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127-543: The U.S. Navy Museum is one of ten official Navy museums, and is part of the Naval History & Heritage Command , the official history program of the United States Navy. The U.S. Navy Museum collects , preserves , displays , and interprets historic naval artifacts and artwork to inform, educate , and inspire naval personnel and the general public. The U.S. Navy Museum was established in 1961 and opened to

254-592: A 6-inch gun salvaged from the battleship USS Maine , a titanium pressure sphere from the Alvin undersea exploration vehicle, the Swift Boat PCF-1 , and a 14-inch naval railway gun from the First World War . This large room is dedicated entirely to the history of American submarines . The room features a pair of working periscopes , targeting computers, and battle flags. The U.S. Navy's violent beginning

381-577: A British frigate 100 nmi (190 km; 120 mi) to the south and sailed in pursuit. A frigate was sighted on 19 August and subsequently determined to be HMS  Guerriere (38) with the words "Not The Little Belt" painted on her foretopsail. Guerriere opened fire upon entering range of Constitution , doing little damage. After a few exchanges of cannon fire between the ships, Captain Hull maneuvered Constitution into an advantageous position within 25 yards (23 m) of Guerriere . He then ordered

508-400: A French privateer schooner that, after a short action, was run aground and abandoned by her crew. The privateer was captured and refloated and her two prizes, brig "Nymph" and schooner "Esther", were recaptured. First Lieutenant Isaac Hull led 90 sailors and Marines into Puerto Plata without challenge on 11 May, capturing Sandwich and spiking the guns of the nearby Spanish fort. However, it

635-694: A Historical Section was established in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and housed in the new Navy Department ("Main Navy") Building on Constitution Avenue . When the war ended, Admiral Sims' London collection and photographs and new motion pictures from the various Navy bureaus were transferred to the Historical Section. Holding more than 50,000 volumes, the library remained in the State, War, and Navy Building . In 1921,

762-456: A bottle of Madeira wine on her bowsprit. Constitution was rated as a 44-gun frigate, but she often carried more than 50 guns at a time. Ships of this era had no permanent battery of guns such as those of modern Navy ships. The guns and cannons were designed to be completely portable and often were exchanged between ships as situations warranted. Each commanding officer outfitted armaments to his liking, taking into consideration factors such as

889-507: A broadside that severely damaged Constitution ' s rigging. She was able to recover, however, and returned a series of broadsides to Java . A shot from Java destroyed Constitution ' s helm (wheel), so Bainbridge directed the crew to steer her manually using the tiller for the remainder of the engagement. Bainbridge was wounded twice during the battle. Java ' s bowsprit became entangled in Constitution ' s rigging, as in

1016-400: A clause that the construction of the ships would be halted if peace terms were agreed to with Algiers. Joshua Humphreys ' design was unusual for the time, being deep, long on keel , narrow of beam (width), and mounting very heavy guns. The design called for diagonal riders intended to restrict hogging and sagging while giving the ships extremely heavy planking. This design gave the hull

1143-417: A course for Boston, where British ships HMS  Junon and Tenedos commenced pursuit on 3 April. Stewart ordered drinking water and food to be cast overboard to lighten her load and gain speed, trusting that her mainmast would hold together long enough for her to make her way into Marblehead, Massachusetts . The last item thrown overboard was the supply of spirits. Upon Constitution ' s arrival in

1270-625: A detachment of US Marines under the command of Presley O'Bannon was assembled to attack the city by land. They captured it on 27 April. A peace treaty with Tripoli was signed aboard Constitution on 3 June, in which she embarked the crew members of Philadelphia and returned them to Syracuse. She was then dispatched to Tunis and arrived there on 30 July. Seventeen additional American warships had gathered in its harbor by 1 August: Congress , Constellation , Enterprise , Essex , Franklin , Hornet , John Adams , Nautilus , Syren , and eight gunboats. Negotiations went on for several days until

1397-577: A few months earlier. Bainbridge determined that Constitution required new spar deck planking and beams, masts, sails, and rigging, as well as replacement of her copper bottom. However, personnel and supplies were being diverted to the Great Lakes , causing shortages that kept her in Boston intermittently with her sister ships Chesapeake , Congress , and President for the majority of the year. Charles Stewart took command on 18 July and struggled to complete

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1524-506: A former member of Admiral Sims' wartime staff, Captain Dudley W. Knox , was named head of the Office of Naval Records and Library and the Historical Section. For the next twenty-five years, he was the driving force behind the Navy's historical program, earning for the office an international reputation in the field of naval archives and history. The Historical Section was absorbed into Naval Records and Library in 1927. Knox's additional appointment as

1651-416: A full double-loaded broadside of grape and round shot, which took out Guerriere ' s mizzenmast. Guerriere ' s maneuverability decreased with her mizzenmast dragging in the water, and she collided with Constitution , entangling her bowsprit in Constitution ' s mizzen rigging. This left only Guerriere ' s bow guns capable of effective fire. Hull's cabin caught fire from the shots, but it

1778-623: A greater strength than a more lightly built frigate. It was based on Humphrey's realization that the fledgling United States could not match the European states in the size of their navies, so they were designed to overpower any other frigate while escaping from a ship of the line . Her keel was laid down on 1 November 1794 at Edmund Hartt 's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson , master shipwright Colonel George Claghorn and Foreman Prince Athearn of

1905-553: A legacy of educating the public. In the tradition of its predecessors on the Washington Navy Yard beginning in 1865, the current museum features a collection that dates from 1800. The museum's collection moved twice before Admiral Arleigh Burke established the current museum, Building 76, in 1963 to create an American naval history museum comparable to those in Europe. The U.S. Navy Museum continues to embody Burke's vision of sharing

2032-535: A major refitting. She was overhauled at a cost just under $ 100,000; however, Rodgers inexplicably failed to clean her copper sheathing , leading him to later declare her a "slow sailer". She spent most of the following two years on training runs and ordinary duty. Isaac Hull took command in June 1810, and he immediately recognized that she needed her bottom cleaned. "Ten waggon loads" of barnacles and seaweed were removed. Hull departed for France on 5 August 1811, transporting

