 |
|
"Old
Ironsides" from a James Madison Center photographic
slide. |
"Old Ironsides" is 200 years old.
She is considered the original ship because the keel is original.
This proud lady fought for our freedom 200 years ago. Huzzah!
Built in Boston to defend the young American
nation, U.S.S. Constitution is nearly as old as the
document for which George Washington and Congress named her.
Both the document and the ship have proven to be resilient symbols
of America's strength, courage, and liberty.
Made from more than 1,500 trees, with timbers
felled from Maine to Georgia and armed with cannons cast in
Rhode Island and copper fastenings provided by Paul Revere,
the vessel is truly a national ship. Launched in Boston on October
21, 1797, she first put to sea in 1798. Having remained a part
of the U.S. Navy since that day, Constitution is the
oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world.
Her first mission, during the late 1790's,
was to guard American commerce in the Caribbean against French
depredations. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sent her to
the Mediterranean to protect American ships and seamen from
attack by the Barbary pirates. With Captain Edward Preble in
command, Constitution and other ships of the squadron
bombarded Tripoli. Thanks to such determination, a treaty of
peace was signed in June 1805 between the United States and
Tripoli aboard Constitution. After returning to the
United States, Constitution was named flagship of the
North Atlantic Squadron. In 1810, her new captain, Isaac Hull,
took her to sea.
On August 19, Southeast of the Gulf of St.
Lawrence, a sail was sighted. Constitution made for
her with all sails set. It proved to be HMS Guerriere,
the British 38-gun frigate. When Constitution was still
far astern, the British begin firing. Constitution
bore down upon the enemy in silence. Impatiently the men stood
at their quarters, the gunners awaiting the order to fire. Not
until the ships were fairly abreast did Captain Hull give the
word, 'Now, boys, pour it into them!' A whole broadside struck
Guerriere, and then another.
In 20 minutes her mizzenmast went over. Constitution
passed ahead and sent a raking broadside crashing down the entire
length of the enemy's decks, which cut away much of the rigging.
Guerriere's bowsprit fouled in the rigging of Constitution
and both sides tried to board, but the sea was too heavy. Guerriere
fired point blank into the cabin of Constitution and
set it on flame, but the flames were quickly extinguished. As
the ships separated Guerriere's fore and main mast
went by the board and she was left a helpless hulk. Captain
Dacres struck his flag in surrender. Guerriere was
in such a crippled condition that the Americans had to transfer
the prisoners and burn her. The British lost 78 killed-and wounded
while the Americans lost only 14 in this battle which lasted
35 minutes, one of the shortest in history.
The story is told that shots from Guerriere
made no impression upon the outside planking of Constitution,
but fell into the sea, whereupon one of the British sailors
shouted, "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!" Thus
Constitution earned the renowned title of "Old
Ironsides."
It was a dramatic victory for America and for
Constitution. In half an hour, the United States "rose
to the rank of a first-class power" and the country was
fired with fresh confidence and courage. More importantly the
union was greatly strengthened.
Less than five months later on December 29,
Constitution, then commanded by Commodore William Bainbridge,
won a similar victory over the 38-gun frigate JAVA about 30
miles off Brazil. Firing started with broadsides from both ships.
Constitution had her wheel shot away early and had
to do some clever maneuvering to avoid being raked.
During the battle, Constitution's
helm was destroyed. So, 49 marines were sent to the tiller room
where they steered the ship manually until the battle was over.
The American gunnery proved superior and in two hours Java
was completely dismasted and helpless. Captain Lambert, her
Commanding Officer, was mortally wounded, and his successor
surrendered. The marines were sent to Java to gain
supplies and they brought back Java's two-wheeled helm.
Java, hopelessly wrecked and with 161 killed or wounded,
met the same fate as Guerriere. Constitution
suffered 34 casualties, including a wounded Captain. At the
end of February, Constitution returned to Boston, where
there was great rejoicing over her victory.
