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USS Constitution

- formerly IX 21, formerly OLD CONSTITUTION, formerly CONSTITUTION -

The oldest commissioned warship in the U.S. Navy
Nickname: Old Ironsides

The USS CONSTITUTION was the first ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy. Throughout her entire service life she was never boarded by hostile forces. To this day the USS CONSTITUTION can be viewed in the harbor of Boston.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: March 1, 1794
	Keel laid: November 1, 1794
	Commissioned: October 1, 1797
	Builder: Col. George Claghorn, Edmont Harrt’s Shipyard, Boston, Mass.
	Length: 204 feet (62.16 meters)
	Length at waterline: 175 feet (53.32 meters)
	Beam: 43,5 feet (13.25 meters)
	Mast height: Foremast: 198 feet (60.33 meters) Mainmast: 220 feet (67.03 meters) Mizzenmast: 172,5 feet (52.56 meters)
	Displacement: approx. 2.200 tons
	Speed: 13+ knots
	Cost: $302,718 (1797 dollars)
	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.
	Crew: 450 including 55 Marines and 30 boys (1797)
	Homeport: Boston, Mass.

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Ship's Store:

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Images above: Operation Sail 2000, the first sailing of the USS Constitution in over 100 years..

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History of USS CONSTITUTION:

Oct. 21, 1797
USS Constitution launched and christened at Edmond Hartt’s Shipyard, Boston.

Aug. 1798
Ordered into action in the Quasi-War with France.

1803–1806
Flagship, Mediterranean Squadron, Tripolitan War.

1812–1815
War with Great Britain.

Aug. 18, 1812
Defeats 49-gun British frigate Guerriere. Crew bestows her with 'Old Ironsides' nickname.

Dec. 29, 1812
Captures British frigate Java and five smaller vessels.

1828-1830
Laid up at Boston and condemned by naval commissioners, she was saved by a poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes.

March 1844
Begins 30-month voyage around the world.

1931-1934
National cruise takes 'Old Ironsides' to 90 American cities, returns to her place of honor in Boston harbor.

March 1996-1997
Completes 44-month restoration. Crew prepares for historic sail in July 1997, and 'Old Ironsides' turns 200 Oct. 21, 1997.

CLICK HERE to read a detailed history of USS CONSTITUTION

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USS CONSTITUTION Image Gallery:

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