Simone Lawson
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat. It was first launched in 1797 and has had 77 commanders in its history. The first captain of the USS Constitution was Captain Samuel Nicholson, who supervised the ship's construction in Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The ship played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Isaac Hull |
| Year of Birth | 1773 |
| Year of Death | N/A |
| Year Commissioned as Lieutenant | 1798 |
| Year Promoted to Master Commandant | 1804 |
| Year Promoted to Captain | 1806 |
| Year Assumed Command of USS Constitution | 1810 |
| Year Relieved of Command of USS Constitution | 1812 |
| Notable Achievements | Sank the British ship HMS Guerriere in 1812, the first frigate-to-frigate action of the War of 1812 |
| Awards and Honours | Gold medal from U.S. Congress, Silver copies for his commissioned officers, $50,000 in prize money for HMS Guerriere's destruction |
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What You'll Learn
Isaac Hull was the first captain of the USS Constitution
Isaac Hull, who would become the first captain of the USS Constitution, began his maritime career as a child. He grew up sailing small boats along the Housatonic River, joining his father in the occasional pursuit of whales in Long Island Sound. Hull's father, Joseph, was an army lieutenant who distinguished himself in the defense of Fort Washington during the Revolutionary War.
In 1798, after the permanent establishment of the United States Navy in the 1790s, Hull was commissioned as a lieutenant and assigned to the newly built USS Constitution, first under the command of Commodore Samuel Nicholson and then under Commodore Silas Talbot.
By 1804, Hull had been promoted to Master Commandant, and by 1806, he had been promoted to Captain. During this time, he commanded the USS Enterprise and the USS Argus, earning a reputation as an effective and reliable commander.
On June 17, 1810, Hull assumed command of the USS Constitution. His time on the ship was eventful, as he famously fought and sank the British ship HMS Guerriere on August 19, 1812, in the first frigate-to-frigate action of the War of 1812. Hull's leadership during this battle was exemplary, as he kept his crew calm and ensured their shots were precise and well-aimed. For his victory, Hull was rewarded by the U.S. Congress with a gold medal, and his crew shared $50,000 in prize money.
After his successful command of the USS Constitution, Hull became commandant of the navy yard at Portsmouth, Maine, for the remainder of the War of 1812. He continued to serve in various naval capacities until his retirement in 1841.
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Hull was promoted to captain in 1806
Isaac Hull, who is chiefly remembered for his command of the USS Constitution, was promoted to captain in 1806. Hull's maritime career began in his childhood, navigating the waters of the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound from his home in Derby, Connecticut. His father, Joseph, was an army lieutenant who distinguished himself in the defence of Fort Washington during the Revolutionary War. Joseph Hull was given command of a flotilla of armed whale boats, which he used to harass British shipping and engage in whaling. Isaac Hull grew up sailing small boats and occasionally joined his father in the pursuit of whales.
Hull was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1798 and assigned to the newly built USS Constitution, first under the command of Commodore Samuel Nicholson and then Commodore Silas Talbot. During this time, Hull made a reputation as an effective and reliable commander. Midshipman Henry Wadsworth, writing in his journal on August 10, 1803, noted:
> "This morning at day light the USS Enterprise being at a distance of several miles discovered a galley at long shot. Captain Hull fired on her & gave chase. She fired to leeward (signal for a friend) but did not heave too. The Enterprise came near her & she hove too: proved to be a Sardinian Galley, last from Civita Vecchia on a cruise 25 oars on each side (Captain Hull imagined) carried about 300 hundred m"
In 1804, Hull was promoted to master commandant and, in 1806, he was promoted to captain. He commanded the schooner USS Enterprise and the brig USS Argus, receiving a promotion to the rank of master commandant on May 18, 1804, and to captain in 1806. On May 7, 1810, Hull was ordered to assume command of the new frigate USS President, but his tenure was short due to Commodore John Rodgers, who had simultaneously been ordered to the USS Constitution. Rodgers made a complaint to Secretary Hamilton that, as a ranking senior naval captain, he should have been given the USS President. Hull was happy to swap, and on June 17, 1810, Rodgers took the USS President while Hull assumed command of the USS Constitution.
The first woman to command the USS Constitution was University of Arkansas alumna Cmdr. Billie J. Farrell, who became the 77th commanding officer of the ship on January 21.
