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The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a 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 was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The USS Constitution was designed by Joshua Humphreys, an American shipbuilder and naval architect. Humphreys was commissioned in 1794 to design six frigates for the newly formed U.S. Navy, becoming the first American naval construction contractor. His design called for a ship that was longer and broader than usual, lower in the water, and able to match the speed of any fighting ship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Joshua Humphreys |
| Profession | American shipbuilder and naval architect |
| Date of Birth | June 17, 1751 |
| Place of Birth | Haverford Township, Pa., U.S. |
| Date of Death | January 12, 1838 |
| Place of Death | Haverford, Pa. |
| Known For | Designing the USS Constitution and five other frigates for the U.S. Navy |
| Design Features | Hybrid hull design, combining French and British shipbuilding techniques, added "diagonal riders" to increase hull stiffness |
| Design Tools | Wooden draughting curves |
| Design Influence | European shipbuilders |
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What You'll Learn
Joshua Humphreys was the architect
Humphreys' design for the USS Constitution was innovative and influential. He created a hybrid hull design that incorporated French shipbuilding techniques for speed and inshore manoeuvrability with the structural standards of British naval architects. This resulted in a ship with great speed, manoeuvrability, and gun power, as well as the ability to withstand close combat. To further enhance the ship's strength and stability, Humphreys added a unique feature to the hull: a series of 12 diagonal stressed members, known as "diagonal riders," which increased the stiffness of the wooden walls.
The USS Constitution was launched in 1797 and became one of the first formidable weapons of war for the young country. It was larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period, with a hull built 21 inches thick. The ship's fine fighting and sailing qualities were a result of Humphreys' design, which prioritized speed, stability, and gun power to compensate for the naval superiority of hostile powers and pirates.
Humphreys was assisted in his task by skilled naval architects and draftsmen, including Josiah Fox and William Doughty. Together, they decided on the shape, form, and capabilities of the USS Constitution, which would go on to have a significant impact on naval warfare and influence European shipbuilders. Today, the USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat, a testament to the enduring legacy of Joshua Humphreys' design and architectural skills.
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He was America's first naval construction contractor
Joshua Humphreys, born on June 17, 1751, in Haverford Township, Pennsylvania, was America's first naval construction contractor. He was commissioned in 1794 to design six frigates for the newly formed U.S. Navy, including the USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides." The USS Constitution, launched in 1797, was the third ship constructed among the six original frigates authorized by the Naval Act of 1794.
Humphreys' designs revolutionized naval warfare by creating ships that were longer and broader than usual, lower in the water, and incredibly stable. This allowed them to match the speed of any fighting ship while carrying more guns on a single deck, providing superior firepower and maneuverability. His designs were influenced by both French and British naval architecture, combining speed, inshore maneuverability, and robust structural standards.
One of Humphreys' unique design features was the addition of "diagonal riders," a series of 12 diagonal stressed members (six on each side) that backed up the hull and increased the overall stiffness of the wooden walls. This innovation enhanced the ship's durability in close battles. The USS Constitution's fine sailing qualities and superior performance were a result of Humphreys' innovative design, which played a pivotal role in establishing America's naval power and protecting its merchant vessels.
Humphreys' work extended beyond the USS Constitution. His other notable ships include the United States, Chesapeake, Constellation, President, and Congress. These vessels were renowned for their speed, individual accomplishments, and the efficiency of their designs, which went on to influence European shipbuilders. Humphreys' contributions as America's first naval construction contractor laid the foundation for the country's naval prowess and its ability to safeguard its interests on the high seas.
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Humphreys' design was influenced by French and British shipbuilding
Joshua Humphreys was the architect of the USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides. He was tasked with designing and constructing six vessels, including the USS Constitution, which was launched in 1797.
Humphreys' design for the USS Constitution was influenced by both French and British shipbuilding techniques. He incorporated design details from French shipbuilding, which was known for combining speed and inshore maneuverability. At the same time, he adopted the robust structural standards of British naval architects. This hybrid hull design resulted in ships with great speed, maneuverability, and gun power, as well as the ability to withstand close-range battles.
