Malcolm Rivera
The USS Constitution is a ship of historical and cultural significance. Built in 1794, it is the only surviving vessel of the original six frigates of the US Navy. The ship played a crucial role in the early days of the nation, with a mission to protect American shipping, combat piracy, and prevent the slave trade. Today, the USS Constitution serves as a floating museum, offering educational and outreach programmes to over 500,000 visitors annually. Its restoration and preservation are a testament to the dedication of the US Navy and the public, ensuring that the ship remains a symbol of America's maritime heritage and a link to the Sailors and Marines of the past, present, and future.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat
- It is the only survivor of the US Navy's original six frigates
- It is a national treasure, offering a link to the early years of the US Navy and the nation
- The ship's restoration has been a significant and ongoing project
- The USS Constitution is now primarily used for education and public outreach
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 was launched in 1797, making it over 225 years old. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.
The USS Constitution was one of six original frigates authorised for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and the third to be constructed. The name “Constitution” was among ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering. Joshua Humphreys designed the frigates to be larger, more heavily armed, and more powerfully built than the standard frigates of the period. The ship's hull was built 21 inches thick, with a length of 204 feet and a width of 43 feet. In total, 60 acres of trees were needed for her construction, primarily pine and oak.
The USS Constitution's 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 continued to serve in an active duty capacity until 1882, when it was removed from service and opened to the public in Boston Harbour.
The USS Constitution remains an important part of American naval history and is still a fully commissioned Navy ship with a crew of 75 officers and sailors. Its mission today is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through educational outreach, historical demonstration, and active participation in public events. The ship is open to the public year-round and offers free tours.
The Georgia Constitution of 1777: Its Strengths and Vision
You may want to see also
It is the only survivor of the US Navy's original six frigates
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the only survivor of the US Navy's original six frigates, which were authorised for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The USS Constitution was the third ship to be constructed, with its keel laid down on November 1, 1794, at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts.
The six frigates were designated by the letters A through F until March 1795, when Secretary of War Timothy Pickering prepared a list of ten suggested names for the ships. President George Washington selected five of the names: Constitution, United States, President, and Congress, each of which represented a principle of the United States Constitution, along with Constellation, which was derived from the blazon of the Arms of the United States, "13 stars, forming a constellation." The sixth frigate, Chesapeake, remained nameless until 1799 when Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert designated her namesake as the Chesapeake Bay.
The USS Constitution was built with a hull 21 inches (530 mm) thick and a length of 204 ft (62 m) overall, requiring 60 acres (24 ha) of trees for its construction. The primary materials used 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.
Despite facing deterioration over the years due to limited funds, the USS Constitution has been maintained and restored to its 1812 configuration. It is currently berthed at Pier One of the former Charlestown Navy Yard in Massachusetts and is open to the public year-round, providing tours and educational outreach to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace.
Lewis and Clark's Historic Journey: Constitution in Action
You may want to see also
It is a national treasure, offering a link to the early years of the US Navy and the nation
The USS Constitution is a national treasure, offering a tangible link to the very first years of the US Navy and the nation. Affectionately known as "Old Ironsides", she is the oldest commissioned warship in the world still afloat.
The ship was laid down in Boston on November 1, 1794, under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson, and was one of the first six 44-gun frigates authorized for the newly formed US Navy. President George Washington had signed the "Act to provide a Naval Armament" in 1794, authorizing the purchase or construction of six frigates. The USS Constitution was built using 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.
The USS Constitution's early career was illustrious. She captured her first prize, the French ship Niger, on September 8, 1798, off Charleston. She spent the next two years patrolling around the West Indies, stopping several French ships. She also won a sailing competition against the British HMS Santa Margarita. In 1803, she served as the flagship for Captain Edward Preble, bound for the Mediterranean and operations against the Barbary Pirates in North Africa. She assisted in a larger attack on Tripoli, bombarding the outer defences. During the War of 1812, she defeated the British frigate HMS Guerriere, with a comment after the battle noting that "her sides are made of iron", giving rise to her nickname.
