USS Constitution Statistics
Armament:
(32) 24 - pound Long Guns; Crew: 6 - 14; Range: 1200 yards; Weight: 5600 lbs.
(20) 32 - pound Carronades; Crew: 4 - 9; Range: 400 yds; Weight: 2200 lbs.
(2) 24 - pound Bow Chasers; Range: 1000 yds.
Ship's Statistics:
Sail Area: 42,710 square feet.
Speed: 13+ knots
Foremast Height: 198 feet.
Mainmast Height: 220 feet.
Mizzenmast Height: 172 feet., 6 inches
Displacement: 2200 tons
Length: 204 feet. (billet head to taffrail)
175 feet. (at waterline)
Crew:
(1812 era): 450, including: 55 Marines, 30 small boys, 20-30 officers & midshipmen
(Today): 50 - 80 active duty Navy Sailors
Anchors:
2 Main Bowers 5300 lbs.
1 Sheet Anchor 5400 lbs.
1 Stream Anchor 1100 lbs.
2 Kedge Anchors 700 - 400 lbs.
Boats:
1 Longboat 36 feet.
2 Cutters 30 feet.
2 Whaleboats 28 feet.
1 Gig 28 feet.
1 Jolly 22 feet.
1 Punt 14 feet.
1794, March 27 - Naval Armament Act signed by President George Washington.
1794-1797 - Under construction in Boston.
1797, Oct. 21 - USS Constitution launched.
1798, July 22 - Ship puts to sea for first time.
1798-1801 - Quasi-war against France, protecting merchant shipping from French privateers.
1803 - 1805 - Barbary Wars.
1812, Aug. 19 - Constitution vs. HMS Guerriere. Ship earns nickname “Old Ironsides”.
1812, Dec. 29 - Constitution vs. HMS Java.
1815, Feb 20 - Constitution vs. HMS Cyanne, HMS Levant.
1828 - 1833 - Rumored ship will be scrapped
1830 - Oliver Wendell Holmes writes poem “Old Ironsides”. Congress approves funding for restoration.
1844 - 1851 - “World Cruise” Constitution travels over 52,000 miles around the globe.
1860 - 1870 - Constitution serves as a training ship at Naval Academy.
1882 - 1897 - Moored in New Hampshire serving as a receiving ship for new recruits.
1897, Sep. 21 - Constitution returns to Boston.
1925 - 1927 - Pennies campaign to restore ship
1927 - 1930 - Extensive restoration.
1931 - 1934 - “Three Coast Tour” of U.S.
1997, Jul. 21 - USS Constitution sails for the first time in 116 years.
The Constitution currently serves as a museum ship in Charlestown (Boston), Massachusetts.
