USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. She was launched in 1797, one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. Constitution is most noted for her actions during the War of 1812 against the United Kingdom. She continued to serve as flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons, and she circled the world in the 1840s.
About USS Constitution in brief
USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. She was launched in 1797, one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and the third constructed. Constitution is most noted for her actions during the War of 1812 against the United Kingdom, when she captured numerous merchant ships and defeated five British warships. She continued to serve as flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons, and she circled the world in the 1840s. Constitution was retired from active service in 1881 and served as a receiving ship until being designated a museum ship in 1907. In 1934, she completed a three-year, 90-port tour of the nation. She sailed under her own power for her 200th birthday in 1997, and again in August 2012 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of her victory over Guerriere. She is usually berthed at Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard at one end of Boston’s Freedom Trail. Her 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 as part of the Naval History & Heritage Command. As a fully commissioned Navy ship, her crew of 60 officers and sailors participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events while keeping her open to visitors year round and providing free tours.
The officers and crew are all active-duty Navy personnel, and the assignment is considered to be special duty. The ship was built at Edmund Hartt’s shipyard in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts. Her design was unusual for the time, being deep, long on keel, narrow of beam, and mounting very heavy guns. The design called for a diagonalriders intended to restrict hogging and sagging while giving the ships extremely heavy planking. It was based on Humphrey’s realization that the fledgling United States could not match the European states in the size of their navies, so they were designed to overpower any other frigate while escaping from a ship of the line. In 1793 alone, 11 American ships were captured and their crews and stores held for ransom. The act provided funds to construct six frigates, but it included a clause that the construction of the ships would be halted if peace terms were agreed to with Algiers. A peace accord was announced in March 1796 and construction was halted by the U.S. and Algier in March 96, prompting some debate and some milled milled and milled in St. Simons, Georgia. In total, 60 acres of trees were needed for her construction, including southern live oak, which was cut from Gascoigne and Bluff Bluff and pine and pine. The hull was 175 inches thick and her length between 21 inches perpendiculars and a 204 ft overall and a width of 43 ft 6in.
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This page is based on the article USS Constitution published in Wikipedia (as of Nov. 24, 2020) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