2159-467: A plan of action and milestones for any corrective action; as far as practicable, ensure material compliance and documentation with the historical requirements for the ship, as close to its 1812 configuration as possible. The detachment was established on 25 October 1991. NHHC DET Boston is a detachment under the direct supervision of the Director, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C. Located near

2286-560: A reef and was pulled off 45 minutes later. With the terms of enlistment soon to expire for the sailors aboard her, she made preparations to return to the United States and was relieved of duty by Constellation on 23 July. Constitution escorted 12 merchantmen to Philadelphia on her return voyage, and on 25 August arrived in President Roads, off Boston, and put in quarantine. She received new masts, sails, and rigging. Even though peace

2413-519: A short-term blockade of the harbor finally produced a peace treaty on 14 August. Rodgers remained in command of the squadron, sending warships back to the United States when they were no longer needed. Eventually, all that remained were Constitution , Enterprise , and Hornet . They performed routine patrols and observed the French and Royal Navy operations of the Napoleonic Wars . Rodgers turned over

2540-472: A small exhibit on the history of navigation at sea. The room is filled with charts, chronometers, and meteorological equipment. This exhibit detailing the U.S. Navy's brief involvement in the First World War explains the dangerous task of submarine-hunting and showcases models of warships of the period, a captured German flag, and footage of a U.S. Navy railway gun in action. The most extensive section of

2667-669: A squadron of frigates to protect American merchant ships in the Mediterranean and to pursue peace with the Barbary States. The first squadron under the command of Richard Dale in President was instructed to escort merchant ships through the Mediterranean and to negotiate with leaders of the Barbary States. A second squadron was assembled under the command of Richard Valentine Morris in Chesapeake . The performance of Morris's squadron

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2794-456: A summer attack on Tripoli. He procured a number of smaller gunboats that could move in closer to Tripoli than was feasible for Constitution , given her deep draft. Constitution , Argus , Enterprise , Scourge , Syren , the six gunboats, and two bomb ketches arrived the morning of 3 August and immediately began operations. Twenty-two Tripoline gunboats met them in the harbor; Constitution and her squadron severely damaged or destroyed

2921-467: A three-year, 90-port tour of the nation. She sailed under her own power for her 200th birthday in 1997, and again in August 2012 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of her victory over Guerriere . Constitution ' s stated mission today is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through educational outreach, historical demonstration, and active participation in public events as part of

3048-595: Is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy . She is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. She was launched in 1797, one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and the third constructed. The name "Constitution" was among ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering in March of 1795 for

3175-681: Is documented near the museum's entrance with a video kiosk, weapons, and depictions of early American Navy heroes. This exhibit features artifacts from the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War and the Second Barbary War , the War of 1812 , and the Mexican–American War . The centerpiece of this exhibit is a replica of USS  Constitution gun deck. The Civil War exhibit shows

3302-733: Is in the north end, as well as on the Battle of Trafalgar , which features a short film on naval artillery based on the 2003 film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World . The Navy Museum was featured in Ephemera , the Season 17 Episode 16 episode of the CBS TV series NCIS . On October 13, 2020, then- United States Secretary of the Navy Kenneth Braithwaite announced that a new National Museum of

3429-406: The Naval History and Heritage Command . As she is a fully commissioned Navy ship, her crew of 75 officers and sailors participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events while keeping her open to visitors year round and providing free tours. The officers and crew are all active-duty Navy personnel, and the assignment is considered to be special duty. She is usually berthed at Pier 1 of

3556-625: The Quasi-War with France and to defeat the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War . Constitution is most noted for her actions during the War of 1812 against the United Kingdom, when she captured numerous merchant ships and defeated five British warships: HMS  Guerriere , Java , Pictou , Cyane , and Levant . The battle with Guerriere earned her the nickname " Old Ironsides " and public adoration that has repeatedly saved her from scrapping. She continued to serve as flagship in

3683-765: The United States Congress appropriated the funds to print the first volume in a monumental documentary series, Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion . Completed in 1927 with the publication of volume 31, the series marked the beginning of a commitment to collect, edit, and publish historical naval documents, a mission that the History Command continues to carry out in its American Revolution and War of 1812 documentary projects. In 1915,

3810-477: The spar deck , 11 per side, each a short 32-pounder (15 kg) carronade . Four chase guns were also positioned, two each at the stern and bow. All of the guns aboard Constitution have been replicas since her 1927–1931 restoration. Most were cast in 1930, but two carronades on the spar deck were cast in 1983. A modern 40 mm (1.6 in) saluting gun was hidden inside the forward long gun on each side during her 1973–1976 restoration in order to restore

3937-481: The American frigates that were causing such losses to British shipping. Meanwhile, Charles Stewart saw his chance to escape from Boston Harbor and made it good on the afternoon of 18 December, and Constitution again set course for Bermuda. Collier gathered a squadron consisting of Leander , Newcastle , and Acasta and set off in pursuit, but he was unable to overtake her. On 24 December, Constitution intercepted

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4064-477: The American sloop Neutrality on 27 March. On 4 April 1799 she recaptured His Majesty's Packet Carteret that had been captured by the French on 29 March. Secretary Stoddert had other plans, however, and recalled Constitution to Boston. She arrived there on 14 May, and Nicholson was relieved of command. Captain Silas Talbot was recalled to duty to command Constitution and serve as Commodore of operations in

4191-829: The British merchantman Susanna on 16 February; her cargo of animal hides was valued at $ 75,000. On 20 February, Constitution sighted the small British ships Cyane and Levant sailing in company and gave chase. Cyane and Levant began a series of broadsides against her, but Stewart outmaneuvered both of them and forced Levant to draw off for repairs. He concentrated fire on Cyane , which soon struck her colors. Levant returned to engage Constitution but she turned and attempted to escape when she saw that Cyane had been defeated. Constitution overtook her and, after several more broadsides, she struck her colors. Stewart remained with his new prizes overnight while ordering repairs to all ships. Constitution had suffered little damage in

