Early Republic · Massachusetts
USS Constitution
Also known as Old Ironsides
'Old Ironsides' firing a salute in Boston Harbor. — U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Matthew R. Fairchild
Why USS Constitution Matters
The USS Constitution — 'Old Ironsides' — is the oldest commissioned warship in the world still afloat. Launched in Boston in 1797 as one of the young United States Navy's first frigates, she won a string of victories in the War of 1812 that made her a national symbol, most famously when British shot seemed to bounce off her thick oak hull. More than two centuries later she is still a commissioned U.S. Navy vessel, crewed by active-duty sailors and berthed in Boston Harbor.
By the Numbers
The Ship
- Nickname
- Old Ironsides
- Launched
- October 21, 1797, in Boston
- Type
- 44-gun heavy frigate, live-oak hull
- Designer
- Joshua Humphreys
- Distinction
- Oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world
War of 1812
- Famous victory
- HMS Guerriere, August 19, 1812
Today
- Operated by
- United States Navy
Timeline
- 1794The Naval Act authorizes six frigates, including Constitution.
- 1797Constitution is launched in Boston on October 21.
- 1803–1805Serves in the First Barbary War in the Mediterranean.
- 1812Defeats HMS Guerriere on August 19, earning the name 'Old Ironsides.'
- 1830Holmes's poem 'Old Ironsides' saves her from being scrapped.
- 1997Sails under her own power on her 200th anniversary.
Complete History
The Constitution was one of six frigates authorized by the Naval Act of 1794 to create a permanent U.S. Navy, and George Washington chose her name. Designed by Joshua Humphreys to be faster and more powerful than typical frigates, she was built in Boston with a hull of tough southern live oak and launched on October 21, 1797. Her early service included action against Barbary corsairs in the Mediterranean.
She earned lasting fame in the War of 1812. On August 19, 1812, in a duel with the British frigate HMS Guerriere, sailors watched enemy cannonballs seem to bounce off her hull, and a crewman is said to have cried out that her sides were made of iron — giving rise to the nickname 'Old Ironsides.' Constitution went on to defeat HMS Java and other British warships, handing the young nation morale-lifting victories at sea and never losing a battle.
By 1830 the aging ship was slated for scrapping until Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.'s poem 'Old Ironsides' rallied the public to save her. Restored repeatedly over the following two centuries, she remains a commissioned warship of the U.S. Navy, berthed at the Charlestown Navy Yard as part of Boston National Historical Park. Crewed by active-duty sailors, she still puts to sea on special occasions.
Historic Images
Interesting Facts
- USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship in the world still afloat, launched in 1797.
- She was named by President George Washington and was one of the first six frigates of the United States Navy.
- Her nickname 'Old Ironsides' arose during an 1812 battle when British cannonballs appeared to bounce off her thick live-oak hull.
- She was never defeated in battle and captured or destroyed numerous enemy vessels during the War of 1812.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.'s 1830 poem 'Old Ironsides' sparked a public campaign that saved the ship from being scrapped.
Visiting Today
- Hours
- The ship is open for visitors several days a week, with hours set by the U.S. Navy; a valid photo ID may be required for adults because she sits on an active base. The nearby USS Constitution Museum keeps its own hours.
- Admission
- Touring the ship is free. The adjacent USS Constitution Museum asks for a suggested donation.
- Best time to visit
- Weekday mornings are quietest; check the schedule for the rare occasions when the ship is underway in the harbor.
- Nearby
- The Bunker Hill Monument, the Charlestown Navy Yard, and Boston's North End across the river.
The ship is docked on an active naval facility, so adults should bring a photo ID and allow time for a security screening. Pair the visit with the free USS Constitution Museum nearby, which is especially good for families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is USS Constitution called Old Ironsides?
During an 1812 battle with HMS Guerriere, British cannonballs seemed to bounce off her thick live-oak hull, and sailors declared her sides were made of iron — earning her the nickname 'Old Ironsides.'
Is USS Constitution still a commissioned ship?
Yes. She is the oldest commissioned warship in the world still afloat and is crewed by active-duty U.S. Navy sailors, who help maintain her and welcome visitors.
Can you visit USS Constitution?
Yes. She is berthed at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, part of Boston National Historical Park, and is open for free tours led by her Navy crew. A nearby museum tells her story.
When was USS Constitution built?
She was launched on October 21, 1797, in Boston, one of six original frigates authorized to establish the United States Navy.
