The act provided funds to construct six frigates, but it included a clause that the construction of the ships would be halted if peace terms were agreed to with Algiers. To combat this problem, proposals were made for warships to protect American shipping, resulting in the Naval Act of 1794. In 1793 alone, 11 American ships were captured and their crews and stores held for ransom. In 1785, Barbary pirates, most notably from Algiers, began to seize American merchant vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. Main article: Original six frigates of the United States Navy She is usually berthed at Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard at one end of Boston's Freedom Trail. The officers and crew are all active-duty Navy personnel, and the assignment is considered to be special duty. As she is a fully commissioned Navy ship, her crew of 75 officers and sailors participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events while keeping her open to visitors year round and providing free tours. She sailed under her own power for her 200th birthday in 1997, and again in August 2012 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of her victory over Guerriere.Ĭonstitution 's stated mission today is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through educational outreach, historical demonstration, and active participation in public events as part of the Naval History and Heritage Command. In 1934, she completed a three-year, 90-port tour of the nation. She carried American artwork and industrial displays to the Paris Exposition of 1878.Ĭonstitution was retired from active service in 1881 and served as a receiving ship until being designated a museum ship in 1907. During the American Civil War, she served as a training ship for the United States Naval Academy.

She continued to serve as flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons, and she circled the world in the 1840s. The battle with Guerriere earned her the nickname ' Old Ironsides' and public adoration that has repeatedly saved her from scrapping. Her first duties were to provide protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and to defeat the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War.Ĭonstitution is most noted for her actions during the War of 1812 against the United Kingdom, when she captured numerous merchant ships and defeated five British warships: HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane, and Levant. She was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts. Joshua Humphreys designed the frigates to be the young Navy's capital ships, and so Constitution and her sister ships were larger and more heavily armed and built than standard frigates of the period. The name 'Constitution' was among ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering in March of 1795 for the frigates that were to be constructed.

She was launched in 1797, one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and the third constructed. She is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.

USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. The arrangements above will apply until further notice.Constitution, dressed overall, fires a 17-gun salute in Boston Harbor, 4 July 2014.įirst commander: Captain Samuel Nicholson The Fox’s Chandlery store is now temporarily closed but we remain open Online , and for Telephone Orders from Monday to Friday 09.00-17.30. In the event of an emergency, please contact our Marina Manager, Lee Gilson. Our office is closed and during the present arrangements it will not be possible for us to receive on site visitors and, while we welcome enquires for our services, we ask that you contact us via telephone or email.Į: hope to maintain reduced marina staff cover for the safety and security of vessels afloat and ashore. The Outlook Café, Bar & Bistro, the marina shower and toilet facilities and fuel dock will remain closed until further notice. Whilst Fox’s Marina remains open, we would remind our berth holders and boat owners of the current Government criteria that you should not leave your home for anything other than essential purposes.

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