USS Constitution, 1797~

Symbolic Flagship of US Fleet

When the construction of 6 new frigates was authorized by the Congress in 1794, nobody could imagine that one of them would have such a successful career for over 200 years.

The 204’ (L.O.A.) ship was constructed in Boston and launched on October 21^st, 1797.  As she made her way into the harbor, Captain James Sever christened the frigate USS Constitution with a bottle of Maderia wine.

With her original rigging, her 3 masts supported up to 43,000 square feet of sails, powering the ship at more than 13 knots and displacing 2,250 tons.  In 1997, after a major refit, the number of sails was reduced from 36 to 6.

USS Constitution and her crew of 500 officers, midshipmen, seamen, marines and boys, was involved in over 30 engagments during her most active sailing days (1798-1855), which included the Quasi War with France (1798-1801), the Barbary Wars (1801-1805), and the War of 1812.  She was never defeated in battle.

She was designated as the US symbolic flagship of the US fleet in 1940 and is now based in Boston harbor.