Blog

She got off to a rather awkward start.  Her launch was scheduled for September 20, 1797.  President John Adams and Massachusetts Governor Increase Sumner were present for the occasion.  When the launch was initiated she moved down the slideways only 27 feet before stopping.  Having been built larger and stronger than other frigates of that era, her weight had caused the slideways to settle into the ground, preventing further movement.   A second attempt on September 22 resulted in another 31 feet of movement before she was again stuck.  After a month spent rebuilding the slideways, the USS Constitution finally slipped into Boston Harbor on October 21, 1797.

The Constitution offered much-needed protection for US merchant ships and defeated Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean off the north coast of Africa.  During her most remembered battle in the War of 1812, it was reported that enemy cannon balls bounced off her sides, earning her the nickname “Old Ironsides.”  After 222 years, the USS Constitution is still a fully commissioned Navy ship.  Her crew of 60 officers and sailors are all active-duty Navy personnel. 

If you’re ever following Boston’s Freedom Trail (see History 101) be sure to stop in at Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard.  After passing through security you can climb aboard and tour both above and below decks.  The Navy personnel on board are well-versed in their subject and will be glad to answer your questions.  When I first boarded I found myself staring up at the tall masts and turning around to see all of the rigging.  That was enough to make me dizzy!

After being captivated by the tall masts (imagine climbing them while at sea) and the rows of cannons (sailors probably didn’t use ear plugs), I finally was drawn to the smaller details.  It seemed like there were thousands of pulleys in the block-and-tackle assemblies used to hoist the sails.  They were much more impressive than what my dad used on the farm to haul hay up into the mow.  I had no idea of how much rope was used on a ship like this but the USS Constitution Museum website reports that “one sailing vessel could, literally, require miles of standing and running rigging.”

We toured for about one hour and fifteen minutes.  That was probably longer than it would take most people.  After all, we had a photographer along who kept stopping, kneeling, waiting for people to move, etc., and that slowed us down a bit.