Isabella Carter
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat. It was launched in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 21, 1797. After being restored between 2015 and 2017, the USS Constitution sailed for the first time in 116 years on July 21, 1997, in celebration of its 200th anniversary. The ship underwent rigorous sail training under Commander Michael Beck's leadership before making its historic voyage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Last sailed | 21 July 1997 |
| Previous sail | 1881 |
| Restoration period | 2015–2017 |
| Undocked | 23 July 2017 |
| First launched | 21 October 1797 |
| Current location | Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston |
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What You'll Learn
- USS Constitution sailed into Marblehead Harbour, Massachusetts Bay, on 21 July 1997
- This was the ship's first sail in 116 years
- The ship was recommissioned in 1940 at the request of President Roosevelt
- USS Constitution was the first US Navy frigate and launched in 1797
- The ship is now berthed at Pier One of the former Charlestown Navy Yard
USS Constitution sailed into Marblehead Harbour, Massachusetts Bay, on 21 July 1997
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", is a ship with a long and illustrious history. It was launched in 1797 and has since seen several battles and undergone numerous repairs. After being retired from active service in 1881 and serving as a receiving ship, the Constitution was designated a museum ship in 1907. However, this was not the end of her sailing days.
In 1991, Commander David Cashman proposed that the Constitution should sail under its own power to celebrate its 200th anniversary in 1997, a proposal that was approved despite the ship not having sailed in over a century. Rigorous preparations were made, including sail training for the crew under Commander Mike Beck using an 1819 Navy sailing manual. On July 20, 1997, the Constitution was towed from Boston to an overnight mooring in Marblehead, Massachusetts.
On July 21, 1997, the USS Constitution sailed into Marblehead Harbour in Massachusetts Bay. This event was witnessed by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide and marked the first time the ship had sailed in 116 years. The Constitution's journey into the harbour was a captivating spectacle, with the ship sailing just outside the harbour. This historic voyage was made possible by the dedication of those who believed in the ship's restoration and the rigorous training of its crew.
The USS Constitution's journey into Marblehead Harbour was not without its challenges. In the past, the ship had faced difficulties with British ships pursuing it, and Marblehead's defences were not considered strong enough to protect the ship from potential attack. However, with the support of the citizens of Marblehead and the expertise of Quartermaster Samuel Harris Green, who directed the helmsmen, the ship was able to safely navigate into the harbour.
Today, the USS Constitution continues to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through educational outreach, historical demonstration, and participation in public events. The ship is open to the public year-round, with a crew of active-duty Navy personnel providing free tours and participating in ceremonies and special events.
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This was the ship's first sail in 116 years
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat. It was launched in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 21, 1797.
On July 21, 1997, the USS Constitution sailed for the first time in 116 years. This was a historic moment, celebrating the 200th anniversary of her launch. The idea for this sail dates back to the late 1980s, but it wasn't until the ship's structural strength was restored in the 1992-1996 restoration that plans for the sail became serious. CDR Michael C. Beck, the ship's captain, led an advisory group to investigate the possibility of taking the ship to sea under sail.
The USS Constitution underwent rigorous sail training in preparation for this event. On the day of the sail, the crew of 150 worked together to set the six sails. At high noon, the ship began to sail unassisted, and a 21-gun salute was fired as the U.S. Navy's "Blue Angels" flew overhead. The ship made 4.5 knots in a 7-knot breeze during its one-hour downwind sail, a testament to its design and sailing rig.
The USS Constitution has a long and illustrious history. After the War of 1812, it was celebrated for its victories but laid up in Boston as it was not needed. Over the years, it underwent various repairs and served in different capacities, including as a floating barracks for sailors awaiting orders. In 1905, there were plans to scuttle the ship, but it was saved due to public sentiment and the efforts of an Armenian immigrant, Moses Gulesian, who offered to buy it. The ship returned to Boston amid fanfare in 1897 and underwent further repairs. Today, it is open to the public and continues to promote understanding of the Navy's role through participation in public events and educational programs.
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The ship was recommissioned in 1940 at the request of President Roosevelt
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.
In 1940, at the request of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the USS Constitution was recommissioned. Roosevelt was a former Assistant Secretary to the Navy and an "Old Ironsides" fan. The ship had experienced deterioration over the years, and with limited funds available, items began to disappear as souvenirs. However, Roosevelt's intervention ensured the ship's preservation. The USS Constitution and the 1854 sloop-of-war Constellation were re-commissioned and designated symbolic flagships of the fleet.
During World War II, the USS Constitution served a unique purpose. It remained at the Charlestown Navy Yard but was used as a place of confinement for officers awaiting courts-martial. After the war, it continued to be open to the public, providing free tours and serving as a living testament to naval history.
The USS Constitution underwent a scheduled restoration in 2015, returning to sea and continuing its mission of promoting understanding through active participation in public events, education, and outreach programs. Its crew of active-duty US Navy sailors participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events, ensuring that the ship remains an integral part of naval heritage and a source of pride for the nation.
The USS Constitution's recommissioning in 1940 at the request of President Roosevelt exemplifies the ship's enduring significance. It serves as a reminder of naval traditions and the nation's commitment to preserving its maritime legacy.
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USS Constitution was the first US Navy frigate and launched in 1797
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest naval warship still afloat. It was the first US Navy frigate and was launched in 1797, on 21 October 1797.
The USS Constitution was one of six frigates authorised by Congress with the passing of the Naval Act of 1794. It was constructed with timbers from Maine to Georgia, as well as copper bolts and spikes supplied by Paul Revere. The ship was built at Edmund Hartt's Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, and was designed by Joshua Humphreys to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period.
The USS Constitution's launching ceremony was attended by President John Adams and Massachusetts Governor Increase Sumner. Upon launch, it slid down the ways only 27 feet (8.2 m) before stopping, as its weight had caused the ways to settle into the ground. After a month of rebuilding, the ship finally slipped into Boston Harbour.
The USS Constitution has had a long and illustrious history, including defeating HMS Guerriere in August 1812 and circumnavigating the globe in a 30-month voyage beginning in March 1845. It has undergone several restorations and repairs, including in 1992, 2015, 2016, and 2017. The ship remains open to the public year-round and is used to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through educational outreach, historic demonstration, and active participation in public events.
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The ship is now berthed at Pier One of the former Charlestown Navy Yard
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 is now berthed at Pier One of the former Charlestown Navy Yard, at the terminus of Boston's Freedom Trail. The ship has a long and illustrious history, having pursued duties in the Mediterranean and the West Indies, and played a role in the Quasi-War with France.
After World War II, the USS Constitution remained at its berth in the Boston Navy Yard, open to the public free of charge. It continued to be commissioned and was assigned a commanding officer and a crew of around 30 sailors to perform maintenance and provide guided tours. The ship underwent repairs and restoration work in the 1970s and again in 2015 and 2016.
Today, the USS Constitution is maintained by the Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston, which works to keep the ship as close as possible to its 1812 configuration. The ship typically makes at least one turnaround cruise each year, during which it is towed into Boston Harbour to perform demonstrations, including a gun drill. These cruises are open to the public via a lottery draw.
The USS Constitution is open to the public year-round, with free tours provided by its crew of active-duty US Navy sailors. The nearby privately run USS Constitution Museum, located at the foot of Pier Two, offers further insights into the ship's history.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution last sailed on July 23, 2017, during its undocking, as part of the 2015-2017 restoration.
Yes, the USS Constitution sailed on July 21, 1997, for the first time in 116 years, celebrating the 200th anniversary of its launch.
The USS Constitution was first launched in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 21, 1797.
The USS Constitution sailed unassisted for the last time in 1881.
