USS Constitution: Difference between revisions
CSV import |
CSV import |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[ | [[File:USS Constitution fires a 17-gun salute.jpg|thumb]] [[File:USS Constitution crest.png|thumb]] [[File:USS Constitution fires its cannons as it is tugged through Boston Harbor. (51200023793) (cropped).jpg|thumb]] [[File:Constitution1803.jpg|thumb]] {{Infobox ship | ||
| name = USS Constitution | | name = USS Constitution | ||
| image = | | image = | ||
| | | caption = | ||
| | | ship_name = USS Constitution | ||
| | | ship_ordered = 1794 | ||
| | | ship_builder = Edmund Hartt's Shipyard, Boston, Massachusetts | ||
| ship_launched = October 21, 1797 | |||
| | | ship_acquired = | ||
| | | ship_commissioned = July 22, 1798 | ||
| | | ship_decommissioned = | ||
| | | ship_recommissioned = | ||
| | | ship_out_of_service = | ||
| | | ship_in_service = | ||
| | | ship_homeport = Boston, Massachusetts | ||
| ship_status = Active | |||
| | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''USS Constitution''' is a wooden-hulled, three-masted | The '''USS Constitution''' is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. She is the world's oldest ship still afloat. Launched in 1797, she was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the [[Naval Act of 1794]] and the third constructed. The name "Constitution" was among ten names submitted to President [[George Washington]] by Secretary of War [[Timothy Pickering]] in March 1795. | ||
== Design and Construction == | == Design and Construction == | ||
The | The USS Constitution was designed by naval architect [[Joshua Humphreys]] as a heavily armed frigate capable of defeating any other frigate while outrunning larger ships of the line. Her design included a length of 204 feet, a beam of 43.5 feet, and a displacement of 2,200 tons. The ship's hull was constructed from a combination of white oak, live oak, and pine, with copper fastenings provided by [[Paul Revere]]. | ||
Construction began in 1794 at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The ship was launched on October 21, 1797, and commissioned on July 22, 1798, with Captain [[Samuel Nicholson]] in command. | |||
== Early Service == | == Early Service == | ||
Constitution's | The USS Constitution's early service included patrols and convoy duties during the [[Quasi-War]] with France. She captured several French vessels and protected American merchant shipping from French privateers. | ||
== War of 1812 == | == War of 1812 == | ||
The USS Constitution | The USS Constitution gained fame during the [[War of 1812]] against the United Kingdom. Under the command of Captain [[Isaac Hull]], she defeated the British frigate HMS Guerriere on August 19, 1812. This victory earned her the nickname "Old Ironsides" as cannonballs seemed to bounce off her thick wooden hull. | ||
She continued to serve with distinction, capturing the HMS Java on December 29, 1812, under the command of Captain [[William Bainbridge]]. These victories boosted American morale and established the USS Constitution as a symbol of American naval prowess. | |||
== Later Service and Preservation == | == Later Service and Preservation == | ||
After the War of 1812, Constitution | After the War of 1812, the USS Constitution served as a flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons. She was retired from active service in 1855 and served as a training ship during the [[American Civil War]]. | ||
In the 20th century, the ship underwent several restorations to preserve her as a museum ship. She is berthed at the [[Charlestown Navy Yard]] in Boston, Massachusetts, where she remains a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of American naval heritage. | |||
== | == Also see == | ||
* [[Naval Act of 1794]] | * [[Naval Act of 1794]] | ||
* [[Joshua Humphreys]] | * [[Joshua Humphreys]] | ||
* [[War of 1812]] | * [[War of 1812]] | ||
* [[Charlestown Navy Yard]] | * [[Charlestown Navy Yard]] | ||
* [[American Civil War]] | |||
[[Category:United States Navy | {{Naval ships of the United States}} | ||
[[Category:1797 ships]] | |||
[[Category:Frigates of the United States Navy]] | |||
[[Category:War of 1812 ships of the United States]] | [[Category:War of 1812 ships of the United States]] | ||
[[Category:Ships built in Boston]] | [[Category:Ships built in Boston]] | ||
[[Category:Museum ships in Massachusetts]] | [[Category:Museum ships in Massachusetts]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:34, 9 December 2024
_(cropped).jpg)
The USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. She is the world's oldest ship still afloat. Launched in 1797, she was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and the third constructed. The name "Constitution" was among ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering in March 1795.
Design and Construction[edit]
The USS Constitution was designed by naval architect Joshua Humphreys as a heavily armed frigate capable of defeating any other frigate while outrunning larger ships of the line. Her design included a length of 204 feet, a beam of 43.5 feet, and a displacement of 2,200 tons. The ship's hull was constructed from a combination of white oak, live oak, and pine, with copper fastenings provided by Paul Revere.
Construction began in 1794 at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. The ship was launched on October 21, 1797, and commissioned on July 22, 1798, with Captain Samuel Nicholson in command.
Early Service[edit]
The USS Constitution's early service included patrols and convoy duties during the Quasi-War with France. She captured several French vessels and protected American merchant shipping from French privateers.
War of 1812[edit]
The USS Constitution gained fame during the War of 1812 against the United Kingdom. Under the command of Captain Isaac Hull, she defeated the British frigate HMS Guerriere on August 19, 1812. This victory earned her the nickname "Old Ironsides" as cannonballs seemed to bounce off her thick wooden hull.
She continued to serve with distinction, capturing the HMS Java on December 29, 1812, under the command of Captain William Bainbridge. These victories boosted American morale and established the USS Constitution as a symbol of American naval prowess.
Later Service and Preservation[edit]
After the War of 1812, the USS Constitution served as a flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons. She was retired from active service in 1855 and served as a training ship during the American Civil War.
In the 20th century, the ship underwent several restorations to preserve her as a museum ship. She is berthed at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts, where she remains a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of American naval heritage.
