Communication Aboard USS Constitution
No Comments
Students view and discuss four objects that were used for communicating on USS Constitution.
Menu
Students view and discuss four objects that were used for communicating on USS Constitution.
Make an 1812 officer’s hat out of paper and view an original hat that belonged to a USS Constitution midshipmen.
A ship’s bell played a crucial role for timekeeping on board a ship and was rung every half hour to mark the passage of time
View an 1812 poem/song set to the tune of “Yankee Doodle” that celebrates USS Constitution’s victory over HMS Guerriere. Students then write their own lyrics
A sample list of early 19th century rules from the United States Navy.
Make hot chocolate as a sailor would have made it in the early 1800s, using a primary source recipe.
Students view and discuss a primary source logbook showing the crew’s positions up in the sails.
Each gun on Constitution was manned by the same gun team in practice and in battle. These teams developed their own identity and named their
Using a list of primary source quotes, students write an historical fiction short story or skit about the battle between USS Constitution and HMS Guerriere.
Students view and discuss two primary source political cartoons about the War of 1812.
Read regulations from 1802 to learn about the role of a U.S. Navy captain.
Students view an original speaking trumpet and make one out of paper.
Read these primary and secondary source quotes about the sailor chore of holystoning: cleaning the floors of the Ship.
Two primary source quotes about discipline and flogging on board a U.S. Navy ship. Flogging was a severe form of corporal punishment reserved for the
John Lord’s engraved powder horn was designed to carry gunpowder, but was also a special memento of his service. In this activity, students engrave a
This short, handwritten letter is a poignant firsthand account of one officer’s bravery and sacrifice during USS Constitution‘s first battle in the War of 1812.
This June 22,1812 supplement to the Connecticut Mirror, a Hartford newspaper, broke the news about a new war for the United States with Great Britain.
This certificate was a form of ID for American sailors in the early 1800s. It provided proof of their United States citizenship and was intended
This is an allotment receipt, a form authorizing a Boston Navy Agent to pay one half of USS Constitution seaman Jesse Cole’s monthly wage to
In his speech to Congress on June 1, 1812, President James Madison explained the several injustices and wrongs committed by Great Britain against the United
In 1813, the U.S. Congress approved the commissioning of a Congressional gold medal to Commodore William Bainbridge of USS Constitution for his defeat of the
Broadsides are oversized printed sheets containing proclamations, announcements, or advertisements. They were publicly posted or distributed door to door. This broadside with a six-stanza poem
Broadsides are oversized printed sheets containing proclamations, announcements, or advertisements. They were publicly posted or distributed door to door. This broadside is a statement of
This wooden and brass telescope was owned by purser Thomas Chew. It represents the type used by mariners during the late 18th and early 19th
There were no radios or loud speakers on board USS Constitution in the War of 1812. Instead, speaking trumpets like this one were used to
This portable writing desk belonged to USS Constitution’s second captain, Silas Talbot. Desks like this were common among naval officers, because they were easy to
This is a ship’s biscuit from 1861. A sailor aboard USS Constitution kept it as a souvenir. Discuss with your students: why would a sailor
A sextant was an essential navigation tool. It was used for determining a ship’s position at sea. It measured the angles between the horizon and
This seabag is a rare surviving example of a once common, utilitarian item. Seabags were issued to United States Navy sailors as a means of
During the War of 1812, powder horns were used to carry the finer gun powder used in the Ship’s long guns. This horn is uniquely
This birds-eye diagram shows how hammocks were arranged on the berth deck for sleeping. It is from David Steel’s 1794 book, The Elements and Practice
This instrument was used to communicate orders to the Ship’s crew, such as calling them to battle. Fife music also gave rhythm to heavy work
This object was used for pouring wine in ships’ wardrooms, the place where officers ate on board. Early frigates had a lot of tableware like
USS Constitution’s boatswain’s mate would use a cat of nine tails, a whip with nine knotted cords, to flog sailors that needed to be punished
The boatswain’s pipe (pronounced “bosun”) was used for communication on a ship. Its loud and piercing sound woke up sailors and called them to duties
This King James Bible was removed from HMS Java after the British ship’s capture by USS Constitution on December 29, 1812. Following a ship’s surrender,
