Isabella Carter
The USS Constitution, nicknamed Old Ironsides, is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. It was constructed in Boston in 1797 and was one of the first men-of-war in the United States Navy. The ship's exploits during the War of 1812 made her famous, particularly her capture of five warships, including HMS Guerriere, which earned her the nickname Old Ironsides. The Constitution was retired from active service in 1881 and became a museum ship in 1907. She remains in commission as a U.S. Navy warship and is open for tours in Boston.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of construction | 1797 |
| Location of construction | Boston |
| Year of first sail | 1798 |
| Year of retirement | 1881 |
| Year of designation as a museum ship | 1907 |
| Year of opening of the USS Constitution Museum | 1972 |
| Year of the first sail in 116 years | 1997 |
| Year Constitution was towed to an overnight mooring in Marblehead, Massachusetts | 20 July |
| Year Constitution sailed under her own power | 2012 |
| Nicknames | Old Ironsides, Eagle of the Sea, America's Ship of State |
| Warships captured during the War of 1812 | HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane, Levant |
| First commanding officer | Captain Samuel Nicholson |
| Current location | Charlestown Navy Yard in the waters of the Boston harbor |
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What You'll Learn
- The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat
- The ship was constructed in Boston in 1797
- It was one of the first six 44-gun frigates authorised for the US Navy
- The ship's nickname Old Ironsides was earned after defeating HMS Guerriere in 1812
- The USS Constitution is now a floating museum of naval history in Boston Harbour
The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat
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, constructed in Boston in 1797. It was one of the first six 44-gun frigates authorized for the U.S. Navy and one of the United States Navy's first men-of-war.
The ship's keel was laid down on November 1, 1794, at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson, master shipwright Colonel George Claghorn, and Foreman Prince Athearn of the Martha's Vineyard Athearns. The hull was built 21 inches thick, with a length of 175 feet between perpendiculars and a width of 43 feet 6 inches. The Constitution was launched on September 20, 1797, but stalled partway down. It finally reached the water on October 21, 1797, and after a period of fitting out, travelled to the Caribbean with Captain Nicholson during the Quasi-War with France.
The Constitution is most noted for its actions during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom, when it captured numerous British merchant ships and five warships: HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane, and Levant. Its capture of Guerriere earned it the nickname "Old Ironsides", as many of the British ship's cannonballs bounced off the Constitution's hull, leading an American sailor to exclaim, "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!". The public adoration for the ship saved it from scrapping multiple times.
The Constitution continued to serve as a flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons and circled the world in the 1840s. During the American Civil War, the ship served as a training ship for the United States Naval Academy. It was retired from active service in 1881 and served as a receiving ship until becoming a museum ship in 1907. In 1934, it completed a three-year, 90-port tour of the nation, and in 1940, it was recommissioned at the request of President Franklin Roosevelt. The ship sailed under its own power for its 200th birthday in 1997 and again in 2012 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of its victory over Guerriere.
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The ship was constructed in Boston in 1797
The USS Constitution, nicknamed "Old Ironsides", was constructed in Boston in 1797. It is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. It was one of the United States Navy's first men-of-war, and one of the original six 44-gun frigates authorised for the U.S. Navy. The ship was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts. Its 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.
The ship's exploits during the War of 1812 made her the stuff of legend. In a battle with the British ship Guerriere, the Constitution emerged victorious, despite the British ship's superior firepower. Many of Guerriere's shots rebounded harmlessly off the Constitution's hull, leading an American sailor to reportedly exclaim: "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!" This earned the ship its famous nickname, "Old Ironsides".
The Constitution continued to serve as a flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons and circled the world in the 1840s. During the American Civil War, the ship served as a training ship for the United States Naval Academy. In 1878, the Constitution carried American artwork and industrial displays to the Paris Exposition. The ship was retired from active service in 1881 and served as a receiving ship until being designated a museum ship in 1907.
The USS Constitution has undergone several repairs and restorations over the years to preserve its historical significance. In 1992, the ship underwent a comprehensive structural restoration and repair. In 2015, it entered Dry Dock 1 in Charlestown Navy Yard for a two-year restoration program. The ship remains in commission as a U.S. Navy warship and is open for tours in Boston, offering a tangible link to the early history of the Navy and the United States.
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It was one of the first six 44-gun frigates authorised for the US Navy
The USS Constitution, nicknamed "Old Ironsides", was one of the first six 44-gun frigates authorised for the US Navy. The ship was constructed in Boston and launched in 1797, making it one of the United States Navy's first men-of-war. The Constitution was designed by architect Joshua Humphreys and Captain Thomas Truxtun. It was one of six frigates authorised by Congress with the passage of the Naval Act of 1794. The construction of the six frigates was spread out across six different shipyards along the US Atlantic coast, which increased overall costs. The shipyards were located in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston, New Hampshire, New York, and Gosport (Norfolk, Virginia).
