USS Constitution Facts for Kids

USS Constitution, August 2012

The USS Constitution is a very special ship in the United States Navy. It's made of wood and has three masts. President George Washington named it after the Constitution of the United States of America. This makes it the oldest warship in the world that is still floating and active!

This amazing ship was built a long time ago, starting in 1794. It was finally launched into the water in 1797. The Constitution was one of six big ships planned for the new U.S. Navy. Joshua Humphreys designed these ships to be very strong and powerful. They were bigger and had more weapons than other ships of that time. The Constitution was built in Boston, Massachusetts. Its first jobs were to protect American trading ships from France during the Quasi-War and to fight pirates in the First Barbary War.

"Old Ironsides" and Famous Battles
A Ship That Never Gives Up
Images for kids
See also

"Old Ironsides" and Famous Battles

The Constitution is most famous for its actions during the War of 1812 against Great Britain. During this war, it captured many trading ships and defeated five British warships. These ships were HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane, and Levant.

On August 19, 1812, the USS Constitution and HMS Guerriere had a big battle. It happened about 400 miles (650 km) southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The American captain was Isaac Hull, and the British captain was James Richard Dacres. Around 2:00 PM, the USS Constitution found the HMS Guerriere and attacked it.

During the fight, one American officer was killed, and another was hurt by musket fire. Captain Dacres was also wounded. A shot hit the Constitution's cabin and started a fire. The HMS Guerriere was also badly burned and damaged. Captain Dacres wanted to keep fighting, but his ship was sinking. He was asked if he was ready to give up. He said he didn't know but that they could no longer fight. Soon after, he surrendered, and the HMS Guerriere sank.

This battle with Guerriere earned the Constitution its famous nickname, "Old Ironsides." People loved the ship so much that it has been saved from being taken apart many times.

A Ship That Never Gives Up

After the War of 1812, the Constitution continued to serve the nation. It was a lead ship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons. In the 1840s, it even sailed all the way around the world!

During the American Civil War, the ship was used to train sailors for the United States Naval Academy. It also carried art and industrial displays to the Paris Exposition of 1878. The Constitution stopped active service in 1881. It then served as a receiving ship until 1907, when it became a museum ship.

In 1934, it finished a three-year tour, visiting 90 ports across the nation. The Constitution sailed on its own power for its 200th birthday in 1997. It sailed again in August 2012 to celebrate 200 years since its victory over Guerriere.