USS Constitution

The USS Constitution, known as "Old Ironsides" is a wooden-hulled, three-masted frigate of the United States Navy. Named after the United States Constitution, she is the oldest commissioned ship in the world still afloat (HMS Victory is three decades older, but is permanently drydocked).

Related Topics:
Hull - Masted - Frigate - United States Navy - United States Constitution - HMS ''Victory'' - Drydock

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Constitution was one of six frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. Joshua Humphreys designed them to be the Navy's capital ships. Larger and more heavily armed than the standard run of frigate, Constitution and her sisters were formidable opponents even for some ships of the line. For a time, Constitution was assigned the hull classification symbol IX-21 (the "IX" hull code stands for "Unclassified Miscellaneous"), but was reclassified to "none" on 1 September 1975.

Related Topics:
Six frigates - Naval Act of 1794 - Joshua Humphreys - Capital ship - Ships of the line - Hull classification symbol - 1 September - 1975

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