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Posted on 08/19/2025 5:42:02 AM PDT by Bull Snipe
The frigate Constitution, under the command of Captain Isaac Hull, engages the British frigate Guerriere in the waters off the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. The British vessel opens fire first and many of its shots bounce off the side of the American frigate, whose crew bestows upon it the famous name “Old Ironsides.” Drawing abreast of one another, the two ships exchange broadsides. Within 30 minutes, Guerriere is a dismasted hulk. Her captain strikes its colors, giving Constitution and the young nation of the United States a stirring victory.
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When I’m up in the northeast I sometimes drive to Boston just to walk on the USS Constitution. Imagine how much havoc the Constitution would have done if Decatur had commanded it for more than a few days.
On this date in 1812...it was August 19th...............
The War of 1812 is sometimes called the second American revolution.
“shots bounce off .... named Old Ironsides.” It was made of Live Oak which is in neither the white oak family nor red oak family. Live oak is about 50% more dense than either the other two oak families. It grows in the southern US.
PING
bttt
Thanks Tennessee Nana. Sometime back when I was still young and pretty, I toured it, walked the deck. listened to the guide describe some of the nicknames given to the guns, visited the capt's quarters. I think the restoration and refit was done after that, so I'd like to visit again.
Later, Constitution would sink the frigate HMS Java as well.
Constitution was called a frigate, but her scantlings and weight of metal (44 x 24 pounders) were more like that of a ship-of-the-line.
The first shots from the Guerriere were undercharged, so, of course they bounced off. Against a European frigate, an undercharge would have the shot go through the first bulkhead, and then bounce around inside causing mayhem and death. A full charge even at distance would go through one side and then out the other, causing damage, but, not as bad.
It was too late after that, the Consitution’s Oak was better than the Brits at close range and the American Frigate, being a bigger ship, with more guns, won the day. Even after a fierce boarding action!
Also, the Americans followed the French tactic of firing on the up roll into the rigging. The RN practiced firing on the down roll into the hull.
100%
Years ago my 10 yo granddaughter and I toured the Constitution
She had a blast and it was fun just watching her understand we had such a history
The Constitution is still a commissioned ship and to keep that status she has to move at least once a year
Every 4th of July they take her up the river and back
People used to be able to apply for a lottery ticket to be a passenger
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