Tag Archives: USS Constitution Wars

USS Constitution Wars – Civil War

by johnk on 26. May, 2010 in Model Ship History

At the onset of the American Civil War in April 1816, threats from Confederate sympathizers against USS Constitution prompted her relocation to a safe distance further north. To protect her, several companies made up of Massachusetts volunteer soldiers were stationed aboard USS Constitution. At first, R.R. Cuyler had USS Constitution towed to New York City on April 29, but later relocated her once again, as well as the Naval Academy, to Fort Adams near Newport, Rhode Island, for much of the war. After the sister ship United States was left by the Union and subsequently captured by the Confederacy at Gosport Shipyard in Norfolk, USS Constitution became the only remaining frigate of the United States original six frigates.

The US Navy’s last sailing frigate, Santee, was launched in 1855. As steamships began replacing sail powered ships in the US Navy during the 1850s, many of the sailing powered ships became assigned for training duty. With the formation of the United States Naval Academy in 1845, there became a growing need for student housing quarters, and in 1857, USS Constitution was moved to dry dock at the Portsmouth Navy Yard on August 1, 1860, to be converted into a training ship. During this process, many of the earliest photographs of USS Constitution were taken. The refitting added classrooms on her spar and gun decks, reduced her armament to 16 guns, and changed her rating to a 2nd rate ship.

In honor of USS Constitution’s long tradition of service, the US Navy launched a new ironclad on May 10, 1862, that was dubbed New Ironsides. This USS Constitution successor was created to take part in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron’s bombardment of Fort Sumter on April 7, 1863. However, New Ironsides’ career was not to last long, as she was destroyed by fire while in ordinary at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on December 16, 1865.

USS Constitution, and the rest of the Naval Academy, was once again moved, this time to Annapolis, on August 1865. In route, USS Constitution sailed on her own merit, and was recorded running at 9 knots, or 10 mph, and set port in Hampton Roads some ten hours ahead of the tug. Upon arrival, a new set of upgrades were constructed for USS Constitution, that included steam pipes, radiators, and gas lighting. Her new position was a summer training cruise course for midshipman, and would depart each year from June to August. For the remainder of the year she would function as a classroom. William Bryant, the last know plank owner of USS Constitution died in June,1867, in Maine. From there, George Dewey took command that November, and served as commanding officer until 1870. The following year, USS Constitution’s condition was so poor that she was retired as a training ship and placed in ordinary at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on September 26.

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USS Constitution Wars – War of 1812 Aftermath

by johnk on 24. May, 2010 in Uncategorized

Stewart and USS Constitution’s capture of Susanna led to information that HMS Inconstant was transporting gold bullion back to England, and Stewart, scheming for a new prize, set a course for Guinea. Eventually the crew made west towards Brazil from their Guinea path, and ported into Maranhão on April 2 to unload her British prisoners and stock up on drinking water for the journey ahead. While at Maranhão, Stewart learned of a rumor that the Treaty of Ghent had been ratified, and this was verified to him on April 28 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At this, Stewart quickly changed destinations for America, and arrived in New York on May 15 to large celebrations of peace. However, USS Constitution’s sister ships, Chesapeake and President were not among the returning, as they had been captured by enemy forces in 1813 and 1815 respectively.

By January 1816, USS Constitution was removed from action and placed in ordinary, causing her to miss the action of the Second Barbary War. Four years later, however, in April 1820, Isaac Hull, the Charlestown Navy Yard commandant, ordered USS Constitution to be reinstated for duty with the Mediterranean Squadron. The remodeling of USS Constitution led to some changes in her construction, including removing Joshua Humphrey’s diagonal riders to create space for two iron freshwater tanks. Also, the timbers underneath of her waterline and the copper sheathings were replaced. Furthermore, USS Constitution was given a rather unusual operation for a US Navy ship (at the orders of Secretary of the Navy Smith Thompson), which was the inclusion of manually operated paddle wheels. These manual paddles were to help USS Constitution in the event that calm seas and winds prevented movement. The paddles were able to propel the ship up to 3 knots, or about 3.5 mph, by the crew using the ship’s capstan. While the testing stage was a success, Hull, and new commanding officer of USS Constitution, Jacob Jones, were both put off by the idea of paddle wheels on a US Navy ship. Therefore, before departing on a three year tour of the Mediterranean on May 13, 1821, Jones had the paddle wheels removed and stored in the cargo hold.

