About the USS Constitution

The USS Constitution is a U.S. Navy ship launched in 1797 that remains on active duty today. It's a three-masted wooden frigate designed to carry 44 guns, but often carried more. Its most famous battles occurred during the War of 1812. Several times during her more than two centuries of duty the ship was scheduled for demolition but was saved by public outcry. Today the Constitution is a floating museum manned by a 60-member U.S. Navy crew.

Origins

The Constitution was constructed following the Naval Act of 1794. She was named after the U.S. Constitution by General George Washington. Construction began in 1794 using white oak, southern live oak and white and longleaf pine. The ship is 204 feet long, 45.2 feet wide and used an estimated 60 acres worth of trees for its construction.

War of 1812

During the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, the lesser-manned and equipped Constitution defeated five British warships. It captured several merchant ships and sent packing the HMS Java, HMS Cyane, HMS Pictou and the HMS Levant. It won a decisive battle against the superior HMS Guerriere that garnered the Constitution the nickname "Old Ironsides" because the iron cannon balls couldn't penetrate the ship's sides.

The Poem

By 1830, the USS Constitution was more than 30 years old, outliving most wooden-hulled ships of the era by 15 years. The ship was ready to be scrapped when Oliver Wendell Holmes published a poem titled "Old Ironsides" in the Boston Advertiser that recalled its glory. The idea of destroying the old ship outraged readers and a campaign was launched to save it. It was dry-docked in 1833 and relaunched a year later at a cost of about $157,000.

Subsequent Service

In 1835, the Constitution took tours in the Mediterranean and the Pacific, performing routine duties and diplomatic missions. As the Pacific Squadron flagship it toured ports on the west side of South America. In 1844, it began a three-year around-the-world trip. It provided provisions in 1846 in anticipation of the war with Mexico.

Restoration

By 1900, the Constitution had been decommissioned, but it won another round of life when Congress authorized its restoration. But the government did not provide funding and left it to the local civic groups to raise money. The efforts failed and Navy Secretary Charles Bonaparte suggested towing it to sea and using it as target practice to sink it. His ill-considered remarks created a new firestorm of protests to save it. Congress relented and authorized $100,000 in restoration funds. In 1907 it opened as a museum ship.

More Work

The ship underwent yet another restoration in 1925 as inspectors found that it was literally falling apart. This time mostly private funds were used. Private donations raised more than $600,000, while Congress authorized $300,000 for the total $946,000 restoration bill. It was launched in 1930 with hot water pipes, showers, modern toilets and electrical wiring. In 1941, the Constitution was placed in permanent commission and Congress in 1954 made the Secretary of the Navy responsible for her upkeep.

Today

The U.S. Navy's policy is to keep the Constitution as close to the original War of 1812 configuration as possible. Her role today is to promote the U.S. Navy in war and peacetime and to conduct education programs and historic demonstrations. All members of the 60-person crew are active duty U.S. Navy personnel. She is berthed at the old Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston and is open for tours.