U. S. Frigate Constitution, Boston, MA
Additional Details:
| U. S. Frigate "Constitution," constructed at Hartt's shipyard, Boston, Massachusetts, in 1794-97 saw her first service in the quasi war with France that year. She fought successfully in the war against the Tripolitan Pirates (1801-05). She earned her place in American Heritage during the War of 1812 when she won a brilliant victory over the British Frigate "Guerriere." Tradition has it that her crew, on seeing British shot failing to penetrate the oak sides of the ship, dubbed her "Old Ironsides." Numerous other equally notable victories followed. She was condemned in 1828 but was saved when public sentiment was aroused by the poem "Old Ironsides" by Oliver Wendell Holmes, a famous Massachusetts son. She is the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy. |
