Changes

| type=Sail frigate

| type=Sail frigate

| displ=1,576 t

| displ=1,576 t

| length=175 ft at waterline<br/>204 ft overall

| length=175&nbsp;ft at waterline<br/>204&nbsp;ft overall

| beam=44.3 ft

| beam=44.3&nbsp;ft

| draft=13.9 ft

| draft=13.9&nbsp;ft

| speed=13+ knots

| speed=13+ knots

| test=

| test=

==First years==

==First years==

''Constitution'' put to sea on July, 23 1798, commanded by Captain Samuel Nicholson, the first of many illustrious commanding officers. Following patrols along the eastern seaboard she became flagship on the Santo Domingo station, making several captures during the [[Quasi-War]] with [[France]], including the 24-gun ''Niger'', the ''Spencer'', and the letter-of-marque ''Sandwich''.  At war's end, Constitution returned to the Charleston Navy Yard where she was placed in ordinary.

''Constitution'' put to sea on July 23, 1798, commanded by Captain Samuel Nicholson, the first of many illustrious commanding officers. Following patrols along the eastern seaboard she became flagship on the Santo Domingo station, making several captures during the [[Quasi-War]] with [[France]], including the 24-gun ''Niger'', the ''Spencer'', and the letter-of-marque ''Sandwich''.  At war's end, Constitution returned to the Charleston Navy Yard where she was placed in ordinary.

In 1803 amid growing demand for tribute and increasing seizures by the [[Barbary pirates]], ''Constitution'' was recommissioned under Captain [[Edward Preble]] and sailed as flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron on August 14. Preble took command of the squadron and vigorously brought the war to [[Tripoli]], executing well-laid plans with brilliant success. On ''Constitution's'' decks tactics for destroying the captured frigate, ''Philadelphia'', were laid as well as those for blockading and assaulting the fortifications of Tripoli. The small United States fleet on August 3-7, 1804 bombarded the enemy's ships and shore batteries with telling results.

In 1803 amid growing demand for tribute and increasing seizures by the [[Barbary pirates]], ''Constitution'' was recommissioned under Captain [[Edward Preble]] and sailed as flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron on August 14. Preble took command of the squadron and vigorously brought the war to [[Tripoli]], executing well-laid plans with brilliant success. On ''Constitution's'' decks tactics for destroying the captured frigate, ''Philadelphia'', were laid as well as those for blockading and assaulting the fortifications of Tripoli. The small United States fleet on August 3–7, 1804 bombarded the enemy's ships and shore batteries with telling results.

Commodore [[Samuel Barron]] and later Captain [[John Rodgers]] were next to command the squadron and ''Constitution'', continuing to blockade and take prizes. Naval action thus generated a favorable climate for the negotiation of peace terms with Algiers, ending for a time our tribute payments. After the Tunisians agreed to similar terms in August, ''Constitution'' spent 2 years patrolling in maintenance of the peace. She sailed for home under Captain Hugh Campbell and arrived Boston in November 1807. Placed out of commission, the frigate was repaired in the succeeding 2 years.

Commodore [[Samuel Barron]] and later Captain [[John Rodgers]] were next to command the squadron and ''Constitution'', continuing to blockade and take prizes. Naval action thus generated a favorable climate for the negotiation of peace terms with Algiers, ending for a time our tribute payments. After the Tunisians agreed to similar terms in August, ''Constitution'' spent 2 years patrolling in maintenance of the peace. She sailed for home under Captain Hugh Campbell and arrived Boston in November 1807. Placed out of commission, the frigate was repaired in the succeeding 2 years.

==[[War of 1812]]==  

==[[War of 1812]]==

In August 1809 she was recommissioned and became flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron, and in 1810 [[Isaac Hull]] was appointed her captain. The following year she carried U.S. Minister, Joel Barlow, to France and returned to Washington in March 1812 for overhaul. War with Britain impended and ''Constitution'' was readied for action. On June 20, 1812 the declaration of war was read to her assembled crew and on July 12 she took the sea rejoin the squadron of Commodore John Rodgers.   

In August 1809 she was recommissioned and became flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron, and in 1810 [[Isaac Hull]] was appointed her captain. The following year she carried U.S. Minister, Joel Barlow, to France and returned to Washington in March 1812 for overhaul. War with Britain impended and ''Constitution'' was readied for action. On June 20, 1812 the declaration of war was read to her assembled crew and on July 12 she took the sea rejoin the squadron of Commodore John Rodgers.   

While approaching her destination during the afternoon of 17 July, she encountered a large group of unknown warships that was eventually determined to be British. This squadron, under the command of Captain Philip Vere Broke, included the small ship of the line ''Africa'' and the frigates ''Shannon'' (Broke's flagship), ''Belvidera'', ''Guerriere'' and ''Aeolus'', clearly a force much superior to ''Constitution''.

While approaching her destination during the afternoon of 17 July, she encountered a large group of unknown warships that was eventually determined to be British. This squadron, under the command of Captain Philip Vere Broke, included the small ship of the line ''Africa'' and the frigates ''Shannon'' (Broke's flagship), ''Belvidera'', ''Guerriere'' and ''Aeolus'', clearly a force much superior to ''Constitution''.

Through the night of 17-18 July, the British and American ships maneuvered for advantage in the continuing light breeze. At about 5:30 in the morning the wind failed completely. ''Constitution'' put out her boats, which towed her ahead of the enemy while four long 24-pounder guns were shifted to allow fire directly astern. The British also had their boats in the water, concentrating most of them to try and pull ''Shannon'' within gunfire range. At the suggestion of Lieutenant Charles Morris, Captain Hull had anchors dropped ahead for kedging, allowing the power of of her capstan to pull her more rapidly.

