Eleanor Finch
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest naval warship still afloat. It was launched in 1797 and was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. Joshua Humphreys designed the USS Constitution and its sister ships to be larger and more heavily armed than the standard frigates of the period. The USS Constitution was initially armed with muzzle-loaded smoothbore guns. These guns were completely portable and could be exchanged between ships as needed. The guns and cannons on the USS Constitution changed often, and records of these changes were rarely kept.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ship Name | USS Constitution |
| Nickname | Old Ironsides |
| Construction Began | 1 November 1794 |
| Launched | 21 October 1797 |
| Armament (original) | 55 guns, a mix of 24-pounder long guns and 32-pounder & 42-pounder carronades |
| Armament (current) | 30 functional guns: 24-pounder long guns and 32-pounder carronades |
| Muzzle-loading Guns | Yes; the original armament consisted of muzzle-loading cannons and carronades |
| Breech-loading Guns | None when constructed; some guns were replaced with breech-loading weapons in the 19th century |
| Sailing Speed | Up to 13 knots (maximum speed during her prime) |
| Active Service | 1797-1881 (various deployments and roles) |
| Battles | Notable engagements include the Quasi-War, the First Barbary War, the War of 1812, and anti-slavery missions |
| Current Status | Museum ship and active US Navy vessel; the oldest commissioned naval vessel in the world |
Explore related products
$29.44 $34.99
$9.99
$68.95
What You'll Learn
The USS Constitution was designed to be heavily armed
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, was one of six frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. Designed by Joshua Humphreys, the USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The frigate was designed to be the Navy's flagship, and as such, was larger and more heavily armed than the standard frigate of the period. The USS Constitution was rated as a 44-gun frigate, but often carried more than 50 guns.
The guns and cannons on board were designed to be portable and were often exchanged between ships as needed. Each commanding officer outfitted armaments according to their preferences, taking into account factors such as the weight of stores, personnel aboard, and planned routes. This meant that the armaments on the USS Constitution changed frequently, and records of these changes were rarely kept. However, in a letter dated November 14, 1804, the ship is listed as having 30 24-pounder guns, 14 12-pounder guns, and eight 32-pounder carronades, for a total of 52 guns.
During the War of 1812, the USS Constitution's battery typically consisted of 30 long 24-pounder cannons, with 15 on each side of the gun deck. The ship's hull was built to be 21 inches thick, and its length between perpendiculars was 175 feet, with an overall length of 204 feet and a width of 43 feet, 6 inches. The USS Constitution was constructed primarily from pine and oak, including southern live oak, and was first launched in 1797.
Today, the USS Constitution is maintained as closely as possible to its 1812 configuration, with the ship typically making at least one "turnaround cruise" each year, during which it performs underway demonstrations, including a gun drill. The ship is now the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.
Understanding the Bottom of the Pyramid Market
You may want to see also
Guns and cannons were portable and interchangeable
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 frigate was launched in 1797 and was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794.
The USS Constitution was originally rated as a 44-gun frigate but often carried more than 50 guns at a time. The guns and cannons on board were designed to be portable and interchangeable. Each commanding officer outfitted armaments according to their preferences and requirements, taking into account factors such as the weight of stores, personnel on board, and planned routes. This meant that the armaments on ships changed frequently, and records of these changes were not typically kept.
For example, in a letter dated November 14, 1804, the USS Constitution is listed as having thirty 24-pounders, fourteen 12-pounders, and eight 32-pounder carronades, totalling 52 guns. During the War of 1812, the ship's battery typically consisted of 30 long 24-pounder cannons, with 15 on each side of the gun deck.
The guns aboard the USS Constitution have been replicas since the restoration work carried out between 1927 and 1931. Most of these guns were cast in 1930, with the exception of two carronades on the spar deck, which were cast in 1983. During the 1973-1976 restoration, a modern 40 mm saluting gun was installed to restore the ship's ability to fire ceremonial salutes.
Georgia's Red Light Laws: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Commanders could choose armaments
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, was one of six frigates authorized for construction by an act of Congress in 1794. It was designed by Joshua Humphreys to be larger and more heavily armed than the standard frigate of the period. The USS Constitution was launched in 1797 and was armed with muzzle-loaded smoothbore guns.
