SKU: constitution

One of the six original Frigates authorized by the US Congress in 1794, she is generally regarded as the most famous ship in the history of the US Navy.  Launched in 1797, she served in the quasi war with France and in the war with Tripoli (1801-05).  It was in the war of 1812 with Britain that she established her enduring reputation.  On the 19th of August, 1812, she destroyed the British Frigate HMS Gueriere of 44 guns.  During this conflict she received her nickname of “old Ironsides”.  On the 29th of December, 1812, she captured and destroyed the Frigate HMS Java.  She followed this up with the capture of HMS Cyane and HMS Levant on the 20th of February 1815.  In 1828 she was condemned as unseaworthy and it was recommended that she “be broken up”.  In his poem “Old Ironsides” Oliver Wendell Holmes aroused public sentiment for the preservation of the old vessel and as far as possible the ship has been restored and is now berthed in the Boston Navy yard.