The uneventful tour of USS Constitution, Ontario, and Nonsuch, saw a crew devoid of discipline and patience. The crews behavior during their shore leaves would brand Jones a reputation as an easy going commodore with no control over his men. The behavior of the crew became so uncontrollable that the Navy ordered Jones to return. When Jones and USS Constitution arrived in Boston on May 31, 1824, Jones was effectively stripped of his command. His successor, Thomas MacDonough sailed for the Mediterranean on October 29 under orders of John Rodgers in North Carolina. The change in command led to a more disciplined crew, but nonetheless, an uneventful tour. MacDonough resigned due to health reasons on October 9, 1825, and USS Constitution was put in for repairs in December until January 1826. The next commander of USS Constitution would be Daniel Todd, who assumed control on February 21.

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USS Constitution Wars – War of 1812

by johnk on 14. May, 2010 in Model Ship History

When the USS Constitution was recommissioned and overhauled with Captain John Rodgers at the helm, Rodgers bypassed new copper sheathing for USS Constitution. This shortcut of re-hauling the ship later caused Rodgers to state that she was a “slow sailer”. For the next two years, USS Constitution engaged in training runs and ordinary duty. In June 1810, the new commander Isaac Hull saw it necessary to have the bottom hull cleaned, which carried “ten waggon loads” of barnacles and seaweed. Hull began preparing USS Constitution for sail to France with Ambassador Joel Barlow and his family. The crew left on August 5 1811 and arrived in France on September 1. With tensions high between the Americans and British, Hull kept his crew sharp by running sail and gun drills.

On June 18 war was declared, and by July 12 Hull set out to group up with five ships under the command of Rodgers in President. While in route, Hull sighted five ships off Egg Harbor, New Jersey, to which he believed to be Rodgers’ squadron, but later found out that they were a British Squadron consisting of: HMS Aeolus, Africa, Belvidera, Guerriere, and Shannon. The British squadron was in pursuit of USS Constitution, and the resulting chase would go on for days with many methods employed by both to out sail the other.

Hull attempted to lose weight and push his ship faster by using a tactic known as kedging. To this end, the crew began putting boats over the side, and using kedge anchors to draw the ship forward. Also, Hull had the sails wetted down to take full advantage of the wind. However, the British imitated these tactics and remained close in pursuit of Hull’s squadron. Finally, after dumping over 2,300 gallons of drinking water, the USS Constitution was able to outrun their British pursuers, who abandoned chase shortly thereafter. The chase lasted over 57 hours.

On July 27, USS Constitution arrived in Boston to rejuvenate itself and the crew with supplies. Hull sailed with his crew on August 2, without orders, on a northeast route towards the British shipping lanes close to Halifax to avoid being blockaded in port. During the sail, USS Constitution captured three British merchantmen, and Hull, not wanting to risk taking them to an American port, had them burned. By August 16, Hull learned that a British frigate to the south was giving chase, and prepared for another encounter with the British.

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USS Constitution Wars – First Barbary War

by johnk on 07. May, 2010 in Model Ship History

While the United States was engaged with France during the Quasi-War, Barbary States troubles were boiling, subdued only by a payment of tribute to keep American merchant ships from being harassed and seized. However, in 1801 Yusuf Karamanli of Tripoli became displeased with the tribute amount, citing that Algiers received more, and demanded to be paid a sum of $250,000 immediately. Thomas Jefferson responded by sending a squadron of frigates to keep the American merchant ships protected. One of the squadrons, President, commanded by Richard Dale, was to escort merchant ships through the Mediterranean to pursue peace discussions with the Barbary States leaders. A second squadron, the Chesapeake, commanded by Richard Valentin Morris, was dismissed from the Navy in 1803 due to Morris’s lousy performance.

