Jonah Patel
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest naval warship still afloat. It was launched in 1797 and is one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the US Naval Act of 1794. The USS Constitution has a rich history, initially protecting American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and playing a role in defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. Despite its age, the ship has proven its longevity, outpacing a tugboat during a voyage in 1865. Today, the USS Constitution serves an educational purpose, promoting an understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through public events, outreach programs, and historical demonstrations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of launch | 1797 |
| Construction | Built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts |
| Hull | Wooden, 21 inches (530 mm) thick |
| Length | 204 ft (62 m) overall, 175 ft (53 m) between perpendiculars |
| Width | 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m) |
| Materials | Pine and oak |
| Crew | Approximately 75 US Navy sailors |
| Mission | Promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through active participation in public events and education |
| Speed | Recorded running at 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) |
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What You'll Learn
- The USS Constitution is the world's oldest naval warship still afloat
- It was designed to be larger and more powerful than European frigates
- It was recommissioned in 1940 and used to hold officers awaiting court-martial
- The ship is open to the public and provides educational programs and tours
- An Act of Congress in 1954 made the Secretary of the Navy responsible for its upkeep
The USS Constitution is the world's oldest naval 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 naval warship still afloat, having been launched in 1797.
The USS Constitution was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794, and the third to be constructed. Its hull was built 21 inches thick, and its length between perpendiculars was 175 feet, with an overall length of 204 feet and a width of 43 feet and 6 inches. The frigate was designed by Joshua Humphreys, who realized that the fledgling United States could not match European states in naval size. Therefore, the USS Constitution was designed to overpower any other frigate while escaping from a ship of the line.
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. Despite its age, the ship has remained in use over the years, undergoing upgrades and repairs. In 1865, during a voyage to Annapolis, the USS Constitution was recorded running at 9 knots, arriving at Hampton Roads ten hours ahead of the tug. In 1940, the ship was recommissioned at the request of President Franklin Roosevelt, and in 1947, the United States Postal Service issued a stamp commemorating the frigate.
Today, the USS Constitution is berthed at Pier One of the former Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. It remains open to the public and offers free tours, with a crew of active-duty US Navy sailors participating in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events. The ship's mission is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through active participation in public events and educational outreach programs.
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It was designed to be larger and more powerful than European frigates
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 and was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. Joshua Humphreys designed the USS Constitution and its sister ships to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period. The frigate was designed to be the young Navy's capital ship.
The USS Constitution was designed to be larger and more powerful than European frigates. It was based on Humphrey's realization that the fledgling United States could not match the European states in the size of their navies. Therefore, the USS Constitution was designed to overpower any other frigate while escaping from a ship of the line. The USS Constitution's hull was built 21 inches (530 mm) thick, and its length between perpendiculars was 175 ft (53 m), with a 204 ft (62 m) length overall and a width of 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m). In total, 60 acres (24 ha) of trees were needed for her construction. The primary materials consisted of pine and oak, including southern live oak, a much heavier and denser hardwood than was easily and widely available to European frigates.
The USS Constitution was rated as a 44-gun frigate but often carried more than 50 guns at a time. During the War of 1812, the ship's battery typically consisted of 30 long 24-pounder (11 kg) cannons, with 15 on each side of the gun deck. The guns and cannons on board were designed to be completely portable and were often exchanged between ships as situations warranted. Each commanding officer outfitted armaments according to their preferences, considering factors such as the overall weight of stores and the complement of personnel aboard.
The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. It is currently berthed at Pier One of the former Charlestown Navy Yard in Massachusetts. The ship is open to the public year-round, and its crew of approximately 75 US Navy sailors participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events. The USS Constitution's mission is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through active participation in public events and educational outreach programs.
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It was recommissioned in 1940 and used to hold officers awaiting court-martial
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 launched in 1797 and was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794.
In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt placed the USS Constitution in permanent commission. The ship was recommissioned at the request of President Roosevelt, who was a former Assistant Secretary to the Navy and an “Old Ironsides” fan. The recommissioning of the USS Constitution took place alongside that of the 1854 sloop-of-war Constellation, and the two ships were designated symbolic flagships of the fleet.