At the time, ships had no permanent battery of guns, and the guns and cannons were designed to be portable and were often exchanged between ships as needed. As a result, commanders could choose armaments to their liking, considering factors such as the weight of stores, personnel on board, and planned routes. This meant that the armaments on ships like the USS Constitution changed frequently, and records of these changes were not typically kept.
A letter from 1804 lists the USS Constitution as having thirty 24-pounders, fourteen 12-pounders, and eight 32-pounder carronades, totaling 52 guns. During the War of 1812, the ship typically carried 30 long 24-pounder cannons, with 15 on each side of the gun deck.
The USS Constitution is now maintained as close as possible to its 1812 configuration, and during its annual "turnaround cruise" in Boston Harbor, it performs a gun drill, firing its guns at one-minute intervals.
Texas Constitution: Impact on the Court System
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Muzzle-loading guns had a higher rate of fire
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It was launched in 1797 and was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. It was armed with 44 guns, but often carried more than 50 guns at a time.
Muzzle-loading guns were the most common type of firearm before the mid-19th century. They were loaded by inserting ammunition from the front end of the barrel, which could be complicated due to rifling and often caused clogging and cleaning issues. Muzzle-loading firearms generally use round balls, cylindrical conical projectiles, and shot charges. The loading process involves first pouring gunpowder into the barrel, then placing the projectile or shot charge, and finally using a ramrod to pack everything down before initiating the firing mechanism.
Breech-loading guns, on the other hand, are loaded from the rearward, open end of the barrel. They became more common in the early 18th century, with one example belonging to Philip V of Spain, manufactured around 1715. Breech-loading guns have the advantage of reduced reloading time, as it is quicker to load ammunition into the chamber than to reach to the front end of a long tube, especially when the projectile fits tightly and the tube has spiral ridges from rifling. Breech-loading guns also have improved power, range, and accuracy, and they expose their crews to hostile fire less than muzzle-loading guns. Turrets for breech-loading guns can also be smaller since the gun doesn't need to be retracted for loading.
While muzzle-loading guns may have a higher rate of fire in certain situations, such as with the Minié ball in the middle of the 19th century, the overall trend shows that breech-loading guns generally have a higher rate of fire. The improvements in breech-loading technology, especially in the period from 1860 to 1880, led to their widespread adoption and the eventual decline of muzzle-loading guns.
Basement Tax Breaks: What Qualifies as Finished in New Jersey?
You may want to see also
Breech-loading guns reduced exposure to hostile fire
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 and was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. It was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The USS Constitution was rated as a 44-gun frigate, but it often carried more than 50 guns. Each commanding officer outfitted armaments according to their preferences, taking into account factors such as the weight of stores, personnel on board, and planned routes.
Breech-loading guns played a significant role in reducing the exposure of crews to hostile fire. In contrast to muzzle-loading guns, where ammunition is loaded from the front end of the barrel, breech-loading guns are loaded from the rearward, open end. This design feature meant that crews no longer needed to stand in front of the gun to load ammunition, thereby decreasing their exposure to enemy fire.
The development of breech-loading guns also brought about improvements in the power, range, and accuracy of firearms. The shot could now fit tightly within the bore, enhancing accuracy and range. Additionally, the elimination of the need to ram ammunition down a long barrel resulted in reduced reloading times.
The advantages of breech-loading guns were recognized in the 18th century, with the creation of the Ferguson rifle, a breech-loading flintlock firearm, in 1772. However, it was the Prussian "Needle Gun" in 1841 and the Norwegian "Kammerlader" in 1842 that marked the first standard adoption of breech-loading rifles by armies.
The challenges associated with sealing the breech in larger firearms were eventually overcome with the development of the interrupted screw. The advent of breech-loading guns not only improved firepower but also facilitated advancements in firearm designs, leading to the creation of repeating and self-loading firearms.
A Constitution: Foundation for a Fair and Just Society
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution was armed with both muzzle-loaded and breech-loaded guns.
Breech-loaded guns generally have a higher rate of fire than muzzle-loaded guns and expose their crew to less hostile fire.
Turrets had to be made larger to accommodate breech-loaded guns compared to muzzle-loaded guns of a similar size.
No, the guns and cannons on the USS Constitution were designed to be portable and were often exchanged between ships as needed.