4318-555: The Chief of Naval Operations. Most of the center's activities were brought together in 1982 when they moved into the historic building complex named to honor Dudley W. Knox, who perhaps did more than any other individual to strengthen the Navy's commitment to its historical heritage and traditions. In 1986, the Navy Art Collection and Gallery and the Naval Aviation History and Publication Division, both already located in

4445-549: The Court ordered the money returned to her owners. Constitution arrived at Saint-Domingue on 15 October and rendezvoused with Boston , General Greene , and Norfolk . No further incidents occurred over the next six months, as French depredations in the area had declined. Constitution busied herself with routine patrols, and Talbot made diplomatic visits. On 2 February 1800 put men aboard an unidentified American schooner and had it sent to New York for possible illegal trading. It

4572-647: The Curator for the Navy envisioned a display of the nation's sea heritage in a naval museum in Washington. In 1961, Admiral Arleigh Burke , Chief of Naval Operations , established the U.S. Naval Historical Display Center (now the United States Navy Museum). At President Franklin D. Roosevelt 's suggestion, Knox began several documentary series. Seven volumes on the Quasi War with France and six volumes relating to

4699-491: The Eastern seaboard between New Hampshire and New York. She was patrolling between Chesapeake Bay and Savannah, Georgia, a month later when Nicholson found his first opportunity for capturing a prize . They intercepted Niger off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, on 8 September, a 24-gun ship sailing with a French crew en route from Jamaica to Philadelphia, claiming to have been under the orders of Great Britain. Nicholson had

4826-488: The English merchantman Spencer , which had been taken prize by the French frigate L'Insurgente a few days prior. Technically, Spencer was a French ship operated by a French prize crew; but Nicholson released the ship and her crew the next morning, perhaps hesitant after the affair with Niger . Upon joining Barry's command, Constitution almost immediately had to put in for repairs to her rigging due to storm damage, and it

4953-469: The July heat forced the crew of Constitution to employ myriad tactics to outrun the squadron, finally pumping overboard 2,300 US gal (8.7 kl) of drinking water. Cannon fire was exchanged several times, though the British attempts fell short or overshot their mark, including an attempted broadside from Belvidera . On 19 July, Constitution pulled far enough ahead of the British that they abandoned

5080-480: The Martha's Vineyard Athearns. Constitution ' s hull was built 21 inches (530 mm) thick and her length between perpendiculars was 175 ft (53 m), with a 204 ft (62 m) length overall and a width of 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m). In total, 60 acres (24 ha) of trees were needed for her construction. Primary materials consisted of pine and oak, including southern live oak which

5207-618: The Mediterranean and African squadrons, and she circled the world in the 1840s. During the American Civil War , she served as a training ship for the United States Naval Academy . She carried American artwork and industrial displays to the Paris Exposition of 1878 . Constitution was retired from active service in 1881 and served as a receiving ship until being designated a museum ship in 1907. In 1934, she completed

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5334-526: The Naval Gun Factory. Hence, the museum became the Naval Gun Factory Museum. After gun production ceased, Admiral Burke obtained the entire building in 1961 to house a new and more complete collection of artifacts. Today, the U.S. Navy Museum is the only naval museum to chronicle the U.S. Navy's history from its creation to the present. Artifacts like USS Constitution ' s fighting top,

5461-940: The Naval History & Heritage Command in keeping with the larger goal of enhancing the Navy's effectiveness by preserving, analyzing, and interpreting its history and heritage. Unit members work on long-term historical projects with the NHC staff, processing archival collections, conducting oral history interviews with Pearl Harbor survivors, and digitizing histories for the Command's website or publication in print. VTU members also conduct end-of-tour interviews with key naval leaders. [REDACTED] Media related to Naval History and Heritage Command at Wikimedia Commons [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Navy USS Constitution USS Constitution , also known as Old Ironsides ,

5588-565: The Navy James Forrestal established the Office of Naval History to coordinate the Morison project, as well as the wartime administrative histories being written by Navy commands, under the direction of Princeton professor Robert G. Albion . Knox served as deputy director of Naval History under the Director, Admiral Edward C. Kalbfus, but the Office of Naval Records and Library at first remained separate until March 1949 when it merged with

5715-685: The Navy Department Library, 10 museums and 1 heritage center, USS Constitution repair facility and detachment, and historic ship ex-USS Nautilus . The Naval History and Heritage Command traces its lineage to 1800, when President John Adams requested Benjamin Stoddert , the first Secretary of the Navy , prepare a catalog of professional books for use in the Secretary's office. When the British invaded Washington in 1814, this collection, containing

5842-425: The Navy intended to scrap Constitution . Two days later, Oliver Wendell Holmes ' poem " Old Ironsides " was published in the same paper and later all over the country, igniting public indignation and inciting efforts to save "Old Ironsides" from the scrap yard. Secretary Branch approved the costs, and Constitution began a leisurely repair period while awaiting completion of the dry dock then under construction at

5969-461: The Navy's history and traditions with the world. The tradition of collecting naval artifacts in the United States began in the early 19th century under the command of Thomas Tingey, the first commandant of the Washington Navy Yard. The first artifact collected was a French gun, cast in 1793 at Lyons, captured during the Quasi-War with France, 1798–1801. From this modest beginning, the collection grew as

6096-540: The Navy's lessons learned and preserves the history of current naval operations during crisis response, wartime, declared national emergency, or in situations as directed. Teams have documented the Navy's role in the Persian Gulf War , Operation Restore Hope (Haiti) and Operation Allied Force (Kosovo); counter-narcotics actions in the Caribbean; fleet exercises, special warfare activities, Information Technology (IT-21);

