Yeah ,
USS Constitution was launched in
1797 to protect American shipping . The
ship was constructed of sturdy live oak ,
white oak , red cedar and pitch pine .
She is 207 ft from billet head to taf
rail and 43 a half feet at her widest
section . She was designed to carry 44
guns , but almost always carried more .
In the war of 1812 , constitution was
one of only a few US Navy frigates ,
but was also of larger than average
size , allowing her to carry more and
heavier guns than her adversaries . In
August 1812 , Constitution met the
British Warship , H . M . S . Gary Air .
In the Atlantic captain Isaac Hall in
command of Constitution brought his
ship within 25 yards of Gary air
blasting the enemy at point blank range .
The two ships locked together in a
tangle of rigging as they traded cannon
fire . When they separated Constitution
sailed ahead while gary airs weakened ,
fore and main masts fell , leaving the
ship dead in the water unable to
continue the fight , the british
surrendered during the battle .
Guerriere shot failed to always
penetrate constitution , sturdy hall
earning her the enduring nickname . Old
Ironsides Constitution would encounter
other british warships during the war
and each time emerged victorious Though ,
her battles didn't have much effect on
the outcome of the war . Her victories
against the Royal Navy were a source of
inspiration to Americans . Constitution
remained an active worship until the
1850s when she began a new role as a
training ship for midshipmen , a
valuable service , she filled for
another three decades today , Old
Ironsides remains the oldest
commissioned warship afloat in the
world , and America's Ship of state and
is birthed in boston harbor . The
average annual visitation is 500,000
national and international visitors .
The US Navy is responsible for annual
repairs and periodic restorations with
a mission to bring the ship back to her
1812 configuration as far as
practicable , U . S . S . Constitution ,
a reminder of the proud and lasting
legacy of the United States Navy .
Yeah , America's Navy , keeping the
sea free for more than 200 years .