Jonah Patel
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest naval warship still afloat. Built in Boston, Massachusetts, and launched in 1797, the USS Constitution played a significant role in the Quasi-War with France and the First Barbary War. Over time, the ship fell into disrepair, and in 1924, the Secretary of the Navy, Curtis D. Wilbur, sought to restore the vessel. He appointed a committee to lead a fundraising campaign, with the idea of encouraging schoolchildren across the country, particularly in Boston, to contribute pennies towards the restoration. This Pennies for Old Ironsides campaign successfully raised $154,000, with additional funds coming from souvenir sales and other donations, ensuring the ship's preservation for future generations.
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What You'll Learn
Boston schoolchildren's donations to the USS Constitution
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, 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.
In 1924, the USS Constitution was in dire need of repairs and restoration. The Secretary of the Navy, Curtis D. Wilbur, requested a $400,000 donation from Congress to fund the renovations. Wilbur also suggested that it would be "a fine gesture" for the American people, "particularly the school children," to contribute small donations toward the restoration. He envisioned each of the country's 16 million schoolchildren donating two and a half cents, which would collectively amount to a significant sum and foster a sense of patriotic duty.
In 1925, Congress authorized the Navy to collect funds for the USS Constitution, and Wilbur appointed Rear Admiral Louis de Steiguer to lead the National Save Old Ironsides campaign committee. Despite opposition from some school authorities, the committee successfully engaged schoolchildren in the fundraising efforts, with programs and presentations about "Old Ironsides." The penny campaign among schoolchildren raised $148,000 to $154,000, depending on the source.
The National Save Old Ironsides Committee employed various fundraising strategies, including souvenir sales, print sales, and other donations. The three main sources of revenue were the pennies campaign, other donations, and souvenir and print sales, collectively raising a net total of $617,000.
The USS Constitution underwent several restorations, including one in 1995, enabling it to sail under wind power for its bicentennial celebration. Once again, schoolchildren participated in a penny donation campaign to raise funds for the sails required to outfit the ship in its battle configuration.
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The 'Old Ironsides' nickname
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 USS Constitution earned its nickname, Old Ironsides, during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom. During this war, the USS Constitution captured numerous British merchantmen and five warships: HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane, and Levant. The capture of HMS Guerriere was particularly notable as it showcased the USS Constitution's resilience. Many of the Guerriere's shots had rebounded harmlessly off the Constitution's hull, leading to an exclamation from an American sailor: "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!". This unexpected victory against a British frigate helped unite America behind the war effort and made Commander Hull a national hero.
The USS Constitution's triumph over HMS Guerriere not only earned it the nickname "Old Ironsides" but also contributed to its status as a naval icon. The ship's popularity and the public adoration it received played a crucial role in saving it from scrapping multiple times.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the USS Constitution underwent repairs and restoration, with funds raised through campaigns such as the National Save Old Ironsides campaign, which encouraged school children to donate pennies towards the restoration. The ship was further maintained and upgraded in the 1950s, ensuring its survival into the present day.
Today, the USS Constitution, or Old Ironsides, can be visited at the former Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, serving as a testament to its long and illustrious history.
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Congress's funding of the USS Constitution's repairs
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. It was launched in 1797 and constructed in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1906, Congress appropriated funding not exceeding $100,000 for the repairs and restoration of the USS Constitution. However, by 1924, the ship's condition had deteriorated significantly. Water had to be pumped out of her hold daily to keep her afloat, and her stern was at risk of falling off. The Board of Inspection and Survey recommended repairs costing an estimated $400,000.
Secretary of the Navy Curtis D. Wilbur proposed that the funds be raised privately, and Congress authorised him to form a committee to lead the restoration efforts. The National Save Old Ironsides campaign committee, headed by Rear Admiral Louis de Steiguer, was appointed to raise funds from various sources, including school children who were encouraged to donate pennies towards the restoration. The campaign raised $154,000 through the pennies campaign, with additional funds generated from souvenir sales and other donations. Despite these efforts, the total amount raised was still short of the required sum.
Ultimately, Congress approved up to $300,000 to complete the restoration, ensuring that the USS Constitution could be preserved and continue to serve as a naval icon. Following her successful repair, the USS Constitution embarked on a tour of ports along the East and West Coasts during the early 1930s, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors.
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The National Save Old Ironsides campaign committee
The campaign committee was formally appointed and led by Rear Admiral Louis de Steiguer in March 1925, following Congress's authorisation of the Navy to collect funds for the ship's restoration. The initial idea, as envisioned by the Secretary of the Navy, Curtis D. Wilbur, was to "popularize the campaign among the school children of the country and obtain from them in small sums the amount necessary," with the plan being for each of the estimated 16 million school children to contribute two and a half cents, raising awareness of their patriotic duties.
Despite opposition from many school authorities, the committee raised $154,000 through the pennies campaign, a remarkable achievement considering the logistics involved. The campaign was successful in reaching millions of people and inspiring them to act as advocates for the USS Constitution, which had become a symbol of America's victories and history.
In addition to the pennies campaign, the committee also raised funds through the sale of souvenirs made from parts of the ship that had been removed, such as pieces of wood, bookends, and miniature cannons. The souvenir campaign brought in over $240,000, contributing to the total of $617,000 raised by the committee after expenses.
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The USS Constitution's history
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 in Boston, Massachusetts. It was built at Edmund Hartt's Shipyard in the North End of Boston and was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The name "Constitution" was among ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering. Joshua Humphreys designed the frigates to be larger and more heavily armed than the standard frigates of the period. The USS Constitution's hull was built 21 inches thick, with a length of 204 feet and a width of 43 feet 6 inches. The ship's first duties were to provide protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and to defeat the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War.
After the War of 1812, the Constitution was celebrated for its victories but was not needed. It was laid up in Boston and required various repairs. Throughout the ship, hull planking, framing, decks, and beams, as well as interior carpentry, were repaired or replaced.
In 1905, the ship was again saved from destruction. In 1924, Congress authorized the Navy to collect funds for the Constitution, and a campaign was launched to raise money for repairs and restoration. Schoolchildren were encouraged to donate pennies towards the cause, and other souvenirs and memorabilia were sold. The campaign raised over $600,000, and the ship was restored and recommissioned in 1931.
The USS Constitution has continued to undergo restoration and repairs over the years, including in 1940, 1954, 1995, and 2015. It remains open to the public at the former Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston and serves as a symbol of the United States' naval history.
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Frequently asked questions
Boston schools collected pennies for the USS Constitution in 1925.
The money collected by Boston schools was used to restore the USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", which was deemed unfit for service in 1896.
The penny campaign raised $154,000, with each of the 16,000,000 school children contributing two and a half cents.
