Oct. 12, 2022

USS Constitution Launches – “A Magnificent Spectacle!” – Part II

Editor’s Note: On May 10, 2022, Naval History and Heritage Command began commemorating the 225th anniversary of the launch of the first of the U.S. Navy’s six frigates (United States), which began the new United States Navy. The launch of the frigates is a significant moment in both U.S. Navy and American history, and the U.S. Navy’s earliest

Sept. 19, 2022

“…she will be one of the finest vessels that ever floated” – The First Attempts to Launch USS Constitution – Part I

Editor’s Note: On May 10, 2022, Naval History and Heritage Command began commemorating the 225th anniversary of the launch of the first of the U.S. Navy’s six frigates (United States), which began the new United States Navy. The launch of the frigates is a significant moment in both U.S. Navy and American history, and the U.S. Navy’s earliest

Aug. 10, 2022

USS Constitution and the Legacy of Live Oak

"Editor's Note: On May 10, 2022, Naval History and Heritage Command will commemorate the 225th anniversary of the launch of the first of the U.S. Navy's six frigates (United States), which began the new United States Navy. The launch of the frigates is a significant moment in both U.S. Navy and American history,  and the U.S. Navy's earliest

March 30, 2020

Weathering the Storm Aboard USS Constitution

On behalf of the crew of USS Constitution, thank you to our partners, fans, and supporters who have celebrated and shared our many accomplishments and events over the years.We also share our trials, and there is no doubt that the global pandemic of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a time that demands strong leaders and unity.In the naval profession,

Feb. 11, 2020

Amidst the Timbers of a Storied Past: Nautical Archaeologists Visit Constitution

In early January 2020, I and many of my fellow archaeologists gathered in Boston, Massachusetts for the 2020 Society for Historical Archaeology meetings. For myself, and some of my fellow graduate students from Texas A&M University's Nautical Archaeology Program, this presented a potential opportunity to visit USS Constitution, one of the original

Oct. 28, 2019

USS Constitution Marks 10 Years as America's Ship of State

George Ropes, Jr. 1813 Oil on Panel, USS Constitution vs. HMS Guerriere, USS Constitution Museum Collection...

March 27, 2019

The Fates of the Six Frigates Created by the Naval Act of 1794

George Washington gives us perhaps one of the greatest quotes to describe our Navy's important role. In a letter he writes: "It follows then as certain that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force, we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious."It should come as no surprise then that on March 27th,

July 20, 2017

Thoughts on the Navy's Future From the Oldest Commissioned Warship Afloat in the World

As I stand on the quarterdeck of the great ship 'Constitution' I am often struck by the deep connections this mighty ship has with the past. She always seemed to keep turning up even after her front line service ended. Today though, I am not writing about the past so much as I am trying to think about the future, the future of the Constitution as

July 17, 2017

A Look at USS Constitution's 2015-2017 Dry Docking and Restoration

USS Constitution, America's Ship of State, entered the Charlestown Navy Yard's Dry Dock 1 the night of May 18, 2015 for a 26-month dry docking and restoration period. Over the course of the past two years the ship restorers and riggers of the Naval History & Heritage Command Detachment Boston and teams of USS Constitution crew accomplished several

May 13, 2015

The Honor of Restoring America's Ship of State

Maintaining USS Constitution's "iron sides" secures a vital part of our nation's great heritage. Since its inception, this ship has fought with and exuded honor, courage and commitment. She is a visible and viable symbol of the value of a well-constructed and well-maintained U.S. Navy, and we cannot permit that illumination of history to be