6223-775: The Office of Naval History to form the Naval Records and History Division of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations . In 1952 it was renamed the Naval History Division . The eventual home for the Navy's historians was the Washington Navy Yard in Southeast Washington, which in 1961 was converted from an industrial facility to an administrative center. The first component of the Naval History Division in

6350-614: The Seaman Gunner's Quarters and the Recruiting Office. This site is now a parking lot west of the Washington Navy Yard . The building was demolished in 1927, which left the Navy's collection of artifacts in storage for eight years. In April 1935, the third museum opened in building 40, at the north end of the Breech Mechanism Shop constructed between 1887 and 1899. When World War II ended, the yard officially changed its name to

6477-516: The Sultan was glad to arrange the transfer of ships between the two nations, and Preble departed with his squadron on 14 October, heading back to Gibraltar. Philadelphia ran aground off Tripoli on 31 October under the command of William Bainbridge while pursuing a Tripoline vessel. The crew was taken prisoner; Philadelphia was refloated by the Tripolines and brought into their harbor. To deprive

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6604-458: The Tripoline gunboats in a series of attacks over the coming month, taking their crews prisoner. Constitution primarily provided gunfire support, bombarding the shore batteries of Tripoli—yet Karamanli remained firm in his demand for ransom and tribute, despite his losses. Preble outfitted Intrepid as a "floating volcano" with 100 short tons (91 t) of gunpowder aboard in a final attempt of

6731-426: The Tripolines of their prize, Preble planned to destroy Philadelphia using the captured ship Mastico , which was renamed Intrepid . Intrepid entered Tripoli Harbor on 16 February 1804 under the command of Stephen Decatur , disguised as a merchant ship. Decatur's crew quickly overpowered the Tripoline crew and set Philadelphia ablaze. Preble withdrew the squadron to Syracuse, Sicily , and began planning for

6858-638: The U.S. Navy fought in more battles and explored the high seas during the early years of the American republic. As the Navy's collection of artifacts grew, so did the need for a space to display them. In 1865, the former Paint Shop opened as the Museum of Naval Relics and Weapons, where the Dispensary is today. This museum was amongst America's earliest federal museums . Listed as one of Washington's most popular tourist attractions in Morrison's Strangers Guide to Washington,

6985-433: The United States Navy would be designed and built, with construction and installation tentatively slated for 2025. He stated that the facility will be located near the Washington Navy Yard, but outside its security perimeter so that visitors can enter without the need for credentials or a day pass. There are nine other official Navy museums: The following museums are not listed on the list of "Official U.S. Naval Museums" in

7112-524: The United States as a global power. On display are several weapons, items from the home front, a model and diagram of the strange USS  Vesuvius  (1888) , and the uniform of Admiral George Dewey . The story of Admiral Richard Byrd 's 1928 voyage to the South Pole is told through photographs and equipment from his and other subsequent voyages. Vitally crucial throughout history, navigational techniques and various pieces of equipment are explained in

7239-634: The United States. They arrived home on 18 February 1812. War was declared on 18 June and Hull put to sea on 12 July, attempting to join the five ships of a squadron under the command of Rodgers in President . He sighted five ships off Egg Harbor, New Jersey, on 17 July and at first believed them to be Rodgers' squadron but, by the following morning, the lookouts determined that they were a British squadron out of Halifax: HMS  Aeolus , Africa , Belvidera , Guerriere , and Shannon . They had sighted Constitution and were giving chase. Constitution

7366-402: The Washington Navy Yard, became part of the Naval Historical Center. 2008 was a year of change for the Navy's history program. First, the command was streamlined into four major components: Histories and Archives, Museums and Collections, Integration and Outreach, and Operations. Following the realignment of the Navy's dozen museums under the Director of Naval History, the Naval Historical Center

7493-410: The West Indies. After repairs and resupply were completed, Constitution departed Boston on 23 July with a destination of Saint-Domingue via Norfolk and a mission to interrupt French shipping. She departed Norfolk on 14 August. She recaptured the Hamberg ship Amelia from a French prize crew on 15 September, and Talbot sent the ship back to New York City with an American prize crew. The ship was sold but

7620-574: The appropriations for publications, the library, and naval war records were combined. The office received a new title— Office of Naval Records and Library . Once America entered World War I , the emphasis shifted to gathering documents on current naval operations. Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels directed Admiral William S. Sims , Commander U.S. Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to collect war diaries, operational reports, and other historic war materials of naval commands in his London headquarters. To handle World War I records in Washington,

7747-421: The artifacts, documents, and art that best embody U.S. naval history and heritage for present and future generations. The mission includes but is not limited to: plan and perform all maintenance, repair, and restoration of USS  Constitution ; perform annual inspections of Constitution , reporting all work necessary to maintain the ship in satisfactory material condition to perform its mission; and provide

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7874-523: The attack on, and the rebuilding of USS Cole (DDG-67); the 11 September 2001 attack on the Pentagon ; and the Global War on Terrorism . In 2001 eleven unit members were recalled to active duty to support the History Command's documentation collection efforts related to Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom . For Operation Iraqi Freedom and in support of the Navy's Task Force History, four unit members were recalled to active duty. This non-pay Naval Reserve unit provides project support to

8001-400: The battle with Guerriere , allowing Bainbridge to continue raking her with broadsides. Java ' s foremast collapsed, sending her fighting top crashing down through two decks below. Bainbridge drew off to make emergency repairs and re-approached Java an hour later. She was a shambles, an unmanageable wreck with a badly wounded crew, and she surrendered. Bainbridge determined that Java

8128-433: The battle, though it was later discovered that she had twelve 32-pound British cannonballs embedded in her hull, none of which had penetrated. The trio then set a course for the Cape Verde Islands and arrived at Porto Praya on 10 March. The next morning, Collier's squadron was spotted on a course for the harbor, and Stewart ordered all ships to sail immediately; he had been unaware until then of Collier's pursuit. Cyane