The ship then underwent an overhaul. When again
ready to fight, "Old Ironsides" was shut in the Boston
harbor for eight and a half months by the strenuous British
blockade except for a short cruise under Captain Charles Stewart.
Finally, taking advantage of bad weather and poor visibility
in December 1814, Captain Stewart slipped past the enemy. On
February 20, 1815, Constitution had her last great
fight.
Constitution spotted two British ships
off the island of Madeira. The frigate Cyane and the
sloop Levant were smaller and lighter — but their
combined batteries were heavier than Constitution's.
Captain Stewart's very skillful maneuvering, prevented them
from ganging up on him. He was able to position Constitution
where she could fight one ship at a time. Four hours later,
both Levant and Cyane surrendered. Homeward
bound with her two prizes, "Old Ironsides" was chased
by a British squadron, but her good luck and Captain Stewart's
seamanship saved her and her prize Cyane, although
Levant was retaken by the British.
Captain Stewart, having learned that the war
was over, sailed for home and anchored Constitution
in New York on May 15, 1915. Her war service had ended but she
had played a truly glorious part in establishing our freedom
of the seas. The battle-scarred Constitution was laid
up for about six years for extensive repairs, whereupon she
went on two cruises to the Mediterranean.
In 1830, she was reported unseaworthy and condemned
to be broken up. A poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., entitled
"Old Ironsides," aroused such popular feeling that
money was appropriated for rebuilding her in 1833 (see poem).
She became the first ship to enter the John Quincy Adams Drydock
at the former Boston Navy Yard. This drydock also has the distinction
of having Constitution as the last ship to be overhauled
within her walls in 1974. From 1835 to 1855, Constitution
made numerous voyages, the most important being her cruise around
the world in 1844-45, under Captain John Percival, when she
covered 52,279 miles in 495 days at sea. At Naples, Italy, in
1849, Pope Pius IX visited on board; the first Pontiff to step
on U.S. territory.
During the Civil War she was brought to Newport,
Rhode Island to serve as a training ship for Naval Academy midshipmen.
In 1882, she was removed from active service
and shortly thereafter retired to Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Naval Shipyard. In recognition of her centennial, Constitution
was brought back to Boston in 1897. Refitted for display and
opened to the public in 1905, she became a national monument.
Constitution was recommissioned in
1931 for a coast-to-coast tour of ninety American cities lasting
until 1934 when she was returned to her place of honor in the
Boston Harbor at Charlestown Navy Yard. On the July 21, 1997
she sailed in Massachusetts Bay. This was the first time in
116 years she set sail, and sailed under her own power. She
remains here in Boston as an enduring symbol of the document
for which she is named and of America's determination to defend
the republic she so long protected.
General Characteristics
Builders: Col.
George Claghorn, Edmund Hartt's Shipyard, Boston, Mass.
Unit Cost: $302,718 (1797
dollars)
Power Plant: 42,710 sq.
ft. of sail on three masts
Length: 204 feet (62.16
meters) (billet head to taffrail); 175 feet at waterline (53.32
meters)
Beam: 43.5 feet (13.25
meters)
Masts: foremast, 198 feet
(60.33 meters); mainmast, 220 feet (67.03 meters); mizzenmast,
172.5 feet (52.56 meters)
Displacement: 2,200 tons
Speed: 14 knots (approx.
14.95 miles per hour, 24 km. per hour)
Crew: 450 including 55
Marines and 30 boys (1797)
Armament: 32 24-pounder
long guns; 20 32-pounder carronades; and, two 24-pounder bow
chasers.
Boats: one 36-ft. long
boat; two 30-ft. cutters, two 28-ft. whaleboats; one 28-ft.
gig; one 22-ft. jolly boat; and one 14-ft. punt.
Anchors: two main bowers
(5300 lbs.); one sheet anchor (5400 lbs.); one stream anchor
(1100 lbs.); and two kedge anchors (400 to 700 lbs).
Date Launched: October
21, 1797
History of "Old Ironsides"
was downloaded from the Naval
Historical Center.
See also "Old
Ironsides" poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
