USS Constitution is symbol of nation's enduring spirit

Constitution was one of six frigates authorized by Congress in 1797 by the Naval Act of 1794 and was the third constructed. The ships were much larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the time. She was built in the North End of Boston at Edmund Hartt’s shipyard and was launched on Oct. 21, 1797. Because of her size it took three separate tries to get the huge ship off the ramps and into the water. Her first duty in the newly formed U.S. Navy was to provide protection for American merchant shipping and to defeat the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War.

The ship’s hull and framing was made of southern live oak, a very dense and strong wood. The braces used to strengthen the hull were cut in solid pieces from individual trees making the ship unusually strong. So strong that during a battle with the British ship HMS Guerriere on Aug. 19, 1812, a sailor on board Constitution exclaimed after seeing 18-pound cannon balls bounce of her side, “Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!” thus earning the ship the nickname “Old Ironsides.”

The USS Constitution served 58 years on active duty and participated in numerous naval battles, including during the War of 1812, when she won 33 battles without suffering a loss.

Constitution was retired from active service in 1881. After retirement Constitution served as a training ship in various locations. In September 1897 she returned to Boston for her 100th birthday. Not everyone saw the historic value of Constitution, however. In 1905 Secretary of the Navy Charles Joseph Bonaparte suggested the ship be towed out to sea and used as target practice and be allowed to sink. Fortunately businessman Moses H. Gulesian heard about the plan and offered to buy her for $10,000. His offer was refused but it generated a public campaign and protests to save the historic ship. Congress authorized $100,000 in 1906 for Constitution’s restoration.

Over the years the ship has been restored several times. The most recent restoration began at Charlestown Navy Yard’s Dry Dock 1 in May 2015. It was the first time in 20 years that Constitution was out of the water. The work lasted until last summer when she returned to her regular pier in the Navy Yard on the night of July 23, 2017.

The USS Constitution attracts more than 500,000 visitors each year who learn firsthand about Navy history through active-duty Navy sailors who not only operate the three-masted wooden sailing ship but act as tour guides and historians for the visitors.

Dave, one of the sailors assigned to Constitution, told how the ship managed to escape after being outnumbered on the high seas. “It was the morning of July 17, 1810,” explained Dave, “and the crew of Constitution sighted five British ships off Egg Harbor, New Jersey. They were greatly outnumbered and their only hope was to escape.”

But there was no wind. The crew then hurriedly wet the sails to take advantage of any wind that might come up. They quickly put boats over the side to tow the ship out of range. “Then they dropped anchors far in front of Constitution and pulled her along.” After two days and nights of pulling the ship along they managed to elude the British ships.

Nearby the ship is the USS Constitution Museum located in Building 22. The museum contains historic artifacts and displays relating to the history of Constitution. The museum also tells the story of the Charlestown Shipyard from its earliest beginnings to the present day.