USS Constitution

[Absalom]

Just spent a day in Boston and got a chance for a quick visit to the Navy Yard and the frigate USS Constitution, which had just reopened to the public after an extended time in dry dock for refurbishment.

Great old ship; I highly recommend it if you're in the area. I got lucky and struck up aconversation with one of the sailors posted by the ship, who'd been with the ship for three years and was just about to rotate out to Coronado. Fascinating fountain of knowledge, great young man.

 

[bigwheelzip]

She's a great old ship, in a great old town.

 

[jack the toad]

back when there were iron men and wooden ships...
I've been on board (while docked) years ago. Pretty cool, thanks for sharing.

 

[Iggy]

Nice to see it back in shape. I built a model of the old girl when I was a kid. I was there just before she went into dry dock. It was neat to be able to go aboard.

 

[Chromedhearts]

I believe she is the only currently commissioned ship to have actually sunk an enemy ship


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[jack the toad]

I believe she is the only currently commissioned ship to have actually sunk an enemy ship

I wouldn't doubt it and is definitely the oldest commissioned.

 

[SailDesign]

I wouldn't doubt it and is definitely the oldest commissioned.

Oldest one still afloat.

USS Constitution was launched in 1797, but Admiral Lord Nelson's HMS Victory in the UK is still commissioned and was launched in 1765 - but is not afloat.

Grand old ladies, both of them.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

I hope they can keep her afloat, but the costs are prohibitive in the long run. There are so many ships that need saving, and most will only be saved if they are removed from water, which is terrible for preservation. I'm thinking of Dewey's flagship in Philadelphia especially.

 

[walkinghorse]

With all of the refurbishing, refits, drydocks, etc. over the years, How much of the original ship remains? Just metal parts? I have been on the USS Constitution several times since the early 1960's and do not remember if that is ever mentioned or noted?

 

[bigwheelzip]

How much of the original ship remains?

Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston, the unit charged with overseeing Constitution’s maintenance and repair, estimates that 10 to 15 percent of the ship’s fabric is composed of timber installed between 1795 and 1797. This “original” wood includes the ship’s keel, lower futtocks, and the deadwood at the stem and stern.

 

[Faulkner]

With all of the refurbishing, refits, drydocks, etc. over the years, How much of the original ship remains? Just metal parts? I have been on the USS Constitution several times since the early 1960's and do not remember if that is ever mentioned or noted?

I just googled the question how much is original and found that it's about 15%.

 

[Absalom]

With all of the refurbishing, refits, drydocks, etc. over the years, How much of the original ship remains? Just metal parts? I have been on the USS Constitution several times since the early 1960's and do not remember if that is ever mentioned or noted?

The sailor I talked to at the ship told me the USS Constitution represents the first six frigates of the US Navy quite literally as it contains original components from several others. And the plans of the USS President made by the British naval engineers after her capture by the British in the War of 1812 supposedly became important when serious restoration work started on the Constitution in the early 20th century.

 

[bushmaster1313]

My mom grew up in Boston and told me about collecting pennies to restore
Old Ironsides. We did not call it the USS Constitution

 

[Texas Star]

How many guns and what size did a frigate carry then?

What about a ship of the line/battleship?

I'm trying to get things in perspective.

 

[Muley Gil]

When I was in grade school in the 1960s, the USF Constellation was said to be the oldest frigate, slightly older than the Constitution, and was docked in Baltimore harbor.

Now, the Navy says that the Constellation was rebuilt as a corvette in 1854. The story goes that the funds came from refurbishing, but instead went to building a mostly new ship.

Even back then, you couldn't trust the gubment!

 

[jeffsmith]

USS_Constitution#Armament

How many guns and what size did a frigate carry then?

What about a ship of the line/battleship?

I'm trying to get things in perspective.

 

[Cyrano]

The Constitdution was the high point of a visit to Boston a few years ago. One disappointment was the guns on the gun deck; they bore the British broad arrow and had a cypher on them that was probably that of King George III. I asked the tour guide about them. He said the Navy ordered replicas but the comapny sent the wrong guns: British instead of US. I'm surprised the Navy didn't send them back and tell the company to furnish what was ordered. However who but a gun nut like me would have noticed?

 

[britbike1]

How many guns and what size did a frigate carry then?

What about a ship of the line/battleship?

I'm trying to get things in perspective.

I believe she carried 44 guns nominally however the captains could alter with what they wanted and could find. Started at 32 pounders and and 24 pounders.

A frigate was supposed to be fast enough to outrun anything bigger and outfight anything smaller.

A ship of the line, 1st rate, like the Victory would have 100+ on 3 decks and a crew of 900.

 

[SailDesign]

I believe she carried 44 guns nominally however the captains could alter with what they wanted and could find. Started at 32 pounders and and 24 pounders.

A frigate was supposed to be fast enough to outrun anything bigger and outfight anything smaller.

A ship of the line, 1st rate, like the Victory would have 100+ on 3 decks and a crew of 900.

Yup. For those not familiar with the ship, here's a photo.

 

[Murphy's Law]

Being an old salt myself w/22 years active service, I can appreciate the hardships sailors endured on those wooden ships even though she was probably one of the biggest and best armed ships of her era.