USS Constitution

USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. She is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat. Launched in 1797, she was one of six original frigates built under the Naval Act of 1794. Designed by Joshua Humphreys, she was larger and more heavily armed than most ships of her time.

During the War of 1812, Constitution became famous for capturing several British ships, including HMS Guerriere, which earned her the nickname "Old Ironsides". Her brave actions helped protect American merchant ships and brought her great popularity.

After many years of service, Constitution was retired in 1881 but became a museum ship in 1907. Today, she works to teach people about the Navy's history. With a crew of active-duty Navy personnel, she offers free tours and takes part in special events. Visitors can see her at Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard, near Boston's Freedom Trail.

Construction

Main article: Original six frigates of the United States Navy

In the late 1700s, sailors from places like Algiers would capture American ships and hold the crew for ransom. To protect American ships, the United States passed a law in 1794 to build six big sailing warships called frigates.

The USS Constitution was built using a special design by Joshua Humphreys. It was made very strong with thick wood and heavy guns. The ship’s construction began in 1794 in Boston, Massachusetts, and used wood from Georgia, including oak cut by enslaved people. Building stopped for a short time when peace was announced, but work continued and the ship was finally launched in October 1797.

Armament

See also: Naval artillery in the Age of Sail

The USS Constitution was known as a 44-gun frigate, but it often carried more than 50 guns. Back then, ships didn’t have fixed guns like today. Captains could change the guns depending on what they needed. During different times, the ship carried many types of guns, such as 24-pounders, 12-pounders, and 32-pounder carronades.

During the War of 1812, the ship usually had 30 long 24-pounder cannons on its main deck and 22 short 32-pounder carronades on the upper deck. Today, all the guns on the USS Constitution are replicas, made to look like the original ones.

Quasi-War

Main article: Quasi-War

President John Adams sent Navy ships to guard against armed French ships and help free any American ships they had taken. The USS Constitution wasn’t ready to sail right away and needed to borrow cannons before it could go out. It finally set sail on July 22, 1798, to patrol along the Eastern seaboard.

During its patrols, Constitution caught a French ship named Niger near Charleston, South Carolina. The ship’s crew was taken prisoner, and Niger was brought to Norfolk, Virginia. Later, Constitution helped protect merchant ships and even had a sailing contest with an English ship, which Constitution won. The ship also recaptured a few American vessels that had been taken by the French. After many patrols and repairs, Constitution returned to Boston.

Captain Silas Talbot then took command and led Constitution on more patrols in the West Indies to stop French ships from attacking American trade. Although Constitution captured some ships, sometimes they had to return them due to rules. The ship continued its patrols until peace was near between the United States and France. Eventually, Constitution returned to Boston for repairs and updates.

First Barbary War

See also: First Barbary War

The United States paid money to the Barbary States to keep American ships safe during the Quasi-War. In 1801, the leader of Tripoli wanted more money and demanded a large payment. President Thomas Jefferson sent a group of ships to protect American ships and try to make peace.

The first group of ships did not do well, so a new leader took command. The ship USS Constitution joined the group and helped protect American ships. There were many exciting moments, including when Constitution met another ship and showed it who was in charge. The ships worked to free American ships held by the leader of Tripoli and helped make a peace treaty.

War of 1812

See also: War of 1812

The Constitution was recommissioned in December with Captain John Rodgers again taking command to oversee a major refitting. She was overhauled at a cost just under $100,000. Isaac Hull took command in June 1810, and he immediately recognized that she needed her bottom cleaned. Hull departed for France on 5 August 1811, transporting the new Ambassador Joel Barlow and his family; they arrived on 1 September. Hull remained near France and the Netherlands through the winter months, continually holding sail and gun drills to keep the crew ready for possible hostilities with the British. War was declared on 18 June and Hull put to sea on 12 July.

Hull put to sea on 12 July, attempting to join the five ships of a squadron under the command of Rodgers in President. He sighted five ships off Egg Harbor, New Jersey, on 17 July and at first believed them to be Rodgers' squadron but, by the following morning, the lookouts determined that they were a British squadron out of Halifax. Constitution was becalmed and unable to run from the five British ships, but Hull acted on a suggestion from his First Lieutenant Charles Morris. The British ships soon imitated the tactic and remained in pursuit.

