Dani C.
Yelp
Unfortunately the day we went the actual ship was not open, but luckily the museum was (they are operated by different entities so be mindful of the days and hours they are open). But seeing this ship in person after reading a book about it was jaw dropping! Absolutely stunning. So glad history is being kept alive.
USS Constitution: The world's oldest commissioned warship afloat
1794-1797: Congress authorizes construction of 6 frigates to help protect American merchant fleets from attacks by Algerian pirates and harassment by British/French forces. They are designed by Joshua Humphreys and built at 6 different sites. The contract for the CONSTITUTION is given to Edmond Harrt's Shipyard in Boston. Made from more than 1,500 trees (from Maine to Georgia), armed with cannons cast in Rhode Island, and copper fastenings provided by Paul Revere, the vessel is truly a national ship.
1798: After Congress votes it fit for sea, it cruises in West Indies protecting U.S. shipping from French privateers.
1803-1806: President Thomas Jefferson sent her to the Mediterranean to protect American ships from the Barbary pirates. With Captain Edward Preble in command, CONSTITUTION and other ships of the squadron bombarded Tripoli. She hosted the signing of a peace treaty between the US and Tripoli.
1812-1815: War with Great Britain. The war was hardly a month old when CONSTITUTION, on the way from Chesapeake Bay to New York, met a squadron of 5 British ships. Her escape is now legendary; a 3-day, slow-speed chase. Its crew kept her ahead of the English by rowing (known to Sailors as the "white ash breeze"), by attempting to tow her with the ship's boats. Then Lt. Charles Morris suggested "kedging," in which an anchor is carried out ahead of the ship, dropped, and the ship drawn up to it.
Aug 19 1812: The fight with HMS GUERRIÈRE took place 600 miles east of Boston. The 2 settled down to a short-range slugfest. At some point, someone is said to have seen British shot bouncing off CONSTITUTION's side, and shouted, "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron' And so was born the nickname "Old Ironsides." The GUERRIÈRE was so badly damaged, she had to be sunk. Congress awarded Captain Isaac Hull a gold medal.
Dec 29, 1812: 30 miles off Brazil. She began a fight with the faster HMS JAVA. American Commodore William Bainbridge was wounded twice, and the ship's wheel was shot away, but for more than 2 hours he fought until, Like GUERRIÈRE, JAVA was too badly damaged to bring home, but before sinking her, Bainbridge had her wheel removed to replace the one she shot away. Commodore Bainbridge also received a gold medal.
Feb 20, 1815: 180 miles from Madeira Island. Captain Charles Stewart came upon the British men-of-war CYANE and LEVANT and overpowered them. He hoped to bring his captures home, but ran into a British squadron that retook LEVANT while CONSTITUTION and CYANE returned safely to New York. Captain Stewart received a gold medal from Congress.
1828-1830: Laid up at Boston. During this time the Navy requested the Navy Yard Commanders conduct surveys on all ships to determine how much work would need to be done to bring the ships into commission. This information reached a local publication and it was misreported that the Navy wanted to scrap 'Old Ironsides'. Immediately after that a poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes, called Old Ironsides, was written to generate public support. The Navy paid to refurbish CONSTITUTION.