Simone Lawson
The USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat, has had 77 commanders since its launch in 1797. Commander Billie J. Farrell, a University of Arkansas alumna, became the 77th commanding officer of the USS Constitution on January 21, 2022, and the first woman to serve as captain in the ship's 224-year history. Commander Tyrone G. Martin, who took command in 1974, is another notable captain of the USS Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current captain | Commander Billie J. Farrell |
| Gender of current captain | Female |
| Captain's alma mater | University of Arkansas |
| Captain's rank | 77th commanding officer |
| Previous captain | Commander John Benda |
| Year of previous captain's appointment | 1974 |
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What You'll Learn
- The current captain of the USS Constitution is Commander Billie J. Farrell, the first female commander in the ship's 224-year history
- The USS Constitution has had 77 commanders since it was launched in 1797
- The ship's construction was supervised by Captain Samuel Nicholson
- Commander Tyrone G. Martin was captain from 1974 to 1975
- The USS Constitution earned the nickname Old Ironsides during the War of 1812
The current captain of the USS Constitution is Commander Billie J. Farrell, the first female commander in the ship's 224-year history
The USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat, has had 77 commanders since it was first launched in 1797. Commander Tyrone G. Martin, for instance, became the captain in August 1974. The current captain of the USS Constitution is Commander Billie J. Farrell, who became the ship's 77th commanding officer on 21 January. She is the first female commander in the ship's 224-year history.
Commander Farrell is a University of Arkansas alumna. Her first tour was aboard the USS Vella Gulf as an electrical officer. She then served as an operations division officer before being promoted to navigator for her second tour. Following those two tours, she reported to Commander, Naval Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee, where she was named an action officer in post-selection board matters. During this time, she also assumed the duties of delay section head and assistant board screener.
Farrell expressed her intentions as commander, stating:
> I hope to strengthen the legacy of USS Constitution through preservation, promotion and protection by telling her story and connecting it to the rich heritage of the United States Navy and the warships serving in the fleet today.
The USS Constitution's former commanding officer, Cmdr. John Benda, expressed his confidence in Farrell, stating:
> I know the crew is in great hands with Commander Farrell. This historic barrier is long overdue to be broken. I cannot think of a better candidate to serve as USS Constitution's first female commanding officer. I look forward to watching what she and the crew accomplish in the next few years.
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The USS Constitution has had 77 commanders since it was launched in 1797
The USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat, has had 77 commanders since it was launched in 1797. The ship's construction began in 1794 in Boston, Massachusetts, under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson. The USS Constitution played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855. It earned the nickname "Old Ironsides" during the War of 1812 when British cannonballs were seen bouncing off its wooden hull. The ship was undefeated in battle, having destroyed or captured 33 opponents.
Commander Tyrone G. Martin took command of the USS Constitution in August 1974. He set the precedent that all construction work on the ship was to be aimed at maintaining its 1812 configuration, for which it is most noted. During his tenure, the privately-run USS Constitution Museum opened on April 8, 1976. Commander Martin dedicated a tract of land as "Constitution Grove" one month later, located at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indiana.
In 1998, high schooler Billie J. Farrell posed for a photo beside the USS Constitution, unaware that she would one day command it. On January 21, Commander Billie J. Farrell, a University of Arkansas alumna, became the 77th commanding officer of the USS Constitution and the first woman to serve as captain in the ship's 224-year history. During the change-of-command ceremony, outgoing commander John A. Benda expressed his confidence in Commander Farrell, stating, "I know the crew is in great hands with Commander Farrell. This historic barrier is long overdue to be broken."
The USS Constitution continues to be a proud symbol of American naval history, with Commander Farrell dedicated to strengthening its legacy through preservation, promotion, and protection.
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The ship's construction was supervised by Captain Samuel Nicholson
The USS Constitution was authorised by an act of Congress on 27 March 1794, and six captains were commissioned to oversee the construction of six frigates. Captain Samuel Nicholson was the second senior-most of these captains and supervised the construction of the ship that would become the USS Constitution. The keel was laid down on 1 November 1794 at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The ship's hull was built 21 inches thick, with a length of 175 feet between perpendiculars and an overall length of 204 feet. The primary materials used in her construction were pine and oak, including southern live oak sourced from Georgia.