Constitution arrived in Boston on 27 July and remained there just long enough to replenish her supplies. Hull sailed without orders on 2 August to avoid being blockaded in port, heading on a northeast route towards the British shipping lanes near Halifax and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Constitution captured three British merchantmen, which Hull burned rather than risk taking them back to an American port. On 16 August, he learned of a British frigate 100 nmi (190 km; 120 mi) to the south and sailed in pursuit.

Constitution vs. Guerriere

A frigate was sighted on 19 August and subsequently determined to be HMS Guerriere under Captain James Dacres. Guerriere opened fire upon entering range of Constitution, doing little damage. After a few exchanges of cannon fire between the ships, Captain Hull maneuvered Constitution into an advantageous position within 25 yards of Guerriere. He then ordered a full double-loaded broadside, which took out Guerriere's mizzenmast. With the ships locked together, both Hull and Dacres ordered boarding parties into action, but the sea was heavy and neither party was able to board the opposing ship.

At one point, the two ships rotated together counter-clockwise, with Constitution continuing to fire broadsides. When the two ships pulled apart, the force of the bowsprit's extraction sent shock waves through Guerriere's rigging. Her foremast collapsed, and that brought the mainmast down shortly afterward. Guerriere was now a dismasted, unmanageable hulk with close to a third of her crew wounded or killed, while Constitution remained largely intact. Dacres was eventually brought onto Constitution where he presented his sword to Hull as a sign of surrender, but Hull refused to accept it saying he could not accept the sword from a man who had fought so gallantly.

Hull had surprised the crew of Guerriere with his ship's heavier broadsides and sailing ability. An American sailor reportedly exclaimed "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!" and Constitution acquired the nickname "Old Ironsides". The battle left Guerriere so badly damaged that she was not worth towing to port, and Hull ordered her to be burned the next morning, after transferring the British prisoners onto Constitution. Constitution arrived back in Boston on 30 August, where Hull and his crew found that their news of their victory spread fast, and they were hailed as heroes.

Constitution vs Java

William Bainbridge, senior to Hull, took command of "Old Ironsides" on 8 September and prepared her for another mission in British shipping lanes near Brazil, sailing with Hornet on 27 October. They arrived near São Salvador on 13 December, sighting HMS Bonne Citoyenne in the harbor. Constitution sailed offshore in search of prizes, leaving Hornet to await the departure of Bonne Citoyenne. On 29 December, she met with HMS Java under Captain Henry Lambert. At the initial hail from Bainbridge, Java answered with a broadside that severely damaged Constitution's rigging. She was able to recover, however, and returned a series of broadsides to Java. A shot from Java destroyed Constitution's helm (wheel), so Bainbridge directed the crew to steer her manually using the tiller for the remainder of the engagement. Bainbridge was wounded twice during the battle. Java's bowsprit became entangled in Constitution's rigging, as in the battle with Guerriere, allowing Bainbridge to continue raking her with broadsides. Java's foremast collapsed, sending her fighting top crashing down through two decks below.

Bainbridge drew off to make emergency repairs and re-approached Java an hour later. She was a shambles, an unmanageable wreck with a badly wounded crew, and she surrendered. Bainbridge determined that Java was far too damaged to retain as a prize and ordered her burned, but not before having her helm salvaged and installed on Constitution. Constitution returned to São Salvador on 1 January 1813 to disembark the prisoners of Java, where she met with Hornet and her two British prizes. Bainbridge ordered Constitution to sail for Boston on 5 January, being far away from a friendly port and needing extensive repairs, leaving Hornet behind to continue waiting for Bonne Citoyenne in the hopes that she would leave the harbor, though she did not. Constitution arrived in Boston on 15 February to even greater celebrations than Hull had received a few months earlier.

Marblehead and blockade

Bainbridge determined that Constitution required new spar deck planking and beams, masts, sails, and rigging, as well as replacement of her copper bottom. However, personnel and supplies were being diverted to the Great Lakes, causing shortages that kept her in Boston intermittently with her sister ships Chesapeake, Congress, and President for the majority of the year. Charles Stewart took command on 18 July and struggled to complete the construction and recruitment of a new crew, finally making sail on 31 December. She set course for the West Indies to harass British shipping and had captured five merchant ships and the 14-gun HMS Pictou by late March 1814. She also pursued HMS Columbine and HMS Pique, though both ships escaped after realizing that she was an American frigate.

