207 feet (63.1 meters) long, with a width of 43 feet 6 inches (13.26 meters). It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.