USS Constitution became recommissioned on May 13, 1803, as Captain Edward Preble’s flagship. USS Constitution needed new copper sheathing on the hull, which was supplied by Paul Revere. Once USS Constitution was up to par, she departed Boston on August 14, and by September 6 she encountered an unknown ship that would test the mettle of both captains. Preble hailed the ship in the darkness, and was hailed back in return. Preble complied and identified his ship as the United States frigate Constitution. When the other ship did not respond, a fed up Preble stated, “I am now going to hail you for the last time. If a proper answer is not returned, I will fire a shot into you.” The unknown ship responded, “if you give me a shot, I’ll give you a broadside”. Finally, the unknown ship identified itself as “His Britannic Majesty’s ship Donegal, 84-guns, Sir Richard Strachan, an English commodore”, and commanded USS Constitution to “send your boat on board”. Preble fired back by saying “This is United States ship Constitution, 44-guns, Edward Preble, an American commodore, who will be damned before he sends his boat on board of any vessel.” At this, he prompted his crew to get their guns ready, but before the incident could escalate, the British ship sent a lieutenant to relay the Captain’s apologies. As it turned out, the ship that identified itself as the Donegal was in fact HMS Maidstone, a 32-gun frigate. Preble’s defiance of what he thought was an 84-gun ship of the line formed a bond between him and his crew, who became dubbed “Preble’s boys”.

On September 12, Preble awaited orders in Gibraltar, which arranged for him to make a treaty with the Sultan of Morocco, Slimane, who had American ships in his possession. The Sultan was holding these ships in order to insure the safe return of two ships of his the Americans had captured. On October 3, Preble took the USS Constitution and Nautilus to Tangiers, and was met the next day by Adams and New York. The Sultan, seeing the strength of the Americans, was more than pleased to arrange the transfer of the ships.

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USS Constitution Wars – Quasi-War

by johnk on 05. May, 2010 in Model Ship History

When the USS Constitution was reaching the end of its fitting period, Nicholson received the authorization to recruit sailors and midshipmen, but the recruitment process was not met with much enthusiasm by potential recruits. This is due in part to Nicholson’s character, which often rubbed people the wrong way. A Boston Naval Agent described Nicholson as “a rough, blustering tar merely, a man whose noise and vanity is disgusting to the sailors”.

The USS Constitution was still not complete, and to speed up the process, sixteen 18-pound cannons were borrowed from Castle Island to be used on the USS Constitution. Finally, on the evening of July 22, 1798, the USS Constitution set out to sea. The USS Constitution was under the orders to patrol the Eastern Seaboard between New Hampshire and New York. In late May, President Adams ordered that all Navy ships patrol for French armed forces, and attempt to free American ships under French captivity. After a month of sailing between Chesapeake Bay and Savannah, Georgia, Nicholson capitalized on an opportunity to capture a prize off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. On September 8, Nicholson and his crew intercepted Niger, a 24-gun ship commanded by a French crew claiming to be under orders from Great Britain. In spite of this, Nicholson captured the crew of the Niger, placed a prize crew (captured crew members put in charge of the captured ship’s operations) aboard Niger, and had her brought to Norfolk, Virginia. The USS Constitution sailed south a week later while escorting a merchant convoy, but a gale badly damaged her bowsprit and forced her to return to Boston. During this, Secretary of the Navy, Benjamin Stoddert concluded that the Niger was in fact operating under Great Britain, and the detained ship and crew were subsequently released. Because of this fiasco, the American Government was forced to pay a restitution fee of 11,000 to Great Britain.

The USS Constitution departed Boston on December 29 to report to Commodore John Barry (often referred to as “The father of the American navy”) off the island of Dominica to start patrolling the West Indies. By the fifteenth of January 1799, the USS Constitution intercepted Spencer, an English merchantman ship, that was captured a few days before by the French frigate L Insurgente. Perhaps unsure of himself after what happened with the Niger, Nicholson released the French ship and crew the following morning.

Extensive repairs on the USS Constitution for storm damage put the ship out of commission for awhile. However, n March 1, USS Constitution and HMS Santa Margarita agreed to a friendly sailing duel. After 11 hours, the Santa Margarita admitted defeat and payed the reward of a cask of wine to Nicholson. When USS Constitution resumed its patrol, she freed the American vessel Neutrality, and the French Carteret. However, Secretary Stoddert decided to recall USS Constitution to Boston where Nicholson would be relieved of his command.

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