The remarkable story of the Navy's oldest ship

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Original photo by shananies/ iStock One of the original ships of the U.S. Navy is still afloat. Following congressional passage of an "Act to provide a Naval Armament" in March 1794, shipbuilder Joshua Humphreys set about designing six frigates that would form the backbone of the United States Navy fleet. Of those six, the USS Constitution has defied the odds to remain in service, making "America's Ship of State" the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat. Launched from Boston Harbor on October 21, 1797, the Constitution was soon deployed to the Caribbean to engage privateers during the Quasi War with France. A few years later, the 44-gun frigate was instrumental in a military campaign against the state-supported Barbary Pirates of North Africa, resulting in an 1805 treaty with Tripoli. But the Constitution truly proved its worth with an impressive showing against the mighty British navy in the War of 1812. One overwhelming victory over the HMS Guerriere, which seemed unable to dent the American frigate with its cannon fire, gave the ship its nickname: "Old Ironsides." A few months later, the Constitution took down the HMS Java despite having its wheel blown off in battle, requiring crew members to manually move the tiller for steering. These heroic stands were still in the minds of the American public as the Constitution was reported to be nearing the end of its service life in 1830, resulting in a national campaign to keep the beloved warship in active duty. After patrolling the African coast for slave vessels during the 1850s, Old Ironsides was primarily used as a training ship before being decommissioned in 1881. A grand centennial celebration in 1897 underscored its status as a national icon, and in 1931, the historic ship was recommissioned for Navy service. Now docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard in its city of birth, the USS Constitution is temporarily grounded as it undergoes repairs to its masts, yet remains a venerable component of the powerful naval force it helped usher into existence more than 200 years ago.   Paul Revere helped build the USS Constitution. Paul Revere helped build the USS Constitution.

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The tribute poem "Old Ironsides" was composed by American writer (and doctor) __. The tribute poem "Old Ironsides" was composed by American writer (and doctor) __. Numbers Don't Lie Displacement (in tons) produced by the USS Constitution 2,200 Cost (in dollars) to build the USS Constitution (about $7.3 million today) 302,718 Ships in the U.S. Navy's battle force, as of July 2023 299 Launch year of the U.K.'s now-dry-docked HMS Victory 1765 The first papal visit to U.S. soil took place aboard the USS Constitution. While the Constitution was stationed off the coast of Naples in the summer of 1849, Captain John Gwinn informed his squadron commander, Commodore Charles W. Morgan, of a special request to host a visit from Pope Pius IX and King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies. Absolutely not, was the reply — with the Papal States then enmeshed in political turbulence, Commodore Morgan had no intention of disrupting a professed stance of neutrality. However, after a U.S. ambassador received another personal request from Ferdinand, Captain Gwinn took the Constitution to the port of Gaeta to receive the pontiff and king on August 2. Along with visiting every part of the ship over the course of three hours, Pope Pius delivered benediction to the Catholic crew members and managed to overcome the temporary crisis of being seasick. Commodore Morgan wrote a letter of disapproval to the Navy Department, but Capitan Gwinn died of gastritis the month after the papal visit, and never suffered any earthly consequences from it.   You might also like 5 Cool Facts About America's Historic Beaches Thank you for supporting our advertisers. They help keep Interesting Facts free!

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