CONSTITUTION, a United States frigate familiarly known as "Old Ironsides," is without doubt the most famous ship in the annals of the American navy. She was one of the first three naval vessels built by the United States; designed by Joshua Humphreys of Philadelphia, her keel was laid at Hartt's ship-yard, Boston, in 1794. She was launched in 1797 and in the following year was first commissioned and placed in service against the French pri vateers then infesting American waters. In 1804-05, the "Consti tution" participated in the war against Tripoli, which resulted in peace with the Barbary States, and stopped the tribute the United States had been paying the African pirates. It was not until the War of 1812, however, that she won her enduring place in Ameri can history. On Aug. 19, 1812, when the moral of the country was at its lowest ebb, the "Constitution," under the command of Captain Isaac Hull, won a brilliant victory over the British frigate "Guerriere." This naval duel was followed by numerous other victories hardly less notable, the better known being the destruction of the "Java" (Dec. 29, 1812) and the capture of the two armed vessels "Cyane" and "Levant" on Feb. 2o, 1815. It was during the "Constitution's" engagement with the "Guerriere" that the American sailors, on seeing the British shot bounding off the solid oak sides of their ship, dubbed her "Old Ironsides," and it is by this name that she is known to millions of Americans to-day.
On June 16, 1927, "Old Ironsides" was dry-docked at the Charlestown navy yard, Boston, for her fourth reconstruction, a fact which testifies to the abiding place which she holds in the love and admiration of the American people. Congress, on March 3, 1925, authorized her restoration by funds raised by popular subscription. The greater part of the necessary funds (estimated at $65o,000) have been raised by the donations of school children. When the work is completed, this historic old ship will again be able to sail the seas. "Old Ironsides" is what is generally known as a 44-gun frigate, although she always carried more than that number; in the battle with the "Guerriere" she carried 55 guns and 456 men. Her length over all is 204 ft., beam 44 ft. 8 in., draught 22 ft. 6 in., armour 212 in. oak, and gun range 1,200 yards. She was originally built of live oak and red cedar, all well seasoned wood, and the bolts which fastened her timbers and the copper sheathing were made in Paul Revere's shop. The present restoration is to follow faithfully her original lines.
See F. A. Magoun, The "Constitution" and other Historic Ships (1928) ; and the Scientific American vol. cxxxiii., p. 20 and vol. cxxxvii., P.