The USS Constitution has undergone numerous restorations over the years, with the first occurring in 1906, bringing back a semblance of her look during her sailing battle career. She was designated "America's Ship of State" in 2009 due to her extraordinary history. Today, she is open to the public year-round, offering a glimpse into the early years of the US Navy and the nation.
Constitution Party: Ever Won a US Election?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The ship's restoration has been a significant and ongoing project
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world. It was built in 1794 and launched in 1797, and its restoration has been an ongoing project for many years. The ship is a source of national pride and a tangible link to the early history of the US Navy and the nation as a whole.
The first restoration of the USS Constitution took place in 1906, ahead of the 100th anniversary of its launch, to restore its appearance during its sailing battle career. Lieutenant John A. Lord supervised another restoration project from 1927 to 1931, gathering wood from across the country. In 1940, President Franklin Roosevelt requested that the USS Constitution be recommissioned, and it served as a flagship during World War II.
In 1954, an Act of Congress made the Secretary of the Navy responsible for the ship's upkeep, and Public Law 83-523 authorised the restoration of the ship to its original condition. In 1972, funds were approved for further restoration, and the ship underwent significant work while in dry dock from 1973 to 1974. Commander Tyrone G. Martin took command in 1974 and set the precedent that all construction work would aim to maintain the ship's 1812 configuration.
The ship entered another period of dry docking and restoration in 2015, lasting 26 months, which included recoppering the hull, rebuilding the quarter galleries, and replacing the trailboards. This work continued the effort to restore the ship to its appearance during the War of 1812. The USS Constitution is now primarily used for education and public outreach, welcoming over 500,000 visitors each year.
The Continuous Body: Understanding Congress' Unique Branch
You may want to see also
The USS Constitution is now primarily used for education and public outreach
The USS Constitution is a testament to the rich maritime heritage and naval history of the United States. Affectionately known as "Old Ironsides", she is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat, having been launched in 1797. The ship holds a significant place in American history as one of the first six frigates authorised for the US Navy by President George Washington in 1794.
The primary mission of the USS Constitution today is education and public outreach, as established by public laws passed by the 83rd, 93rd, and 111th United States Congresses. Public Law 83-523, enacted in 1954, mandated the restoration of the ship to its original condition, with the Navy assuming responsibility for its upkeep. This law also designated Boston as the ship's official home port. The USS Constitution Museum, located nearby at the Charlestown Navy Yard, plays a vital role in preserving and showcasing the ship's history, attracting visitors from around the world.
The ship's educational role is evident in its public accessibility and outreach efforts. The USS Constitution welcomes over 500,000 visitors annually, offering a tangible connection to the early years of the US Navy and the nation's history. The ship's crew engages with over a million people through local outreach initiatives in New England and the Navy Week program across the nation. These interactions foster a deeper understanding of naval heritage and traditions.
The USS Constitution also undertakes a yearly "turnaround cruise" in Boston Harbour, providing the public with a glimpse of its sailing capabilities and demonstrating historical naval procedures, such as gun drills. This cruise is open to the public through a lottery system, ensuring that people from all walks of life have an opportunity to experience the ship's grandeur first-hand.
The ship's restoration and maintenance are ongoing endeavours, with a dedicated team striving to maintain its 1812 configuration. This meticulous preservation work ensures that the USS Constitution remains a living testament to the principles of sovereignty and sea control that continue to guide the US Navy today.
The Texas Constitution: A Unique Blend of Power and Principles
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world. It is also the only survivor of the United States Navy's original six frigates. Its mission was to keep the sea lanes open for commerce, fight pirates, land Marines in trouble spots, and prevent the slave trade. The ship's history and legacy embody the heritage of the U.S. Navy.
The USS Constitution's primary mission has evolved to focus on education and public outreach. It welcomes over 500,000 visitors annually and interacts with millions more through local outreach efforts and participation in the Navy Week program. The ship is maintained and promoted as a living link to the Sailors and Marines of the past, present, and future.
The USS Constitution earned the nickname "Old Ironsides" during the War of 1812 when it defeated the British frigate Guerriere. In a short engagement, the Constitution wrecked Guerriere while suffering only slight damage itself. This led to the comment, "her sides are made of iron," and the nickname "Old Ironsides."