8255-427: The capability of firing ceremonial salutes . President John Adams ordered all Navy ships to sea in late May 1798 to patrol for armed French ships and to free any American ship captured by them. Constitution was still not ready to sail and eventually had to borrow sixteen 18-pound (8.2 kg) cannons from Castle Island before finally being ready. She put to sea on the evening of 22 July 1798 with orders to patrol

8382-412: The collection impressed visitors with such artifacts as a gun from Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortés (used during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire), and the sloop Kearsarge ' s original sternpost containing a shell she received during her fight with the Confederate raider Alabama off the French coast. In 1913 the museum's artifacts were moved to Building 120. The museum shared space with

8509-410: The command of the squadron and Constitution to Captain Hugh G. Campbell on 29 May 1806. James Barron sailed Chesapeake out of Norfolk on 15 May 1807 to replace Constitution as the flagship of the Mediterranean squadron, but he encountered HMS  Leopard , resulting in the Chesapeake – Leopard affair and delaying the relief of Constitution . Constitution continued patrols, unaware of

8636-471: The construction and recruitment of a new crew, finally making sail on 31 December. She set course for the West Indies to harass British shipping and had captured five merchant ships and the 14-gun HMS  Pictou by late March 1814. She also pursued HMS  Columbine and HMS Pique , though both ships escaped after realizing that she was an American frigate. Her mainmast split off the coast of Bermuda on 27 March, requiring immediate repair. Stewart set

8763-404: The copper sheathing and timbers below the waterline. At the direction of Secretary of the Navy Smith Thompson , she was also subjected to an unusual experiment in which manually operated paddle wheels were fitted to her hull. The paddle wheels were designed to propel her at up to 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) if she was ever becalmed, by the crew using the ship's capstan . Initial testing

8890-446: The copper sheets necessary for the job that took 14 days, ending on 25 June. She departed Boston on 14 August, and she encountered an unknown ship in the darkness on 6 September, near the Rock of Gibraltar . Constitution went to general quarters, then ran alongside the unknown ship. Preble hailed her, only to receive a hail in return. He identified his ship as the United States frigate Constitution but received an evasive answer from

9017-545: The crew ordered discharged, Capt. Nicholson was relieved by her Sailing Master Nathaniel Harden. She was placed in ordinary on 2 July 1802. The United States paid tribute to the Barbary States during the Quasi-War to ensure that American merchant ships were not harassed and seized. In 1801, Yusuf Karamanli of Tripoli was dissatisfied that the United States was paying him less than they paid Algiers, and he demanded an immediate payment of $ 250,000 (equivalent to $ 4,578,000 in 2023). In response, Thomas Jefferson sent

9144-490: The crewmen imprisoned, perhaps not understanding his orders correctly. He placed a prize crew aboard Niger and brought her into Norfolk, Virginia. Constitution sailed south again a week later to escort a merchant convoy, but her bowsprit was severely damaged in a gale and she returned to Boston for repairs. In the meantime, Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert determined that Niger had been operating under

9271-423: The delay. She arrived in late June at Leghorn , where she took aboard the disassembled Tripoli Monument for transport back to the United States. Campbell learned the fate of Chesapeake when he arrived at Málaga , and he immediately began preparing Constitution and Hornet for possible war against Britain. The crew became mutinous upon learning of the delay in their relief and refused to sail any farther unless

9398-589: The destination was the United States. Campbell and his officers threatened to fire a cannon loaded with grapeshot at the crewmen if they did not comply, thereby putting an end to the conflict. Campbell and the squadron were ordered home on 18 August and set sail for Boston on 8 September, arriving there on 14 October. Constitution had been gone for more than four years. Constitution was recommissioned in December with Captain John Rodgers again taking command to oversee

9525-692: The developing World War II operational archives, the Knox group pioneered an oral history program. Participants in the significant Atlantic and Pacific operations and battles were interviewed as soon as possible after their wartime engagements. When Pulitzer Prize winner and Harvard history professor Samuel Eliot Morison was commissioned by President Roosevelt to prepare the fifteen-volume History of United States Naval Operations in World War II , he relied not only on his own combat experience but also on those records assembled in Knox's archives. In 1944, Secretary of

9652-460: The fighting top from USS  Constitution , as well as a statue of Boatswain's Mate Charles W. Riggin, made from melted dimes . Located between the U.S. Navy Museum and the waterfront, Willard Park is named for Admiral Arthur L. Willard , Commandant of the Navy Yard from 1927 to 1930. Alongside the many iron guns on display are a screw from the battleship USS  South Dakota  (BB-57) ,

9779-796: The finest works on naval history from America and abroad, was rushed to safety outside the Federal City. After that, the library had many locations, including a specially designed space in the State, War, and Navy Building (now the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building) next to the White House . When the library was placed under the Bureau of Navigation in 1882, the director, noted international lawyer and U.S. Naval Academy professor James R. Soley , gathered

9906-485: The footnote at the top of this section: Naval History %26 Heritage Command The Naval History and Heritage Command , formerly the Naval Historical Center , is an Echelon II command responsible for the preservation, analysis, and dissemination of U.S. naval history and heritage located at the historic Washington Navy Yard . The NHHC is composed of 42 facilities in 13 geographic locations including

10033-504: The form of a sudden change in wind direction. Captain John Rodgers assumed command of Constitution on 9 November 1804 while she underwent repairs and resupply in Malta. She resumed the blockade of Tripoli on 5 April 1805, capturing a Tripoline xebec , along with two prizes that the xebec had captured. Meanwhile, Commodore Barron gave William Eaton naval support to bombard Derne , while

10160-542: The former Charlestown Navy Yard at one end of Boston's Freedom Trail . In 1785, Barbary pirates , most notably from Algiers, began to seize American merchant vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1793 alone, 11 American ships were captured and their crews and stores held for ransom. To combat this problem, proposals were made for warships to protect American shipping, resulting in the Naval Act of 1794 . The act provided funds to construct six frigates , but it included

