USS Constitution: The Ship That Defied the Sea and Never Lost a Battle

From annihilating the enemies with cannons during the War of 1812 to circling the world in the 1840s, from partaking in the American Civil War to serving as a museum ship, such is the epic lore of the world's oldest surviving ship — the USS Constitution. Still afloat, after 227 years, the legendary vessel leaves all spectators in awe with the stories of service, tales of heroic deeds, and the glorious centuries it has lived through.

Can you imagine that this ship existed and thrived in the same age as that of Florence Nightingale? It witnessed (albeit from afar) the lives of Queen Victoria to Sir Abraham Lincoln, Raja Ram Mohan Roy to Jhansi ki Rani, John Keats to Edgar Allan Poe, Charlie Chaplin to Harry Houdini, Van Gogh to Picasso, Beethoven to Elvis Presley, even the Wright Brothers to Edison — the list can (literally) go on forever!

The pride of the United States, only few have had the privilege of being on board the mystical 'Old Ironsides'! Today, we'll dive into the ravines of history and fetch out instances of how and where USS Constitution showcased her naval power to the world, since her inception in 1797.

"Victorious warriors win first... then go to war" (quote by Sun Tzu)

Quasi-War (1798-1801)

Credit: American Battlefield Trust

Built in Boston, Massachusetts at Edmund Hartt's shipyard, the USS Constitution was one of the first vessels ordered to patrol for French ships and to look for and free any captured American ships that she finds. In March of 1799, she gallantly recaptured the American sloop 'Neutrality' from France. And just a few days later, she also seized the French ship 'Carteret', ahead of which the Constitution's crew captured the Sandwich in port.

Fact: The Constitution was one of six original frigates authorized by the Naval Act of 1794.

First Barbary War (1801-1805)

Attributed to Michel Felice Corné (1752–1845)

This was where the Constitution faced her enemy, one that was hidden from plain sight, and was hurled by with the words, "If you give me a shot, I'll give you a broadside.... This is His Britannic Majesty's ship Donegal, 84 guns, Sir Richard Strachan, an English commodore... Send your boat on board."

She responded, "This is United States ship Constitution, 44 guns, Edward Preble, an American commodore, who will be damned before he sends his boat on board of any vessel."

It was then that "Preble's boys", the officers onboard Constitution, led by Edward Preble, began firing. It turned out the enemy really wasn't Donegal but a 32-gun frigate HMS Maidstone.

Later, while on patrol in the Mediterranean, the USS Constitution's original figurehead Hercules was destroyed after she collided with the USS President. The ship was then repaired and resupplied in 1804.

Battle of Tripoli Harbor (1804)

USS Constitution participating in the bombardment of Tripoli, 3 August 1804; Painting By Michele Felice

In 1804, the USS Constitution, as a part of the American Navy's Mediterranean squadron, was tasked with protecting American shipping from Tripoline gunboats and she rose to the occasion.

The epic War of 1812 (USS Constitution v/s HMS Guerriere)

Painting, Oil on Canvas; By Anton Otto Fischer; C.1960

It goes without saying that USS Constitution gained exceeding popularity after her heroic role in the War of 1812, where she earned the sobriquet of "Old Ironsides" after battling with and emerging triumphant against HMS Guerriere. The nickname sswas bestowed upon her because, during the battle, it seemed like no enemy cannonballs could impair her strong oak hull!

Besides being tasked with protecting American shipping and seizing British shipping, the vessel was expected to destroy British warships and she did exactly that! The Constitution vanquished five British warships, including HMS Guerriere, Pictou, Java, Cyane, and Levant.

USS Constitution v/s HMS Java

USS Constitution vs. HMS Java, 1812 by Patrick O’Brien

This painting, by Patrick O'Brien, showcases the Constitution’s grand victory over HMS Java — a frigate of 38 guns — on December 29, 1812, near the coast of Brazil. Herein, the epic nature of the battle can't be overlooked. After 3.5 grueling hours, the Constitution's staggering firepower and profuse gunnery had destructed Java and brought it down to its hulk. The British sailors that survived the battle were taken as prisoners.

Ongoing ballads (19th-20th century): The Invincible USS Constitution

The Constitution's bravado is so magnanimous they we can't talk about it all in a single article, and so we're wrapping up the remaining achievements in this concise capsule:

In the 1840s, the USS Constitution sailed around in the world, while fulfilling her duty as the flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons, as part of the prestigious Navy squad. It was also during the American Civil War (1861-1865) when she served as a training ship, in Maryland, for the United States Naval Academy.

In 1878, in a noteworthy journey, the USS Constitution ferried American artwork and industrial displays to the Paris Exposition, thus, making her entry into the art scenes in all grandeur.

After serving for almost 100 years, the Constitution retired from active service in 1881. It then started its enterprise as a receiving ship until being designated a museum ship in 1907. In 1934, she even went on a three-year adventure, completing a 90-port tour of the country. She also sailed, fueled by her own power, in 1997 and 2012, to celebrate her anniversary and the anniversary of her victory over HMS Guerriere respectively.

Sitting afloat in the Charlestown Navy Yard of the Boston harbor, the USS Constitution Museum was commissioned in 1972 to spread awareness and disseminate knowledge among students and maritime, navy enthusiasts about the days of yore!

How is the iconic USS Constitution doing now?

The USS Constitution displayed many such historic, heroic feats in her time, and continues to make her country proud. In the Boston harbor, Constitution, dressed overall, occasionally fires the 17-gun salute, with the latest one being at the 2024 Chief of Naval Operations' Chief Petty Officer Heritage Training in September.

It is still said that the USS Constitution can't be defeated and has had an impeccable battle record. Invincible, she is known to have won all of the sea battles (almost 40) she participated in!