Jonah Patel
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. Launched in 1797, it has participated in several wars and conflicts, including the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. The ship was retired from active service in 1881 and now serves as a museum ship, promoting understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through educational programs and events. With ongoing repairs and maintenance, it is unlikely that the USS Constitution will be used in combat again, but it remains a significant part of naval history and continues to be celebrated for its past achievements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current status | Retired from active service in 1881, designated a museum ship in 1907 |
| Recent repairs | Mast makeover in 2023, including repairs to the mainmast and fighting top |
| Construction | Three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate, launched in 1797 |
| Historical significance | The world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat, the only active-duty ship in the US Navy to have sunk an enemy vessel in combat |
| Current condition | Underwent periodic review and repairs due to rot in the masts; missing spars and rigging on the front and rear masts |
| Crew | Approximately 75-80 officers and sailors, including Commander Billie June Farrell |
| Visitor access | Open to the public for tours and visits, with approximately 600,000 visitors annually |
| Maintenance | Undergoes active maintenance and repairs, including firing guns and practicing sail maneuvers |
| Special events | Participates in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events |
| Mission | To promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through educational outreach, historical demonstration, and public participation |
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What You'll Learn
- The USS Constitution is the world's oldest naval warship still afloat
- The ship was retired from active service in 1881 and designated a museum ship in 1907
- The USS Constitution is currently undergoing repairs to its mainmast and fighting top
- The ship's mission is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through educational outreach and historical demonstration
- The USS Constitution was launched in 1797 and was one of six original frigates authorised for construction
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 was launched in 1797 and is the world's oldest naval warship still afloat.
The keel of the USS Constitution was laid in 1794 at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The ship was one of six original frigates authorised for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and was the third to be constructed. The name "Constitution" was one of ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering. Joshua Humphreys designed the frigates to be the Navy's capital ships, so the Constitution and her sister ships were larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period. The ship's hull was built 21 inches thick, with a length of 175 feet between perpendiculars and a total length of 204 feet.
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 was retired from active service in 1881 and served as a receiving ship until it became a museum ship in 1907. In 1940, the Constitution was recommissioned at the request of President Franklin Roosevelt. After World War II, the ship remained at its berth in the Boston Navy Yard and was open to the public.
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 ship is still a fully commissioned Navy ship with a crew of 75 officers and sailors, who participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events while keeping the ship open to visitors. The USS Constitution sailed under its own power for its 200th birthday in 1997 and again in 2012 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of its victory over Guerriere.
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The ship was retired from active service in 1881 and designated a museum ship in 1907
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. It was launched in 1797 and participated in several wars and conflicts, including the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. The ship earned its nickname during a sea battle with the British ship Guerriere in 1812 when cannonballs bounced off its dense white oak hull.
Despite its long and illustrious history, the USS Constitution was eventually retired from active service in 1881. This marked the end of its operational role in the US Navy, which had spanned nearly a century. However, even after its retirement, the ship continued to serve a purpose. It took on a new role as a receiving ship, which it fulfilled for over two decades.
In 1907, the USS Constitution underwent another significant transition. That year, it was designated a museum ship, becoming a floating testament to naval history. This new designation opened the ship up to the public, allowing people to step aboard and imagine the tales it could tell. The USS Constitution's new role as a museum ship not only preserved its physical structure but also ensured that its legacy would endure for generations to come.
As a museum ship, the USS Constitution has continued to undergo maintenance and repairs to preserve its structural integrity. Notably, in 2023, it underwent a major repair project to address rot in its masts. This involved downrigging the ship, removing half of the mainmast, and repairing the spars and rigging. Despite these periodic repairs, the ship remains a fully commissioned Navy vessel with a dedicated crew of active-duty Navy personnel.
Today, the USS Constitution's mission is to promote understanding and appreciation for the Navy's role in both war and peace. It actively participates in educational outreach, historical demonstrations, and public events as part of the Naval History and Heritage Command. The ship is open to visitors year-round, offering free tours that bring to life the stories of its glorious past.
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The USS Constitution is currently undergoing repairs to its mainmast and fighting top
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. It was launched in 1797 and has participated in several wars and conflicts, including the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. The ship was retired from active service in 1881 and now serves as a museum ship, hosting tours and visits for the public.