10287-468: The frigates that were to be constructed. Joshua Humphreys designed the frigates to be the young Navy's capital ships, and so Constitution and her sister ships were larger and more heavily armed and built than standard frigates of the period. She was built at Edmund Hartt 's shipyard in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts. Her first duties were to provide protection for American merchant shipping during

10414-519: The harbor, the citizens of Marblehead rallied in support, assembling what cannons they possessed at Fort Sewall, and the British called off the pursuit. Two weeks later, Constitution made her way into Boston, where she remained blockaded in port until mid-December. Captain George Collier of the Royal Navy received command of the 50-gun HMS  Leander and was sent to North America to deal with

10541-471: The harbor. Bonne Citoyenne was reportedly carrying $ 1.6 million in spices to England, and her captain refused to leave the neutral harbor lest he lose his cargo. Constitution sailed offshore in search of prizes, leaving Hornet to await the departure of Bonne Citoyenne . On 29 December, she met with HMS  Java under Captain Henry Lambert . At the initial hail from Bainbridge, Java answered with

10668-544: The hopes that she would leave the harbor (she did not). Java was the third British warship in three months to be captured by the United States, and Constitution ' s victory prompted the British Admiralty to order its frigates not to engage the heavier American frigates one-on-one; only British ships of the line or squadrons were permitted to come close enough to attack. Constitution arrived in Boston on 15 February to even greater celebrations than Hull had received

10795-412: The loss of her captain. Constitution otherwise experienced an uneventful tour, sailing in company with Ontario and Nonsuch , until crew behavior during shore leave gave Jones a reputation as a commodore who was lax in discipline. The Navy grew weary of receiving complaints about the crews' antics while in port and ordered Jones to return. Constitution arrived in Boston on 31 May 1824, and Jones

10922-526: The mainmast down shortly afterward. Guerriere was now a dismasted, unmanageable hulk with close to a third of her crew wounded or killed, while Constitution remained largely intact. The British surrendered. Hull had surprised the British with his heavier broadsides and his ship's sailing ability. Adding to their astonishment, many of the British shots had rebounded harmlessly off Constitution ' s hull. An American sailor reportedly exclaimed "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!" and Constitution acquired

11049-487: The merchantman Lord Nelson and placed a prize crew aboard. Constitution had left Boston not fully supplied, but Lord Nelson ' s stores supplied a Christmas dinner for the crew. Constitution was cruising off Cape Finisterre on 8 February 1815 when Stewart learned that the Treaty of Ghent had been signed. He realized, however, that a state of war still existed until the treaty was ratified, and Constitution captured

11176-590: The museum, In Harm's Way, is divided into three sections. Uniforms and equipment, along with videos and other artifacts, bring the often-ignored Korean War into focus. Captured Soviet weapons, models of aircraft and warships, and a piece of the Inchon seawall are on display. The deep submergence vehicle Trieste is the highlight of the Undersea Exploration exhibit. A small exhibit on the Steel Navy (1883–1909)

11303-591: The new Ambassador Joel Barlow and his family; they arrived on 1 September. Hull remained near France and the Netherlands through the winter months, continually holding sail and gun drills to keep the crew ready for possible hostilities with the British. Tensions were high between the United States and Britain after the events of the Little Belt affair the previous May, and Constitution was shadowed by British frigates while awaiting dispatches from Barlow to carry back to

11430-680: The nickname "Old Ironsides". The battle left Guerriere so badly damaged that she was not worth towing to port, and Hull ordered her to be burned the next morning, after transferring the British prisoners onto Constitution . Constitution arrived back in Boston on 30 August, where Hull and his crew found that news of their victory had spread fast, and they were hailed as heroes. William Bainbridge, senior to Hull, took command of "Old Ironsides" on 8 September and prepared her for another mission in British shipping lanes near Brazil, sailing with Hornet on 27 October. They arrived near São Salvador on 13 December, sighting HMS  Bonne Citoyenne in

11557-571: The orders of Great Britain as claimed, and the ship and her crew were released to continue their voyage. The American government paid a restitution of $ 11,000 (equivalent to $ 201,486 in 2023) to Great Britain. Constitution departed Boston on 29 December. Nicholson reported to Commodore John Barry , who was flying his flag in United States near the island of Dominica for patrols in the West Indies . On 15 January 1799, Constitution intercepted

11684-461: The other ship. Preble replied: "I am now going to hail you for the last time. If a proper answer is not returned, I will fire a shot into you." The stranger returned, "If you give me a shot, I'll give you a broadside." Preble demanded that the other ship identify herself and the stranger replied, "This is His Britannic Majesty's ship Donegal , 84 guns, Sir Richard Strachan, an English commodore." He then commanded Preble, "Send your boat on board." Preble

11811-471: The other ships of the squadron. His first order of business was to arrange a treaty with Sultan Slimane of Morocco , who was holding American ships hostage to ensure the return of two vessels that the Americans had captured. Constitution and Nautilus departed Gibraltar on 3 October and arrived at Tangier on the 4th. Adams and New York arrived the next day. With four American warships in his harbor,

11938-427: The overall weight of stores, complement of personnel aboard, and planned routes to be sailed. Consequently, the armaments on ships changed often during their careers, and records of the changes were not generally kept. During the War of 1812, Constitution ' s battery of guns typically consisted of 30 long 24-pounder (11 kg) cannons, with 15 on each side of the gun deck . Twenty-two more guns were deployed on

12065-444: The public in 1963. As one of 15 Navy museums throughout the country, it is the only one that presents an overview of U. S. naval history . Permanent and temporary exhibitions commemorate the Navy's wartime heroes and battles as well as its peacetime contributions in exploration, diplomacy , space flight , navigation and humanitarian service. Known for 40 years as the U.S. Navy flagship museum, The U.S. Navy Museum celebrates