Through the night of 17–18 July, the British and American ships maneuvered for advantage in the continuing light breeze. At about 5:30 in the morning the wind failed completely. ''Constitution'' put out her boats, which towed her ahead of the enemy while four long 24-pounder guns were shifted to allow fire directly astern. The British also had their boats in the water, concentrating most of them to try and pull ''Shannon'' within gunfire range. At the suggestion of Lieutenant Charles Morris, Captain Hull had anchors dropped ahead for kedging, allowing the power of of her capstan to pull her more rapidly.

All through the 18th and well into the following day, this effort of towing and kedging continued, with occasional use of sails when a small wind blew up. Though shots were exchanged the range was always too great to allow hitting, and ''Constitution'' slowly moved away from her pursuers. By late afternoon on the 19th the nearest British ship, ''Belvidera'', was some four miles astern. A few hours later, as a rain squall approached, Hull promptly got up his sails and greatly increased his lead. The chase continued through that night in slight and shifting winds, with ''Constitution's'' crew keeping their sails wet to enhance their effectiveness, and by daylight the enemy was so far astern that they soon gave up the pursuit. Realizing that the presence of the strong British squadron would keep him out of New York, Hull sailed instead for Boston, where he arrived on 26 July to begin preparations for another cruise.

All through the 18th and well into the following day, this effort of towing and kedging continued, with occasional use of sails when a small wind blew up. Though shots were exchanged the range was always too great to allow hitting, and ''Constitution'' slowly moved away from her pursuers. By late afternoon on the 19th the nearest British ship, ''Belvidera'', was some four miles astern. A few hours later, as a rain squall approached, Hull promptly got up his sails and greatly increased his lead. The chase continued through that night in slight and shifting winds, with ''Constitution's'' crew keeping their sails wet to enhance their effectiveness, and by daylight the enemy was so far astern that they soon gave up the pursuit. Realizing that the presence of the strong British squadron would keep him out of New York, Hull sailed instead for Boston, where he arrived on 26 July to begin preparations for another cruise.

===HMS ''Guerriere''===  

===HMS ''Guerriere''===

[[Image:Cornepainting.jpg|right|200px|thumb|''In Action'', depicting the battle between USS ''Constitution'' and HMS ''Guerriere'', by Michel Felice Corne (1812).  This painting was one of four of the battle done under the direction of Captain Isaac Hull.]]

[[Image:Cornepainting.jpg|right|200px|thumb|''In Action'', depicting the battle between USS ''Constitution'' and HMS ''Guerriere'', by Michel Felice Corne (1812).  This painting was one of four of the battle done under the direction of Captain Isaac Hull.]]

Departing Boston on August 2 she sailed to the coast of Nova Scotia, where she captured and destroyed two British trading ships. Cruising off the Gulf of St. Lawrence on 19 August, she caught sight of ''Guerriere'', one of the ships which nearly captured her several weeks before. ''Guerriere'' opened the action, pouring out shot which fell harmlessly into the sea or glanced ineffectively from the hull of ''Constitution''; one of the cheering crew was heard to exclaim "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!"  As the ships drew aside each other, Hull gave the command to fire and successive broadsides razed ''Guerriere's'' mizzen mast, damaging her foremast, and cut away most of her rigging. ''Guerriere's'' bowsprit fouled the lee rigging of ''Constitution'', and both sides attempted to board, but the heavy seas prevented it. As the ships separated ''Guerriere'' fired point blank into the cabin of ''Constitution'' and set it on fire, but the flames were quickly extinguished. ''Guerriere's'' foremast and mainmast went by the board and she was left a helpless hulk.

Departing Boston on August 2 she sailed to the coast of Nova Scotia, where she captured and destroyed two British trading ships. Cruising off the Gulf of St. Lawrence on 19 August, she caught sight of ''Guerriere'', one of the ships which nearly captured her several weeks before. ''Guerriere'' opened the action, pouring out shot which fell harmlessly into the sea or glanced ineffectively from the hull of ''Constitution''; one of the cheering crew was heard to exclaim "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!"  As the ships drew aside each other, Hull gave the command to fire and successive broadsides razed ''Guerriere's'' mizzen mast, damaging her foremast, and cut away most of her rigging. ''Guerriere's'' bowsprit fouled the lee rigging of ''Constitution'', and both sides attempted to board, but the heavy seas prevented it. As the ships separated ''Guerriere'' fired point blank into the cabin of ''Constitution'' and set it on fire, but the flames were quickly extinguished. ''Guerriere's'' foremast and mainmast went by the board and she was left a helpless hulk.

==references==

==References==

*[http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/ USS ''Constitution'' official website]

*[http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/ USS ''Constitution'' official website]

*[http://www.poetry-archive.com/h/old_ironsides.html Poetry Archive on "Old Ironsides"]

*[http://www.poetry-archive.com/h/old_ironsides.html Poetry Archive on "Old Ironsides"]

{{License|license = This work is in the [[public domain]] in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.| source = [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c13/constitution.htm]}}

{{License|license = This work is in the [[public domain]] in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.| source = [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c13/constitution.htm]}}

[[Category:Warships|Constitution, USS]][[Category: War of 1812]][[Category:United States Navy]]

[[Category:Warships|Constitution, USS]][[Category:War of 1812]][[Category:United States Navy]]