USS Constitution

history · navy · wooden ships · American heritage

Built in Boston. USS Constitution was constructed at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts and launched in 1797. She was one of six frigates created when the new United States Navy needed powerful warships.

Stronger than others. Designer Joshua Humphreys made Constitution and her sister ships larger, heavier, and more heavily armed than typical frigates of that time. They were meant to be the young Navy's most important capital ships.

Nicknamed Old Ironsides. The USS Constitution earned this famous nickname because cannonballs bounced off her wooden hull during battles, making her seem practically unbreakable.

Still sailing today. USS Constitution is the second oldest naval vessel still in active commission and the oldest warship still afloat anywhere in the world. She has served the United States Navy for over 200 years.

Fought pirates and enemies. Her first missions included protecting American merchant ships during the Quasi-War with France and defeating Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War.