Jonah Patel
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a wooden-hulled frigate launched in 1797. It is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. During its active combat years, it required a crew of 450 to 500, including officers, sailors, and marines. Today, the ship serves as a museum ship in Boston Harbour, with a crew of around 60 to 75 active-duty US Navy sailors who conduct maintenance and provide tours for visitors. The crew of the USS Constitution today consists of a mix of officers and sailors who participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of recommissioning | 1 July 1931 |
| Number of officers and sailors | 60 |
| Number of Marines | 15 |
| Number of enlisted sailors | 75 |
| Number of commissioned officers | 3 |
| Total number of crew | 450-500 |
| Number of crew during the War of 1812 | 480+ |
| Number of crew members serving aboard in 2025 | 60+ |
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What You'll Learn
The USS Constitution's crew has varied over time, from 450 to 60
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", is a sailing warship that was launched in 1797. It is the only surviving vessel of the Navy's original six frigates and is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat. The ship's original mission was to defend American interests and protect sea lanes to ensure commerce. During the War of 1812, the USS Constitution sailed from Boston with over 480 officers, sailors, and marines on board. The ship needed a large number of hands to control the sails and fire the guns, and to navigate any captured enemy vessels. At the time, the average age of the crew was 26 years old, with some sailors as young as 9 and others as old as 52. Most of the crew was from Massachusetts, but there were also crew members from all over the United States, Great Britain, and Western Europe.
Following the War of 1812, the crew of the USS Constitution was reduced. In 1931, when the ship was recommissioned, it had a crew of 60 officers and sailors, 15 marines, and a pet monkey named Rosie. The ship underwent a three-year tour, visiting 90 port cities along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. After the tour, the USS Constitution returned to serving as a museum ship, receiving 100,000 visitors per year.
In the early 21st century, the USS Constitution's crew numbered between 60 and 70 active-duty US Navy sailors. The crew is hand-picked to preserve and protect the ship, while also promoting naval history and maritime heritage. The ship's current mission is to educate the public about the Navy's role in war and peace through active participation in public events and educational programs. As of 2025, Lt. Cmdr. Kylen Lemenager is one of the more than 60 sailors serving aboard the USS Constitution.
The Constitution's Early Beginnings
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The crew's average age was 26, with some as young as 9
The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", is a large and complex sailing warship. It was launched from a Boston shipyard in October 1797 and is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat. It is also the only surviving vessel of the Navy's original six frigates.
During its active combat years, it took a crew of between 450 and 500 to keep the USS Constitution at sea. In addition to the sailors, the crew included officers, warrant officers, petty officers, and Marines.
The average age of the crew was 26, with some sailors as young as 9 and others as old as 52. The majority of boys were in their mid-to-late teens and were considered apprentice seamen, learning the ways of the ship. They performed routine maintenance such as sweeping, scrubbing, and slushing the masts, and also learned rudimentary seamanship, including knots and splices.
Today, the USS Constitution's mission is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through educational outreach, historical demonstration, and participation in public events. The crew, now made up of around 60 to 75 active-duty US Navy sailors, participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events while keeping the ship open to visitors.
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The crew composition included sailors, officers, and Marines
The USS Constitution is a large sailing warship that required a crew of 450 to 500 to keep her at sea during her active combat years. The crew composition included sailors, officers, and Marines.
During the War of 1812, the ship carried more than 480 crew members, including officers, sailors, and Marines. The crew composition varied, but typically about two-thirds were enlisted sailors, with the remaining being Marines and various officers. The officers included the captain, who held ultimate responsibility for the ship and crew, as well as lieutenants, with the senior-most being the first lieutenant (executive officer). The first lieutenant was second-in-command and oversaw the ship's maintenance and smooth running. The master-at-arms acted as the chief of security and taught the use of the ship's arms.
The average age of the crew during the War of 1812 was 26, but some sailors were as young as 9, and others as old as 52. Most of the crew were from Massachusetts, but there were also crew members from across the United States, Great Britain, and Western Europe. The crew included free men of colour, who earned the same wages as their white counterparts. Many of the boys were in their mid-to-late teens and served as apprentice seamen, learning the ways of the ship.
Today, the USS Constitution has a smaller crew of about 60 to 75 active-duty Navy personnel, including officers and sailors, who participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events while keeping the ship open to visitors.
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The sailors were skilled, but likely illiterate
The USS Constitution is a large and complex sailing warship. During its active combat years, it required a crew of 450 to 500 to keep it running at sea. Today, the crew numbers between 60 and 70 men and women.
The crew of the USS Constitution was diverse, with most born in Massachusetts, but also with members from all over the United States, Great Britain, and Western Europe. The crew included free men of color, who earned the same wages as their white counterparts, despite the prevalence of slavery at the time.
The ship's original missions were to defend American interests and protect sea lanes to ensure commerce. Today, the USS Constitution's primary mission is education and outreach, with a focus on promoting naval history and maritime heritage. The current crew is hand-picked to preserve and protect the ship while carrying out this mission.
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The crew endured harsh conditions and strict discipline
The crew of the USS Constitution endured harsh conditions and strict discipline during its active combat years, requiring a crew of 450 to 500 to keep her at sea. The crew quarters were crowded, with over 480 officers, sailors, and marines on board during the War of 1812. The crew was composed of men as young as 9 and others as old as 52, with a typical age of 26. Most were from Massachusetts, but some hailed from all over the United States, Great Britain, and Western Europe. The crew included free men of colour, who earned the same wages as their white counterparts, as well as boys in their mid-to-late teens who served as apprentice seamen. These boys performed routine maintenance and learned seamanship skills.
The crew faced the constant threat of battle, accidents, and disease. They were skilled sailors, but many were likely illiterate. The master-at-arms acted as chief of security, overseeing the confinement of prisoners and the prevention of desertion and smuggling. The first lieutenant was second-in-command and played a crucial role in the ship's organisation and maintenance. The smooth running of the ship relied on his skills and leadership.
The crew worked under strict discipline to ensure the ship's efficiency in both peace and war. Each rank and rate had specific responsibilities, with the captain bearing ultimate responsibility for the ship and crew. The crew's duties included controlling the sails, firing the guns, and navigating captured enemy vessels. They also had to prepare the ship for sea, create inventories, and maintain accounts.
The USS Constitution's crew endured these harsh conditions and strict discipline, contributing to the ship's undefeated record during the War of 1812. Their service helped defend American interests, protect sea lanes, and promote free trade and sailors' rights.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution is a large sailing warship that requires a large crew to keep her at sea. Today, the active-duty US Navy crew numbers between 60 and 70 men and women.
During the War of 1812, the USS Constitution carried more than 480 officers, sailors, and marines.
The mission of the USS Constitution 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 USS Constitution welcomes more than 500,000 visitors aboard each year.
The USS Constitution's primary mission is education and outreach, promoting naval history, and maritime heritage.