12192-465: The public. Both facilities closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 14, 2020, and reopened on June 1, 2021. Because the museum is on the grounds of an active military installation, visitors must either present valid government/military credentials, be accompanied by someone who has such credentials, or apply for a day pass at the on-site visitors' center. Upon entering the museum, visitors can see

12319-506: The pursuit. Constitution arrived in Boston on 27 July and remained there just long enough to replenish her supplies. Hull sailed without orders on 2 August to avoid being blockaded in port, heading on a northeast route towards the British shipping lanes near Halifax and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence . Constitution captured three British merchantmen, which Hull burned rather than risk taking them back to an American port. On 16 August, he learned of

12446-493: The rare books scattered throughout Navy Department offices, collected naval prints and photographs, and subscribed to professional periodicals. He also began collecting and preserving naval records, particularly those of the American Civil War . Congress initially recognized his efforts by authorizing funds for office staff and combining the library and records sections into the Office of Library and Naval War Records . Six years later,

12573-433: The season. She was to sail into Tripoli harbor and blow up in the midst of the corsair fleet, close under the walls of the city. Intrepid made her way into the harbor on the evening of 3 September under the command of Richard Somers , but she exploded prematurely, killing Somers and his entire crew of thirteen volunteers. Constellation and President arrived at Tripoli on the 9th with Samuel Barron in command; Preble

12700-488: The ship, the USS Constitution Museum is a private museum that interprets the ship and her history. Assigned to the History Command since 1991, the unit deploys its teams to U.S. Navy, joint, and combined commands worldwide where they conduct oral history interviews, collect historically significant artifacts and records, and document operations through photography and art. Their collection effort contributes to

12827-502: The sorts of warships and equipment used by sailors of the Union and Confederate fleets. Models of the legendary ironclads USS  Monitor and CSS  Virginia , the commerce raider CSS  Alabama , and the USS ; Kearsarge  (1861) are on display. This exhibit tells the story of the loss of the battleship USS  Maine  (ACR-1) , public outrage and the beginning of

12954-457: The squadron to return to the United States. Constitution returned to Boston. Captain Talbot resigned his Commission 8 September, 1801 and Lt. Isaac Hull was ordered to take command in a letter dated 21 September, 1801. She was finally scheduled for an overhaul, Captain Samuel Nicholson was ordered to supervise the work in a letter dated 1 April, 1802. It was canceled in a letter dated 18 June with

13081-530: The very American freedoms they were denied." A peace accord was announced between the United States and Algiers in March 1796, and construction was halted in accordance with the Naval Act of 1794. After some debate and prompting by President Washington, Congress agreed to continue funding the construction of the three ships nearest to completion: United States , Constellation , and Constitution . Constitution ' s launching ceremony on 20 September 1797

13208-694: The war undefeated, though her sister ships Chesapeake and President were not so fortunate, having been captured in 1813 and 1815 respectively. Constitution was moved to Boston and placed in ordinary in January 1816, sitting out the Second Barbary War . Charlestown Navy Yard's commandant Isaac Hull directed a refitting of Constitution to prepare her for duty with the Mediterranean Squadron in April 1820. They removed Joshua Humphreys' diagonal riders to make room for two iron freshwater tanks, and they replaced

13335-677: The war with the Barbary Powers were ultimately published. World War II halted plans for similar publications on the American Revolution , the War of 1812 , the Mexican–American War , and World War I . During World War II , Knox turned his attention to collecting documents generated by naval operations in the global conflict. He immediately began a campaign to gather and arrange operation plans, action reports, and war diaries into well-controlled archives staffed by professional historians who came on board as naval reservists. To complement

13462-425: The world's deepest diving submersible, Trieste , and the khaki uniform of former Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz make The Navy Museum's collection second to none. Close to 94,000 individuals visit The U.S. Navy Museum annually. Admission to the museum and its programs is free. The museum is architecturally accessible . The National Museum of the United States Navy and the associated Cold War Gallery are open to

13589-537: The yard was the Navy Museum (later the United States Navy Museum), established in 1961. In 1963, the Operational Archives moved to the Navy Yard. The other sections of the Naval History Division followed in 1970, occupying several scattered buildings. An organizational change in 1971 shifted the Naval History Division from a headquarters establishment to a field activity called the Naval Historical Center , under

13716-501: The yard. In contrast to the efforts to save Constitution , another round of surveys in 1834 found her sister ship Congress unfit for repair; she was unceremoniously broken up in 1835. On 24 June 1833, Constitution entered dry dock. Captain Jesse Elliott , the new commander of the Navy yard, oversaw her reconstruction. Constitution had 30 in (760 mm) of hog in her keel and remained in dry dock until 21 June 1834. This

13843-404: Was able to elude the squadron and make sail for America, where she arrived on 10 April, but Levant was overtaken and recaptured. Collier's squadron was distracted with Levant while Constitution made another escape from overwhelming forces. Constitution set a course towards Guinea and then west towards Brazil, as Stewart had learned from the capture of Susanna that HMS  Inconstant

13970-564: Was attended by President John Adams and Massachusetts Governor Increase Sumner . Upon launch, she slid down the ways only 27 feet (8.2 m) before stopping; her weight had caused the ways to settle into the ground, preventing further movement. An attempt two days later resulted in only 31 feet (9.4 m) of additional travel before the ship again stopped. After a month of rebuilding the ways, Constitution finally slipped into Boston Harbor on 21 October 1797, with Captain James Sever breaking

14097-434: Was becalmed and unable to run from the five British ships, but Hull acted on a suggestion from his First Lieutenant Charles Morris . He ordered the crew to put boats over the side to tow the ship out of range, using kedge anchors to draw the ship forward and wetting the sails to take advantage of every breath of wind. The British ships soon imitated the tactic of kedging and remained in pursuit. The resulting 57-hour chase in

14224-432: Was cut from Gascoigne Bluff and milled near St. Simons Island, Georgia . Enslaved workers were used to harvest the oak used for the ship's construction, and USS Constitution Museum historian Carl Herzog stated that "the forced labor of enslaved people was an expediency that Navy officials and contractors saw as fundamental to the job... enslaved people were essential to the construction of naval warships built to secure