In early 1941, the USS Constitution was assigned the hull classification symbol IX-21 and began to serve as a brig for officers awaiting court-martial. During World War II, the USS Constitution was used as a place of confinement for officers awaiting courts-martial.
After World War II, the USS Constitution remained at her berth in the Boston Navy Yard and was open to the public free of charge. She was maintained by a crew of about 30 sailors who performed maintenance and provided guided tours to visitors. Today, the USS Constitution is still open to the public and offers free tours. Her crew of approximately 75 US Navy sailors participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events.
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The ship is open to the public and provides educational programs and tours
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. The ship has been open to the public since 1941, offering educational programs and tours.
The USS Constitution was launched in 1797 and is one of the six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The ship was designed by Joshua Humphreys, who realized that the young United States could not match the European states in the size of their navies. Therefore, the USS Constitution was designed to overpower any other frigate while escaping from a ship of the line.
The ship's mission is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through active participation in public events and education. The crew of approximately 75 US Navy sailors participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events while keeping the ship open to visitors year-round and providing free tours. The crew members are all active-duty members of the US Navy, and their assignment to the USS Constitution is considered a special duty.
The USS Constitution is berthed at Pier One of the former Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, at the terminus of the Freedom Trail. The ship is open to the public year-round, and visitors can explore the ship's rich history through guided tours. Nearby is the privately run USS Constitution Museum, located in a restored shipyard building at the foot of Pier Two.
The ship has undergone several upgrades and restorations over the years to preserve its structure and ensure its accessibility to the public. In 1940, President Franklin Roosevelt recommissioned the USS Constitution, and it began serving as a brig for officers awaiting court-martial. After World War II, the ship remained at its berth in the Boston Navy Yard, and an Act of Congress in 1954 made the Secretary of the Navy responsible for its upkeep.
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An Act of Congress in 1954 made the Secretary of the Navy responsible for its upkeep
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. An Act of Congress in 1954 made the Secretary of the Navy responsible for the ship's upkeep. This came after years of deterioration and souvenir hunting, which saw items disappear from the ship. To prevent further degradation, the Secretary of the Navy was tasked with ensuring the ship's preservation.
The USS Constitution has a long and illustrious history. Launched in 1797, she was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. The ship was designed by Joshua Humphreys to be a powerful force for the young Navy, outgunning any standard frigate of the time. Her early duties included protecting American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and engaging the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War.
Despite her age, the USS Constitution has proven her endurance. In 1865, during a voyage to Annapolis, she outpaced a tugboat, recording a speed of 9 knots. This event demonstrated her continued seaworthiness and performance. Over the years, the ship has undergone upgrades, including the installation of steam pipes, radiators, and gas lighting, ensuring her functionality into the modern era.
The USS Constitution's current mission is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace. A crew of active-duty US Navy sailors participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events, while also offering free tours of the ship to visitors. She is berthed at Pier One of the former Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, where she remains accessible to the public, sharing her rich history and serving as a testament to America's maritime heritage.
The Secretary of the Navy's responsibility for the upkeep of the USS Constitution ensures that this iconic ship is preserved for future generations. The ship's historical significance and ongoing educational role make it a valuable asset, with her maintenance and preservation being a priority. The Act of Congress in 1954 recognized the importance of maintaining this vessel, entrusting the Secretary of the Navy with the duty of safeguarding her legacy.
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Frequently asked questions
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 a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate. The ship holds significant historical value and is used to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through public events, educational programs, and outreach.
The USS Constitution is currently berthed at Pier One of the former Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston and is open to the public year-round. It underwent a scheduled restoration in 2015 and continues to be maintained, with a crew of active-duty US Navy sailors providing tours and participating in ceremonies and special events.
The USS Constitution has a rich history, including:
- It was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Its early duties included protecting American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and fighting in the First Barbary War against pirates.
- It underwent upgrades in the 19th century, including the addition of steam pipes, radiators, and gas lighting.
- President Franklin Roosevelt requested its recommissioning in 1940, and it served as a brig for officers awaiting court-martial during World War II.
