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The first ship named ''Constellation'' was designed by naval constructors Joshua Humphreys and Josiah Fox, whose plans were later altered in the execution by the builder, David Stodder, and the superintendent of shipbuilding, Captain [[Thomas Truxtun]], was built at the Sterrett Shipyard, Baltimore, Md., and launched on 7 September 1797.

The first ship named ''Constellation'' was designed by naval constructors Joshua Humphreys and Josiah Fox, whose plans were later altered in the execution by the builder, David Stodder, and the superintendent of shipbuilding, Captain [[Thomas Truxtun]], was built at the Sterrett Shipyard, Baltimore, Md., and launched on 7 September 1797.

''Constellation'' convoyed American merchantmen at the outset (June through August 1798), before sailing for the West Indies to protect United States’ commerce in those waters. Under the command of Captain Truxtun, she sailed for the Caribbean in December 1798. Subsequently, on 9 February 1799 she received her baptism of fire in capturing the French 40-gun frigate ''L’Insurgente'' in battle off Nevis, West Indies, in a hard fought victory, and bringing her prize into port. In succeeding months, she also encountered and seized two French privateers, ''Diligent'' and ''Union''. After a brief voyage under Captain [[Samuel Barron'', ''Constellation'', commanded again by Truxtun, sailed in December 1799 for the West Indies. On the evening of 1 February 1800 she engaged the French 52-gun frigate ''Vengeance'' in a lengthy, furious battle. Although ''Vengeance'' twice struck her colors and was close to sinking, she was able to utilize the cover of darkness to escape from ''Constellation'' which, disabled by the loss of her mainmast, proved unable to pursue. More success came to her in May 1800 when she recaptured three American merchantmen. At the end of the [[Quasi-War]] with France, ''Constellation'' returned to home waters, where misfortune awaited her. Anchoring in Delaware Bay on 10 April 1801, the ship was caught in winds and an ebb tide that laid her over on her beam ends, occasioning extensive repairs.

''Constellation'' convoyed American merchantmen at the outset (June through August 1798), before sailing for the West Indies to protect United States’ commerce in those waters. Under the command of Captain Truxtun, she sailed for the Caribbean in December 1798. Subsequently, on 9 February 1799 she received her baptism of fire in capturing the French 40-gun frigate ''L’Insurgente'' in battle off Nevis, West Indies, in a hard fought victory, and bringing her prize into port. In succeeding months, she also encountered and seized two French privateers, ''Diligent'' and ''Union''. After a brief voyage under Captain [[Samuel Barron]], ''Constellation'', commanded again by Truxtun, sailed in December 1799 for the West Indies. On the evening of 1 February 1800 she engaged the French 52-gun frigate ''Vengeance'' in a lengthy, furious battle. Although ''Vengeance'' twice struck her colors and was close to sinking, she was able to utilize the cover of darkness to escape from ''Constellation'' which, disabled by the loss of her mainmast, proved unable to pursue. More success came to her in May 1800 when she recaptured three American merchantmen. At the end of the [[Quasi-War]] with France, ''Constellation'' returned to home waters, where misfortune awaited her. Anchoring in Delaware Bay on 10 April 1801, the ship was caught in winds and an ebb tide that laid her over on her beam ends, occasioning extensive repairs.

Sailing with the squadron of Commodore Robert Morris, and later, with that of Commodores Samuel Barron and John Rodgers, ''Constellation'' served in the blockade of Tripoli in May 1802. She cruised widely throughout the Mediterranean in 1804 to show the flag in demonstration of United States seapower; evacuated in June 1805 a contingent of U.S. Marines, as well as diplomatic personages, from Derne at the conclusion of a remarkable fleet-shore operation against Tripoli; and took part in a squadron movement against Tunis that culminated in peace terms in August 1805. ''Constellation'' returned to the States in November 1805, mooring at Washington where she later was placed in ordinary until 1812.

Sailing with the squadron of Commodore Robert Morris, and later, with that of Commodores Samuel Barron and John Rodgers, ''Constellation'' served in the blockade of Tripoli in May 1802. She cruised widely throughout the Mediterranean in 1804 to show the flag in demonstration of United States seapower; evacuated in June 1805 a contingent of U.S. Marines, as well as diplomatic personages, from Derne at the conclusion of a remarkable fleet-shore operation against Tripoli; and took part in a squadron movement against Tunis that culminated in peace terms in August 1805. ''Constellation'' returned to the States in November 1805, mooring at Washington where she later was placed in ordinary until 1812.

[[category:military]]

[[category:military]]

[[category:United States History]]

[[category:United States History]]