Captain Nicholson played a crucial role in ensuring the ship's completion and was even present at her launching ceremony on 20 September 1797. However, due to the ship's weight, there were initial difficulties in getting her to slide down the ways, and it wasn't until a month later, on 21 October 1797, that the USS Constitution finally slipped into Boston Harbour. At this point, Captain James Sever officially christened the ship by breaking a bottle of Madeira wine on her bowsprit.
Captain Nicholson's association with the USS Constitution continued after her launch. On 22 July 1798, he commanded the ship on her maiden voyage, patrolling the Eastern seaboard between New Hampshire and New York. During this patrol, he intercepted the French ship Niger, which was sailing under the orders of Great Britain. This incident led to tensions with the Secretary of the Navy, Benjamin Stoddert, who was displeased with Nicholson's performance. Despite this, Nicholson remained an active-duty naval officer throughout his life and oversaw the construction of other vessels, including a 74-gun ship-of-the-line, though that project was ultimately halted.
Captain Nicholson's legacy is not limited to his supervision of the USS Constitution's construction. He also commanded the Boston Navy Yard when it was established in 1800 and remained a prominent figure in naval affairs until his death in Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1811. The USS Nicholson was named in his honour, commemorating his service and that of his family members who also served as naval officers.
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Commander Tyrone G. Martin was captain from 1974 to 1975
Commander Tyrone Gabriel Martin, born on June 5, 1930, in Greenwich, Connecticut, served as the captain of the USS Constitution from 1974 to 1975. He joined the Navy in 1952 and served for twenty-six years, during which he commanded two destroyers on tours of duty off Korea and Vietnam.
Martin became the 58th commanding officer of the USS Constitution on August 6, 1974. During his tenure, he set the precedent that all construction work on the ship would aim to maintain its 1812 configuration, for which it is most noted. Under his leadership, the USS Constitution received its first Meritorious Unit Commendation. Martin was the first captain to receive a decoration for service since Charles Stewart in 1815.
In September 1975, the hull classification of IX-21 was officially canceled. Martin continued to serve as captain until June 30, 1978, when he turned over command of the ship to Commander Robert Leo Gillen. Following his retirement, Martin dedicated his time to writing about the USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides." He authored several books and numerous articles, as well as the “Salty Talk” column in the journal “Naval History."
Commander Martin played a significant role in the United States Bicentennial celebrations in 1976. On July 10, the USS Constitution led a parade of tall ships into Boston Harbor, firing its guns at one-minute intervals for the first time in approximately 100 years. The next day, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited the ship, with Commander Martin and Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf serving as hosts. Martin's contributions to the bicentennial were recognized, and the ship received its first-ever unit commendation.
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The USS Constitution earned the nickname Old Ironsides during the War of 1812
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. It was launched in 1797 and is one of six original frigates authorised for construction by the Naval Act of 1794.
The victory over HMS Guerriere brought the USS Constitution fame and public adoration. The phrase "Old Ironsides" stuck, and it became a beloved nickname for the ship. The nickname was a testament to the ship's sturdy construction and its ability to withstand enemy fire. The USS Constitution's hull was built with thick wood, measuring 21 inches (530 mm) in thickness, and was designed to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of that time.
The USS Constitution's actions during the War of 1812 played a crucial role in shaping its legacy. The capture of multiple enemy ships, including the notable engagement with HMS Guerriere, solidified its reputation as a formidable warship. The ship's performance during this conflict contributed to its enduring place in American naval history and helped preserve it from being scrapped.
Over the years, the USS Constitution has undergone various repairs and restorations to maintain its appearance and seaworthiness. The ship remains in commission as a U.S. Navy warship and is open for tours in Boston. It continues to be a symbol of American naval prowess and a tangible link to the early years of the United States Navy and the nation's history.
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Frequently asked questions
Commander Billie J. Farrell is the current captain of the USS Constitution, becoming the 77th commanding officer of the ship.
Since the ship was first launched in 1797, there have been 77 commanders of the USS Constitution.
Captain James Sever was the first captain of the USS Constitution, breaking a bottle of Madeira wine on her bowsprit during the launching ceremony in 1797.
Commander Tyrone G. Martin became the captain of the USS Constitution in August 1974.
Yes, Commander Billie J. Farrell is the first female captain of the USS Constitution in its 224-year history.