Humphreys' design philosophy was shaped by the understanding that the young United States could not compete with European states in terms of naval size. As a result, his frigates were designed to be larger, more heavily armed, and more powerful than standard frigates of the period. He achieved this by using diagonal riders to reinforce the hull and increase the stiffness of the wooden walls. Additionally, he utilized superior materials, such as live oak, white oak, and copper fittings, which contributed to the ship's strength and endurance.
The USS Constitution's hull was built with a thickness of 21 inches (530 mm) and an overall length of 204 feet (62 meters). It had a width of 43 feet 6 inches (13.26 meters) and required 60 acres (24 hectares) of trees for its construction. The combination of Humphreys' innovative design and high-quality materials resulted in a frigate that was superior to any other frigate of its time.
Humphreys' influence extended beyond the USS Constitution's design. He played a crucial role in shaping America's new fighting ships, working alongside skilled naval architects and draftsmen to determine the shape, form, and capabilities of the vessels. His designs set a precedent for the young Navy's capital ships, and his contributions to naval architecture are still recognized today through exhibits and restorations of the USS Constitution.
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The USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston
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 built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. It was launched in 1797 and was the third constructed of the six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The keel of the USS Constitution was laid down on 1 November 1794. The construction cost around $302,000.
The USS Constitution was built under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson, master shipwright Colonel George Claghorn, and Foreman Prince Athearn of the Martha's Vineyard Athearns. Joshua Humphreys designed the USS Constitution and its sister ships to be larger and more heavily armed than the standard frigates of the period. They were designed to be the young Navy's capital ships. The ship's hull was built 21 inches thick, with a length of 204 feet and a width of 43 feet and 6 inches. The primary materials used for construction were pine and oak, including southern live oak cut from Gascoigne Bluff and milled near St. Simons Island, Georgia. Enslaved workers were used to harvest the oak used for the ship's construction.
Edmund Hartt's shipyard, where the USS Constitution was built, was located in the North End of Boston. Boston has been the ship's official home port since its designation by Congressional Act, Public Law 83-523. The USS Constitution has a long history with the city of Boston, with citywide celebrations marking its return to the city in 1897. It has undergone repairs and maintenance in Boston, including routine maintenance and repairs in the 1930s and a restoration in the 1950s.
The USS Constitution has played a significant role in American history, providing protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. It also served as a flagship in the Mediterranean Squadron, protecting vital trade routes and American diplomatic interests during Greece's struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire. The USS Constitution is now a popular tourist attraction, with a privately-run museum located nearby at the Charlestown Navy Yard.
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The ship was constructed with southern live oak
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a 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 was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794.
Joshua Humphreys, an American shipbuilder and naval architect, was commissioned to design the six frigates for the newly formed U.S. Navy. He was tasked with designing ships that were longer, broader, and lower in the water than usual, without compromising on speed. The USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson, master shipwright Colonel George Claghorn, and Foreman Prince Athearn.
The ship's hull was built 21 inches thick, with a length between perpendiculars of 175 feet and an overall length of 204 feet. The primary materials used in its construction were pine and oak, including southern live oak, which was cut from Gascoigne Bluff and milled near St. Simons Island, Georgia. Enslaved workers were used to harvest the oak, with USS Constitution Museum historian Carl Herzog stating that "the forced labor of enslaved people was an expediency that Navy officials and contractors saw as fundamental to the job."
Southern live oak is a type of hardwood that is known for its strength and durability. It was chosen for the construction of the USS Constitution due to its ability to withstand the stresses of sailing and combat. The frames made from this wood helped to make the ship's "ironsides," a term referring to the strength and power of the vessel. The use of southern live oak contributed to the ship's stability and maneuverability, allowing it to carry more guns on one deck than other ships of the period.
Today, the USS Constitution is maintained as a museum ship in Boston, receiving upgrades over the years to preserve it. The ship remains a symbol of America's first generation of warships, built to protect the country's merchant vessels and assert its naval power.
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Frequently asked questions
Joshua Humphreys was the naval architect behind the USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides.
The design of the USS Constitution was influenced by French shipbuilding, which emphasized speed and inshore manoeuvrability, and the structural standards of British naval architects.
Humphreys' design called for ships that were longer, broader, and lower in the water than usual. His ships were more stable and could carry more guns on one deck than other ships could on two.
