==Construction==
''Constitution'', one of six frigates authorized by act of Congress, approved March 27, 1794, was designed by [[Joshua Humphreys]] and built at Hartt's Shipyard, Boston, Massachusetts, under the supervision of George Claghorn with Captain Samuel Nicholson as inspector. She was launched on October 21, 1797 and christened by Captain James Sever. Into the trim frigate's construction went timbers from states ranging from Maine to Georgia (her principle frames were made from [[Georgia live oak]], a very dense, indestructible durable and resilient wood), while the copper sheeting and bolts on her hull was supplied by [[Paul Revere]]. A ship of beauty, power, and speed thus was fashioned as a national expression of growing naval interest, and a symbol auguring the dedication, courage, and achievement of American fighting men and ships.
==First years==