Old Ironsides

At the end of the American Revolution, the fledgling country was strapped for cash and in 1785 the last ship of the U.S. Navy was sold, ending U.S. armed maritime presence. However, that same year, U.S. merchant ships fell prey to the Barbary Pirates in the Mediterranean. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson pushed for protection for the merchant ships in the form of warships until their efforts came to fruition in the form of the Naval Act of 1794.

Photo: archives.gov

March 27, 1794, the U.S. Congress passed the Naval Act, which established a permanent Navy for the U.S.  Four warships began to be constructed until peace was reached with the pirates and a clause in the Naval Act was put into practice: if peace were achieved, construction would end. After some prompting from President Washington, Congress passed an act that allowed three of the ships to be completed: the United States, the Constellation and the Constitution. 

Photo: nps.gov (The Charlestown Navy Yard where the Constitution was built.)

September 20, 1796, the Constitution was launched in the presence of President John Adams. Unfortunately, the weight of the ship prevented her from being launched into the water and it wasn't until October 21 that the Constitution made it into Boston Harbor. 

Photo: jrusselljinishiangallery.com 

In 1798, all ships were ordered to sea as a part of the Quasi War with France and the Constitution patrolled the U.S. coast and the Caribbean until 1802. Between then and the War of 1812, the Constitution saw action in the Mediterranean. Soon after war was declared in 1812, the Constitution set sail and her captain was under the impression that he was joining a U.S. squadron but he quickly realized he was amongst five British ships. When the British recognized the Constitution as American, they quickly gave chase but the Constitution and her crew escaped. 

Photo: armchairgeneral.com

On August 12, 1812, the Constitution and the Guerriere came within range of each other and a battle ensued. Severe damage was done to the British Guerriere and the two ships ended up entangled but in the end, the Guerriere surrendered. Despite having many shots fired at her, the Constitution suffered very little damage and one soldier reportedly exclaimed "Huzzah! Her sides are like iron." This quote earned the ship the nickname Old Ironsides. 

Photo: archives.hnsa.org

Today, Old Iron Sides sits at port in the Charlestown Harbor in Boston. She is the world's oldest commissioned Navy vessel still afloat and she is used by the Navy to educate the public on the Navy's role in war and peace.

Photo: Hilary Grabowska