USS Constitution Sailing Ship
Still a part of the U.S. Navy ship roster, and the oldest commissioned warship
afloat, the USS Constitution was launched in Boston on October 21, 1797. In
the late 1790’s, her first mission was to guard American commerce in the
Caribbean against French depredations. In 1803, commissioned by President Thomas
Jefferson, The USS Constitution sailed to the Mediterranean to protect American
ships and seamen from attack by the Barbary pirates.
In battle during the War of 1812, the USS Constitution received her well-known
nickname, “Old Ironsides.” The seamen were amazed at how the British
balls simply bounced off her hull and cried out, “Huzzah! Her sides
are made of iron.”
A symbol of America’s proud naval heritage, patriotism and pride, the
USS Constitution is a tangible piece of American History.
Click
on image above to view!
