The USS Constitution was a fine ship that served its purpose very well. Without it America wouldn’t have won all of the naval battles that gave us victory in the War of 1812 and we could still be under British rule. It was given a name that has stuck throughout the years. And still serves in the United States Navy to this day. And now serves as a tourist attraction and a history lesson. This ship is a huge history lesson. With the war on the barbarians the US ordered that six frigates were to be built. And the Constitution was the largest of the fleet. The reason why the fleet was ordered was because at the time, the United States didn't have a navel fleet. The ship was designed by Joshua Humphreys. was launched at Edmond Hartt Shipyard in Boston on October 21, 1797. The
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Junior Officer First Class Lorraine Ramsdell wrote in her report, “In 1803 she was designated flagship for the Mediterranean squadron under Captain Edward Preble and went to serve against the Barbary States of North Africa, which were demanding tribute from the United States in exchange for allowing American merchant vessels access to Mediterranean ports.” The Constitution served two years before returning to the U.S. Its biggest accomplishment was the defeat of HMS Guerriere. This is also the story when the ship got its name. Commander Tyrone G. Martin wrote,”Some of Constitution’s braces were slashed and her fore royal truck shot away, together with two halyards — one bearing an American flag. Amidst the cannonade, Seaman Daniel Hogan climbed the rigging and returned the ensign to the topmast. British shot striking the hull made little impression. Someone saw a British ball make a dent and fall away into the sea, and cried out, “Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!” And so the famed nickname of “Old Ironsides” was born.” The battle lasted under an hour and the Guerriere was in
Junior Officer First Class Lorraine Ramsdell wrote in her report, “In 1803 she was designated flagship for the Mediterranean squadron under Captain Edward Preble and went to serve against the Barbary States of North Africa, which were demanding tribute from the United States in exchange for allowing American merchant vessels access to Mediterranean ports.” The Constitution served two years before returning to the U.S. Its biggest accomplishment was the defeat of HMS Guerriere. This is also the story when the ship got its name. Commander Tyrone G. Martin wrote,”Some of Constitution’s braces were slashed and her fore royal truck shot away, together with two halyards — one bearing an American flag. Amidst the cannonade, Seaman Daniel Hogan climbed the rigging and returned the ensign to the topmast. British shot striking the hull made little impression. Someone saw a British ball make a dent and fall away into the sea, and cried out, “Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!” And so the famed nickname of “Old Ironsides” was born.” The battle lasted under an hour and the Guerriere was in