14351-494: Was far too damaged to retain as a prize and ordered her burned, but not before having her helm salvaged and installed on Constitution . Constitution returned to São Salvador on 1 January 1813 to disembark the prisoners of Java , where she met with Hornet and her two British prizes. Bainbridge ordered Constitution to sail for Boston on 5 January, being far away from a friendly port and needing extensive repairs, leaving Hornet behind to continue waiting for Bonne Citoyenne in

14478-412: Was forced to relinquish his command of the squadron to Barron, who was senior in rank. Constitution was ordered to Malta on the 11th for repairs and, while en route, captured two Greek vessels attempting to deliver wheat into Tripoli. On the 12th, a collision with President severely damaged Constitution ' s bow, stern, and figurehead of Hercules. The collision was attributed to an act of God in

14605-476: Was imminent between the United States and France, Constitution again sailed for the West Indies on 17 December as squadron flagship, rendezvousing with Congress , Adams , Augusta , Richmond , and Trumbull . Although no longer allowed to pursue French shipping, the squadron was assigned to protect American shipping and continued in that capacity until April 1801, when Herald arrived with orders for

14732-478: Was in fact not Donegal but instead HMS Maidstone , a 32-gun frigate. Constitution had come alongside her so quietly that Maidstone had delayed answering with the proper hail while she readied her guns. This act began the strong allegiance between Preble and the officers under his command, known as "Preble's boys", as he had shown that he was willing to defy a presumed ship of the line. Constitution arrived at Gibraltar on 12 September, where Preble waited for

14859-426: Was later determined that Sandwich had been captured from a neutral port; she was returned to the French with apologies, and no prize money was awarded to the squadron. Routine patrols again occupied Constitution for the next two months, until 13 July, when the mainmast trouble of a few months before recurred. She put into Cape François for repairs. While leaving the roads of Cape Francois on 22 July she struck

14986-453: Was not until 1 March that anything of note occurred. On this date, she encountered HMS  Santa Margarita , whose captain was an acquaintance of Nicholson's. The two agreed to a sailing duel, which the English captain was confident he would win. But after 11 hours of sailing, Santa Margarita lowered her sails and admitted defeat, paying off the bet with a cask of wine to Nicholson. Resuming her patrols, Constitution managed to recapture

15113-418: Was not until April 1800 that Talbot investigated an increase in ship traffic near Puerto Plata , Santo Domingo, and discovered that the French privateer Sandwich had taken refuge there. On 8 May the squadron captured the sloop Sally , and Talbot hatched a plan to capture Sandwich by utilizing the familiarity of Sally to allow the Americans access to the harbor. On 9 May her Tender "Amphitheatre" engaged

15240-410: Was now devoid of all patience and exclaimed, "This is United States ship Constitution , 44 guns, Edward Preble, an American commodore, who will be damned before he sends his boat on board of any vessel." And then to his gun crews: "Blow your matches, boys!" Before the incident escalated further, however, a boat arrived from the other ship and a British lieutenant relayed his captain's apologies. The ship

15367-638: Was placed in reserve. Constitution was built in an era when a ship's expected service life was 10 to 15 years. Secretary of the Navy John Branch made a routine order for surveys of ships in the reserve fleet, and commandant of the Charlestown Navy Yard Charles Morris estimated a repair cost of over $ 157,000 for Constitution . On 14 September 1830, an article appeared in the Boston Advertiser which erroneously claimed that

15494-471: Was quickly extinguished. With the ships locked together, both captains ordered boarding parties into action, but the sea was heavy and neither party was able to board the opposing ship. At one point, the two ships rotated together counter-clockwise, with Constitution continuing to fire broadsides. When the two ships pulled apart, the force of the bowsprit's extraction sent shock waves through Guerriere ' s rigging. Her foremast collapsed, and that brought

15621-547: Was redesignated the Naval History & Heritage Command on 1 December 2008. In the spring of 2009, the NHHC established a presence on the social media sites Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Goodreads, and Delicious. The position of Director of Naval History was established in 1944. Similar collections that document the Navy's history in specialized areas of interest are located at the eleven official U.S. Navy museums nationwide. Ten official Navy museums are dedicated to making available

15748-700: Was relieved of command. Thomas Macdonough took command and sailed on 29 October for the Mediterranean under the direction of John Rodgers in North Carolina . With discipline restored, Constitution resumed uneventful duty. Macdonough resigned his command for health reasons on 9 October 1825. Constitution put in for repairs during December and into January 1826, until Daniel Todd Patterson assumed command on 21 February. By August, she had been put into Port Mahon, suffering decay of her spar deck, and she remained there until temporary repairs were completed in March 1827. Constitution returned to Boston on 4 July 1828 and

15875-458: Was so poor, however, that he was recalled and subsequently dismissed from the Navy in 1803. Captain Edward Preble ordered to take command of Constitution in a letter dated 14 May 1803 as his flagship and made preparations to command a new squadron for a third blockade attempt. She was recommissioned on 20 May. The copper sheathing on her hull needed to be replaced and Paul Revere supplied

16002-409: Was successful, but Hull and Constitution ' s commanding officer Jacob Jones were reportedly unimpressed with paddle wheels on a US Navy ship. Jones had them removed and stowed in the cargo hold before he departed on 13 May 1821 for a three-year tour of duty in the Mediterranean. On 12 April 1823, she collided with the British merchant ship Bicton in the Mediterranean Sea, and Bicton sank with

16129-531: Was transporting gold bullion back to England, and he wanted her as a prize. Constitution put into Maranhão on 2 April to offload her British prisoners and replenish her drinking water. While there, Stewart learned by rumor that the Treaty of Ghent had been ratified, and set course for America, receiving verification of peace at San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 28 April. He then set course for New York and arrived home on 15 May to large celebrations. Constitution emerged from

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