Her mainmast split off the coast of Bermuda on 27 March, requiring immediate repair. Stewart set a course for Boston, where British ships HMS Junon and Tenedos commenced pursuit on 3 April. Stewart ordered drinking water and food to be cast overboard to lighten her load and gain speed, trusting that her mainmast would hold together long enough for her to make her way into Marblehead, Massachusetts. Upon Constitution's arrival in the harbor, the citizens of Marblehead rallied in support, assembling what cannons they possessed at Fort Sewall, and the British called off the pursuit. Two weeks later, Constitution made her way into Boston, where she remained blockaded in port until mid-December.

HMS Cyane and HMS Levant

Main article: Capture of HMS Cyane

Captain George Collier of the Royal Navy received command of the 50-gun HMS Leander and was sent to North America to deal with the American frigates targeting British shipping. Meanwhile, Charles Stewart saw his chance to escape from Boston Harbor and made her good on the afternoon of 18 December, and Constitution again set course for Bermuda. Collier gathered a squadron consisting of Leander, Newcastle, and Acasta and set off in pursuit, but he was unable to overtake her. On 24 December, Constitution intercepted the merchantman Lord Nelson and placed a prize crew aboard. Constitution had left Boston not fully supplied, but Lord Nelson's stores supplied a Christmas dinner for the crew.

Constitution was cruising off Cape Finisterre on 8 February 1815 when Stewart learned that the Treaty of Ghent had been signed. He realized, however, that a state of war still existed until the treaty was ratified, and Constitution captured the British merchantman Susanna on 16 February; her cargo of animal hides was valued at $75,000.

On 20 February, Constitution sighted the small British ships Cyane and Levant sailing in company and gave chase. Cyane and Levant began a series of broadsides against her, but Stewart outmaneuvered both of them and forced Levant to draw off for repairs. He concentrated fire on Cyane, which soon struck her colors. Levant returned to engage Constitution but she turned and attempted to escape when she saw that Cyane had been defeated. Constitution overtook her and, after several more broadsides, she struck her colors. Stewart remained with his new prizes overnight while ordering repairs to all ships. Constitution had suffered little damage in the battle, though it was later discovered that she had twelve 32-pound British cannonballs embedded in her hull, none of which had penetrated. The trio then set a course for the Cape Verde Islands and arrived at Porto Praya on 10 March.

The next morning, Collier's squadron was spotted on a course for the harbor, and Stewart ordered all ships to sail immediately; he had been unaware until then of Collier's pursuit. Cyane was able to elude the squadron and make sail for America, where she arrived on 10 April, but Levant was overtaken and recaptured. Collier's squadron was distracted with Levant while Constitution made another escape from overwhelming forces.

Constitution set a course towards Guinea and then west towards Brazil, as Stewart had learned from the capture of Susanna that HMS Inconstant was transporting gold bullion back to England, and he wanted her as a prize. Constitution put into Maranhão on 2 April to offload her British prisoners and replenish her drinking water. While there, Stewart learned by rumor that the Treaty of Ghent had been ratified, and set course for America, receiving verification of peace at San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 28 April. He then set course for New York and arrived home on 15 May to large celebrations. Constitution emerged from the war undefeated, though her sister ships Chesapeake and President were not so fortunate, having been captured in 1813 and 1815 respectively. Constitution was moved to Boston and placed in ordinary in January 1816, sitting out the Second Barbary War.

Mediterranean Squadron

Charlestown Navy Yard's commandant Isaac Hull directed a refitting of Constitution to prepare her for duty with the Mediterranean Squadron in April 1820. Constitution otherwise experienced an uneventful tour, sailing in company with Ontario and Nonsuch, until crew behavior during shore leave gave Jones a reputation as a commodore who was lax in discipline. Constitution arrived in Boston on 31 May 1824, and Jones was relieved of command. Thomas Macdonough took command and sailed on 29 October for the Mediterranean under the direction of John Rodgers in North Carolina. With discipline restored, Constitution resumed uneventful duty. Macdonough resigned his command for health reasons on 9 October 1825. Constitution put in for repairs during December and into January 1826, until Daniel Todd Patterson assumed command on 21 February. By August, she had been put into Port Mahon, suffering decay of her spar deck, and she remained there until temporary repairs were completed in March 1827. Constitution returned to Boston on 4 July 1828 and was placed in reserve.

Old Ironsides

USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, was built in 1797. At the time, ships were expected to last only 10 to 15 years. In 1830, there were plans to scrap Constitution, but a famous poem called "Old Ironsides" by Oliver Wendell Holmes sparked public support to save her. She began repairs and, over the years, served in many important roles.

