THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, July 24, 2020 Page 9 The U.S.S. Constitution By Th e Old Sachem he world’s oldest commissioned naval vessel still afl oat is the USS Constitution, also known as “Old Ironsides.” She had a wooden hull, with three masts, a heavy frigate of the US Navy berthed in Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard at one end of The Freedom Trail. The mission of the ship these days is to promote understanding of the US Navy’s role in war and peace, through educational outreach, historical demonstration and active participation in public events as part of the Naval History & Heritage Command. Old Ironsides is today fully commissioned with a crew of 60 Navy active-duty personnel that participates in ceremonies, educational programs and special events, and is kept open to the public year-round. The Naval Act of 1797 authoT rized the construction of six frigates, and the USS Constitution was the third to be constructed. Secretary of War Timothy Pickering submitted 10 vessel names to President Washington in March of 1795 for naming the frigates. Joshua Humphreys designed the six frigates to be larger and more heavily armed than traditional frigates of this period. The Constitution was built in the shipyard of Edmund Hartt in Boston’s North End. The ship’s hull was built 21 inches thick and required 60 acres of trees, pine and oak, including southern live oak from St. Simons, Georgia. It was built with 44 guns, had a tonnage of 1,576 and a displacement of 2,200 tons. It was longer than the standard of frigates with a length of 304 feet stem to stern. The beam was 43 feet 6 inches and the main-mast soared 220 feet. With three masts she had a speed of 13 knots and a complement of 450, including 55 Marines and 30 boys. For armaments the Constitution carried 30 24-pounder long guns, 20 32-pounder carronades and two 24-pounder bow chasers. The fi rst duty was to provide protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and to defeat the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. The Barbary pirates started seizing American merchant vessels in the Mediterranean Sea from the port of Algiers in 1785. In 1793, 11 American ships were captured by pirates – with the crews and stores held for ransom. In 1807 the British ship Leopard attacked the USS Chesapeake, killing three Americans and injuring 18, and four sailors went on trial for desertion. Fifteen days earlier the HMS Guerriere captured the USS Spitfi re off Sandy Point, New Jersey. Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton had ordered the USS President and the USS Argus to patrol coastal areas from the Carolinas to New York. Commodore John Rodgers, who commanded the President, had heard of the Guerriere attack, and sailing off the Virginia Capes northward sighted a British vessel he believed to be the Guerriere sailing south. Rodgers pursued the English ship, the Little Belt, and soon engaged into battle. Within 15 minutes the Little Belt’s guns were put out of action. There was disparity among both ships: The Little Belt was far smaller than the President and suff ered the most damage. The Little Belt was off ered space in any American port for repairs, but it proceeded north to the North American Station in Halifax, Nova Scotia, while the President sailed to New York City. The President suff ered only one sailor injured; the Little Belt had nine dead and 23 injured, two fatally. Both nations argued about the encounter for many years. During the War of 1812 against Britain, the Constitution captured many merchant ships and defeated fi ve British warships: HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane and Levant. The battle with the British frigate, Guerriere, brought about the nickname of “Old Ironsides.” On August 19, 1812, with the war going on the HMS Guerriere sailed into an ill-fated action against the Constitution. Painted across the topsail of the British ship were the words “NOT THE LITTLE BELT,” but she felt the same fate. After exchanging fi re the Constitution was maneuvered into an advantageous position within 25 yards of the opponent. The American captain, Hull, ordered a full double-loaded broadside of grape and round shot, which removed the Guerriere’s mizzenmast, which hampered her movement, and the British ship collided with the Constitution, leaving the Brits’ bow guns incapable of eff ective fi re. The two ships rotated together and both captains ordered boarding parties, but the swelling seas made this impossible. When the ships fi nally became unhinged, shot waves tore Guerriere’s rigging and the mainmast fell. The British surrendered. The Guerriere was badly damaged and Hull ordered her burned; the British crew were taken aboard, and the Constitution sailed to Boston, where the captain and crew were hailed as heroes. The Constitution next faced the HMS Java off the coast of São Salvador, destroyed the British ship and took the prisoners to Boston for repairs again. Constitution required massive repairs, and shortages of necessary equipment kept her in Boston along with her sister ships – Chesapeake, Congress and President – for most of the year. The Americans were concentrating on the Great Lakes, so little was done for the Atlantic fl eet. Charles Stewart was named commander of the Constitution, and when repairs were completed, he set sail on New Year’s Eve for the West Indies. The object was to harass British shipping, and the ship captured fi ve British merchant ships and the HMS Pictou by late March 1814. The mainmast split off the coast of Bermuda, requiring immediate repair. Stewart set a course for Boston pursued by two British ships: the HMS Junon and the HMS Tenedos. To increase speed, Stewart ordered drinking water and food to be cast overboard, and the Constitution was able to outrun the pursuers and landed at Marblehead, Massachusetts. The people of Marblehead gave the Constitution their cannons from Fort Sewell, and after two weeks Stewart set sail for Boston. Stewart was blockaded in Boston as the British Royal Navy sent the 50-gun HMS Leander with a fl eet to North America to stop the American frigates attacking British shipping. Stewart saw a chance to escape the blockade and set sail for Bermuda on December 18. With the British in pursuit, Stewart managed to keep ahead. On December 24 he intercepted the British merchantman, Lord Nelson, and placed a prize crew aboard, and the Constitution celebrated Christmas dinner with the stores taken from the British ship. Although Stewart was aware that The Treaty of Ghent had been signed, he realized that war remained until the treaty was ratifi ed. He captured the merchantman Susanna on February 16; the animal hides taken had a value of $75,000. Stewart sighted the small British ships Cyane and Levant sailing together and gave chase. The British began a series of broadsides against the Constitution, and the Levant was forced to withdraw for repairs. Stewart concentrated fi re on the Cyane and the British soon withdrew her colors. However, the Levant had returned, and Stewart overtook her and after several more broadsides the British struck colors. The three ships were repaired and proceeded now as American fl eet to the Cape Verde Islands, arriving at Porto Praya on March 10. Stewart’s squadron was sighted by a British squadron and set sail. Cyane was able to elude the British and reached America on April 10. The Levant was overtaken and recaptured by the British. The Constitution sailed towards Guinea, then west towards Brazil. The Constitution arrived in Maranhão on April 2 and heard of the ratifi cation of the treaty, so he removed the prisoners and set sail for America, arriving in New York on May 15 amid a large celebration for the action of the Constitution. The Constitution became part of the Mediterranean Squadron in April 1820 for a three-year tour. She collided with the British merchant ship Bicton in the Mediterranean; the Bicton sank along with her captain. The commanding officer, Jacob Jones, had a reputation as being very lax in discipline, and the ship was ordered to return to Boston, where Jones was relieved of command Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE Is Your Vehicle Blowing Hot Air on Hot Days?!! 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The Constitution did much more action which I will relate in a further article. Bostonians are very proud of their heroic vessel and often visit the ship to view the historic vessel.
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