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Hull commanded the USS Enterprise and the USS Argus before the USS Constitution
The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat. Since its launch in 1797, there have been 77 commanders of the ship. The first commander of the USS Constitution was Captain Samuel Nicholson, who supervised the ship's construction.
Before commanding the USS Constitution, Isaac Hull commanded the USS Enterprise and the USS Argus. On November 9, 1803, Hull took command of the USS Argus, relinquishing his command of the schooner USS Enterprise. During his command, the Argus captured a small sloop loaded with earthenware anchored close to the Tripoli coast on April 30, 1804. The Argus arrived at Tripoli in June 1804 in company with the USS Constitution and the USS Enterprise.
The USS Enterprise, originally named Yorktown, is a fictional starship in the Star Trek media franchise. The first appearance of the USS Enterprise was in the original Star Trek television series, which aired from 1966 to 1969. The USS Enterprise has since appeared in nine Star Trek films and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which premiered in 2022.
The USS Argus, on the other hand, was a real ship that was launched in 1803. The Argus participated in several significant events in American naval history, including the capture of Derna in 1805. The Argus was among the ships that escorted the ill-fated USS Intrepid to the entrance of Tripoli harbor. When the Intrepid exploded prematurely, the Argus remained to search for survivors.
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Commodore Silas Talbot was captain before Hull
Commodore Silas Talbot was the first captain of the USS Constitution, assuming command in 1797. Talbot was an experienced naval officer who had previously served as a lieutenant in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. He was known for his skill and bravery in battle, and played a key role in establishing the early United States Navy.
Under Talbot's command, the USS Constitution—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—became one of the most feared ships in the early US Navy. The ship was built with a thick hull made of pine and oak, which gave it its sturdy reputation. Talbot's leadership and the ship's formidable construction played a crucial role in the early days of the new nation's naval history.
Isaac Hull, who is often associated with the USS Constitution, was not the first captain of the ship. Hull joined the USS Constitution under the command of Commodore Talbot, serving as a lieutenant. Hull's career progressed rapidly, and he was promoted to Master Commandant by 1804 and to the rank of captain in 1806. During this period, he commanded the USS Enterprise and the USS Argus, further establishing his reputation as an effective commander.
It was only in 1810 that Hull assumed command of the USS Constitution, taking over from Commodore John Rodgers. Hull's time as captain of the USS Constitution was marked by his victory over the British frigate HMS Guerriere on August 19, 1812, in the first frigate-to-frigate action of the War of 1812. The USS Constitution earned its nickname, "Old Ironsides," during this battle when British cannonballs were seen bouncing off its wooden hull.
In recent years, the USS Constitution has continued to make history. In 2023, University of Arkansas alumna Cmdr. Billie J. Farrell became the 77th commanding officer of the USS Constitution and the first woman to serve as captain in the ship's 224-year history.
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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, in active service since 1797.
The construction of the USS Constitution began in 1794 at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The ship's keel was laid down on 1 November 1794 under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson, master shipwright Colonel George Claghorn, and Foreman Prince Athearn. The hull of the ship was built to be 21 inches (530 mm) thick, with a length of 204 feet (62 meters) and a width of 43 feet 6 inches (13.26 meters). The ship required a significant amount of wood for its construction, with 60 acres (24 hectares) of trees used, primarily pine and oak.
The USS Constitution was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794, and it was the third to be completed. The name "Constitution" was selected from a list of ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering. The design of the frigate was larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of that time, reflecting the young Navy's ambition to establish its capital ships.
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 its nickname, Old Ironsides, during the War of 1812 when British cannonballs were seen bouncing off its wooden hull. The ship's undefeated record and its capture or destruction of 33 opponents contributed to its legacy.
Today, the USS Constitution is a symbol of maritime heritage and naval service. It continues to be preserved and promoted, with Commander Billie J. Farrell, a University of Arkansas alumna, becoming the 77th commanding officer and the first woman to serve as captain in 2024.
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Frequently asked questions
The first captain of the USS Constitution was Commodore Samuel Nicholson.
The USS Constitution first launched in 1797.
There have been 77 commanders of the USS Constitution.
The first female commander of the USS Constitution was Commander Billie J. Farrell.
The nickname of the USS Constitution is "Old Ironsides".