Constitution traveled to many places, including France, the Mediterranean, the Pacific, and around the world. She helped make treaties and visit important leaders. During the Civil War, she was used as a training ship for new sailors. Though she faced many challenges, including storms and repairs, Constitution continued to serve until she was too old and needed more care. She was moved to museums where people could visit and learn about her history.

Museum ship

In 1900, Congress decided to restore Constitution, but they didn’t provide money for it at first. A group called the Massachusetts Society of the United Daughters of the War of 1812 tried to raise money, but they couldn’t. In 1903, the president of the Massachusetts Historical Society asked Congress to help fix up Constitution and put her back in service.

In 1905, the Secretary of the Navy suggested using Constitution as a target for practice and letting her sink. A businessman from Worcester, Massachusetts, wanted to buy her for $10,000, but the government said no. His campaign to save her grew, and people all over the country protested. This led Congress to give $100,000 for her restoration in 1906. By 1907, Constitution started serving as a museum ship where people could take tours.

On December 1, 1917, she was renamed Old Constitution so her name could be used for a new battlecruiser. The new ship was never built, and in 1925, Old Constitution got her name back.

1925 restoration and tour

In 1924, inspectors found Constitution in very bad shape. Water had to be pumped out every day to keep her from sinking, and parts of her were rotting. They decided she needed major repairs, estimated to cost $400,000. Schools helped raise money, and people bought paintings of the ship to support the effort. After raising over $600,000, Congress gave more money to finish the work. The restoration cost $946,000.

Work began in 1927. They found old wood in Florida that had been cut years before but never used. In 1930, Constitution came out of the dock, and about 85% of her had been replaced to make her seaworthy again. She had new pipes, bathrooms, lights for visitors, and navigation tools.

In 1931, Constitution started a three-year tour of the United States with stops in 90 cities along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. She visited places from Bar Harbor, Maine, to Bellingham, Washington. Over 4.6 million people saw her during the tour. She returned to Boston in 1934.

1934 return to Boston

After the tour, Constitution went back to being a museum ship in Boston, getting about 100,000 visitors a year. In 1938, during a big storm, she broke free from her dock but only had minor damage.

In 1940, she was recommissioned along with another ship at President Franklin Roosevelt’s request. In 1947, the post office issued a stamp to honor her. In 1954, Congress made the Navy responsible for her care, and she had to stay in Boston. In 1960, she was named a National Historic Landmark. In 1963, she had four months of repairs.

Restoration

In 1970, inspectors found she needed repairs, though not as many as in the 1920s. In 1972, funds were approved, and she went into dry dock in 1973. They replaced rotted wood and she reopened to visitors in 1975.

Bicentennial celebrations

In 1974, preparations began for the United States Bicentennial. In 1976, a museum opened, and Constitution led a parade of tall ships in Boston Harbor. She fired her guns and gave a 21-gun salute to Queen Elizabeth II when she visited. Over 900,000 people visited that year.

1992–1995 dry docking and reconstruction

In 1992, Constitution went into dry dock for inspections and repairs. They used special technology to check her wood and found hidden problems. They replaced old parts and made her stronger. The $12 million project finished in 1995.

Sailing on 200th anniversary

In 1997, Constitution sailed on her own for the first time in 116 years to celebrate her 200th anniversary. She was towed to open water, set her sails, and sailed for 40 minutes, reaching a speed of 4 knots. Navy ships honored her, and she gave a 21-gun salute to the nation when she returned to Boston.

Present day

The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, works to help people learn about the Navy's role in both war and peace. The ship takes part in public events and offers educational programs. About 75 Navy sailors work on the ship, and they keep it open for visitors all year. These sailors are active-duty Navy members, and their job on the Constitution is considered special duty.

The Constitution is docked at Pier One in the old Charlestown Navy Yard and is open to visitors year-round. It is part of the Freedom Trail in Boston, between Copp's Hill Burying Ground and the Bunker Hill Monument. Nearby is the USS Constitution Museum, located in a restored shipyard building. The ship usually makes a "turnaround cruise" each year, moving into Boston Harbor for demonstrations before returning to its dock.

The Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston looks after the ship's maintenance and restoration, keeping it close to how it looked in 1812. The ship spent time in dry dock for restoration, and after repairs, it sailed again under its own power in 2012. The ship returned to the water after another restoration in 2017. In 2022, Billie J. Farrell became the first woman to command the Constitution.

Commanders

Since Constitution was launched in 1797, she has had 78 different commanders over the years.