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).

Timeline

October 21, 1797:

Related Topics:
October 21 - 1797

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USS Constitution launched and christened at Edmond Hartt's Shipyard, Boston.

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August 1798:

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Ordered into action in the Quasi-War with France.

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1803–1806:

Related Topics:
1803 - 1806

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Flagship, Mediterranean Squadron, Tripolitan War.

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1812–1815: War with United Kingdom.

Related Topics:
1812 - 1815 - United Kingdom

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August 19, 1812:

Related Topics:
August 19 - 1812

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Defeats 38-gun British frigate HMS Guerriere. Crew bestows her with "Old Ironsides" nickname because of canonballs bouncing off her sides

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December 29, 1812:

Related Topics:
December 29 - 1812

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Captures British frigate HMS Java and five smaller vessels.

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February 20, 1815: Captures HMS Cyane sailing in company with HM Sloop Levant.

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February 20 - 1815

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1828–1830

Related Topics:
1828 - 1830

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Laid up at Boston and condemned by naval commissioners, she was saved by the poem "" by Oliver Wendell Holmes.

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March 1844:

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Begins 30-month voyage around the world.

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1920:

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Renamed Old Constitution in preparation for the construction of a brand new all-steel battlecruiser to be named USS Constitution (CC-5).

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1923:

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Constitution (CC-5) is scrapped and the word "Old" is dropped from the name of Old Constitution, restoring her to her original name.

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1931–1934:

Related Topics:
1931 - 1934

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National cruise takes "Old Ironsides" to 90 American cities, returns to her place of honor in Boston harbor.

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March 1996–1997

Related Topics:
1996 - 1997

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Completes 44-month restoration.

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