The Constitution was first launched in 1797, but it stalled partway down and finally reached the water in October of that year. After a period of fitting out, the ship travelled to the Caribbean with Captain Samuel Nicholson during the Quasi-War with France. On September 8, 1798, the Constitution captured its first prize, the French ship Niger, off Charleston. The ship then spent the next two years patrolling around the West Indies, stopping several French ships. The Constitution also won a sailing competition against the British HMS Santa Margarita.
The Constitution is most notably recognised for its actions during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom, where it captured numerous British merchant ships and five warships: HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane, and Levant. Its capture of the Guerriere earned it the nickname "Old Ironsides" due to the ship's heavier broadsides and sailing ability. Many of the Guerriere's shots rebounded off the Constitution's hull, leading to an American sailor exclaiming, "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!".
The Constitution continued to serve as a flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons and circled the world in the 1840s. During the American Civil War, the ship served as a training vessel for the United States Naval Academy. In more recent years, the Constitution has been open to visitors, offering tours and educational outreach to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace.
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The ship's nickname Old Ironsides was earned after defeating HMS Guerriere in 1812
The USS Constitution, constructed in Boston in 1797, is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. It was one of the first men-of-war in the United States Navy and played a significant role during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom.
On August 19, 1812, the Constitution encountered the British warship HMS Guerriere about 600 miles east of Boston. After a violent exchange of cannon fire, the Constitution emerged victorious, with only slight damage, while the Guerriere was left severely damaged. This unexpected victory played a crucial role in boosting the morale of the young American republic and uniting the nation behind the war effort. The Constitution's resilience and ability to withstand the British cannonballs earned it the nickname "Old Ironsides". An American sailor reportedly exclaimed, "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!"
The nickname "Old Ironsides" became a symbol of the ship's strength and endurance. The public adoration for the ship was so strong that it was repeatedly saved from scrapping. Over the years, the Constitution underwent various repairs and restorations, always with a focus on preserving its appearance from 1812, especially after its triumph over the Guerriere, which gave it its iconic nickname.
The Constitution continued its illustrious career well beyond the War of 1812. It served as the flagship of the Navy's Mediterranean Squadron and later became a training ship during the American Civil War. In 1881, it was retired from active service and served as a receiving ship until it was designated a museum ship in 1907. Even today, the Constitution remains a national treasure, open for tours in Boston, a testament to its enduring legacy.
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The USS Constitution is now a floating museum of naval history in Boston Harbour
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat, having been constructed in Boston in 1797. It was one of the first men-of-war in the United States Navy and played a significant role during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom, capturing numerous British merchant ships and warships. The ship's sturdy oak hull, which caused British cannonballs to rebound harmlessly, earned it its famous nickname. The public adoration for "Old Ironsides" helped save it from scrapping multiple times.
The USS Constitution was retired from active service in 1881 and served as a receiving ship until 1907 when it was designated a museum ship. Today, it is a floating museum of naval history, moored in Boston Harbour. The museum offers a unique and engaging experience for visitors of all ages, with games, exhibits, and a mini-golf course adjacent to the museum. The site is a popular attraction, with over 900,000 visitors touring the ship in the year Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited in 1976.
The USS Constitution Museum, which operates independently, provides a wealth of information and artefacts related to the ship's crew and its history. Visitors can learn about the diverse individuals who served aboard the ship, including a Greek orphan who began a 53-year naval career at the age of ten and a twelve-year-old boy who was blown overboard during a boiler explosion. The museum also showcases portraits, wooden cutouts of reenactors, and a film that introduces the ship's history, making it accessible to visitors with no prior knowledge.
In addition to its museum duties, the USS Constitution periodically comes to life, taking short cruises into Boston Harbour. Active-duty Navy midshipmen and historical reenactors, some in period garb, man the ship during these excursions, firing celebratory blanks. The ship also participates in special events, such as leading the parade of tall ships during Operation Sail and rendering a 21-gun salute to Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia during a state visit from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
The USS Constitution is more than just a museum; it is a national treasure that offers a tangible connection to the early years of the United States Navy and the nation's history. It proudly bears the name of the document that every sailor pledges their allegiance to when joining the Navy. The ship's president, Anne Grimes Rand, emphasises the importance of the USS Constitution as a non-political symbol that all Americans can be proud of.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution got its nickname "Old Ironsides" in August 1812 after it defeated HMS Guerriere.
During the battle, the Constitution's hull proved to be incredibly durable, with 18-pound iron cannonballs launched by Guerriere bouncing off its sides. A sailor on the Guerriere exclaimed, "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!".
The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat, constructed in Boston in 1797. It was one of the first men-of-war in the United States Navy. The ship saw significant action during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom, capturing numerous British merchant ships and warships. After the war, it continued to serve as a flagship and circled the world in the 1840s. During the American Civil War, it served as a training ship.
The USS Constitution sailed under its own power for its 200th birthday in 1997.
The USS Constitution is currently located in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston Harbor, serving as a museum ship and a memorial to naval history.