Despite no longer being in active service, the USS Constitution still undergoes regular maintenance and repairs to ensure its preservation. In August 2023, it was reported that the ship was undergoing major repairs to its mainmast and fighting top. During a periodic review, the crew found rot in the masts, prompting the need for repairs. The ship normally has three masts, and the process of repairing the fighting top required the removal of half of the mainmast.
At the time of the repairs, the front and rear masts were missing their spars and some of their rigging, while the mainmast, which was missing half, was being supported by stays to maintain the ship's structure. The ship's sails, which are crucial to its structure, had been removed, giving it a bare and skeletal appearance.
The USS Constitution is expected to continue hosting tours and visits during the construction and repair process. The crew continues to perform active duties, including firing the guns in the morning and evening, and practicing lowering and raising the sails for when they are reattached. The ship's stated 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.
While the USS Constitution is no longer used in combat, its historical significance is undeniable. The ship's crew of 75 officers and sailors participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events while keeping the ship open to visitors year-round. The ship is a fully commissioned Navy ship, and the assignment is considered special duty for the active-duty Navy personnel who serve on board.
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The ship's mission is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through educational outreach and historical demonstration
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. Launched in 1797, it has participated in several wars and conflicts, including the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. The ship earned its nickname during a sea battle with the British ship Guerriere in 1812 when cannonballs were seen bouncing off its dense white oak hull.
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 active participation in public events as part of the Naval History and Heritage Command. The ship is a fully commissioned Navy vessel with a crew of 75 officers and sailors who participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events while keeping it open to visitors year-round and offering free tours.
The USS Constitution is a three-masted, wooden-hulled heavy frigate. It was retired from active service in 1881 and served as a receiving ship until it became a museum ship in 1907. In 1934, it completed a three-year, 90-port tour of the nation, and it sailed under its own power for its 200th birthday in 1997. The ship underwent repairs in 2023, including work on its mainmast and fighting top, and continues to be carefully maintained.
The ship's crew members actively participate in educational outreach by leading tours and visits, describing life aboard the ship in the 1800s, and demonstrating historical practices such as firing the guns and raising and lowering the sails. The USS Constitution is also involved in public events, such as its participation in the 200th-anniversary commemoration of its victory over Guerriere in 2012.
Through its educational programs and active participation in events, the USS Constitution promotes the understanding of the Navy's role in both historical and modern contexts. By opening its doors to the public and actively involving its crew in educational activities, the ship provides a unique perspective on naval history and heritage, bridging the gap between the past and present roles of the Navy in warfare and peacekeeping.
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The USS Constitution was launched in 1797 and was one of six original frigates authorised for construction
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 Boston Harbour on 21 October 1797, following two failed attempts. It was one of six original frigates authorised for construction by the Naval Act of 1794, and the third to be constructed.
The USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts. Its keel was laid on 1 November 1794, 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 of 175 feet between perpendiculars and an overall length of 204 feet. Its construction utilised pine and oak, with the latter sourced from Gascoigne Bluff and milled near St. Simons Island, Georgia. The USS Constitution was one of the three frigates nearest to completion, along with the United States and Constellation, when Congress agreed to continue funding their construction in 1796.
The name "Constitution" was among ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering in 1795. The frigates were originally designated by letters, but President Washington selected five of the names, including Constitution, United States, and President, as each represented a principle of the United States Constitution. The sixth frigate, Chesapeake, was unnamed until 1799, when it was named by Secretary of the Navy, Benjamin Stoddert.
The USS Constitution's first duties included providing protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. It was retired from active service in 1881 and served as a receiving ship until becoming a museum ship in 1907. Despite being retired, the USS Constitution remains a fully commissioned Navy ship, with a crew of 75 officers and sailors who participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events.
While the USS Constitution has not been used in combat for a significant period, it did undergo an extensive sailing exercise in July 2023, showcasing its sailing capabilities. This event, led by Commander Mike Beck, involved the setting of six sails and escorts from modern US naval combatants.
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Frequently asked questions
The USS Constitution is still a fully commissioned Navy ship with a crew of 75 officers and sailors. However, it was retired from active service in 1881 and now serves as a museum ship.
The USS Constitution sailed under its own power for its 200th birthday in 1997 and again in 2012 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of its victory over Guerriere.
The USS Constitution is currently undergoing repairs to its mainmast and fighting top. The ship is missing its sails, which are crucial to its structure, as the crew found rot in the masts.
The stated mission of the USS Constitution 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.