USS Constitution became a patriotic symbol after its victories during the War of 1812. Images of the Ship, like this detailed engraving, were popular among
This collapsible silk hat, also known as a chapeau bras, belonged to Surgeon William Swift. Naval officers in the early 1800s typically wore hats like
In 1813, the U.S. Congress approved the commissioning of a Congressional gold medal to Commodore William Bainbridge of USS Constitution for his defeat of the
This set of stays belonged to Thomas Chew, who was USS Constitution’s purser during the War of 1812. Stays were a corset that helped fashionable
Thomas Chew served on USS Constitution at the beginning of the War of 1812. His job was the purser, making him responsible for keeping the
This is a portrait of George Sirian, who was orphaned as a boy in 1824 while escaping war in his home of Psara, Greece. The
William Bainbridge became a national hero after USS Constitution, under his command, defeated the British frigate HMS Java in December 1812. This portrait, painted by
This impressive portrait of Captain Isaac Hull was completed by Gilbert Stuart, a renowned American portrait artist, in Boston, Massachusetts in 1807. Hull is wearing
A decorative weapon such as this sword would not be used in actual combat. Instead, it was worn as a ceremonial piece, or a fashionable
This cocked hat was worn by Pardon Mawney Whipple after his promotion to lieutenant in 1820. At that time, the hat was in fine form
It was common in the 19th century to give a lock of hair to family members as a memory of a loved one. Hair, which
This miniature watercolor portrait depicts John Lord, who served as gunner on USS Constitution between 1824 and 1828. Before photography, miniature portraits were popular keepsakes
John Cushing Aylwin was 5th lieutenant and sailing master aboard USS Constitution during the battle against HMS Java in December 1812. Aylwin took a musket
This wax seal, featuring an image of the Ship and his name, was owned by Isaac Hull, one of USS Constitution’s most famous captains. Hull
On July 2, 1931, USS Constitution and a crew of 81 sailors, officers, and Marines set off on a three-year tour around the United States.
This set of coral jewelry belonged to Abigail Chew, wife of USS Constitution’s War of 1812 purser, Thomas Chew. While away from his family for
In the 19th century, canes were a symbol of power and importance, not just aids for walking. This cane had extra prestige, being made of
This ceramic pitcher depicts two of USS Constitution‘s exploits during the War of 1812. It is an example of the many pitchers, plates, bowls, mugs,
A ship’s bell played a crucial role for timekeeping on board a ship, and was rung every half hour to mark the passage of time
This is an example of the type of powder horn used by United States Marines in the early 19th century. The hollowed-out horn carried gunpowder
This 24-pound iron ball was a form of ammunition fired from a cannon, or gun, by warships like USS Constitution in the late 18th and
Muskets were carried by all Marines who served on USS Constitution and other United States Navy ships in the early 19th century. This musket is
This framed display contains four fragments of flags captured during American naval victories in the War of 1812. Flags captured from enemy vessels were often
This ornate dinner plate was retrieved from HMS Guerriere following its defeat by USS Constitution on August 19, 1812. It was common for fine items
Some of USS Constitution’s crew were listed as “boarders” during battle. They used this weapon to attempt to force their way onto enemy decks when
This detailed ink and watercolor diagram of the battle between USS Constitution and HMS Java on December 29, 1812 was drawn by Charles Frederick Waldo.
Grapeshot was a form of ammunition fired by USS Constitution’s long guns. Take a behind-the-scenes look inside our vault to view this handmade artifact that’s
What “school supplies” did midshipmen use when learning to become naval officers in the 1800s? Find out in this video.
Pay allotments were a way for sailors to provide a small but steady income to their families until their return home. Learn more in this
Bibles were often found on 19th century naval vessels, since Bible societies gave out cheap editions of the religious work. In this video, learn more
USS Constitution sailors received 14 ounces of “bread” per day during the War of 1812. But it wasn’t like the bread we know today! Learn
When the hulls of sailing warships intentionally or accidentally crashed together in early 19th century battles, some of the crew who were listed as “boarders”
This video shows how one couple, Purser Thomas Chew and his wife, Abigail, endured the stress of wartime separation while he was away at sea.
“Day or night” telescopes were commonly used aboard ships in the early 1800s. The large objective lens was designed to increase the amount of light
Decanters–for pouring wine–were often found in the wardrooms of well-to-do officers on early 19th century ships, along with other fancy tableware. Learn more in this
How did sailors in the Age of Sail figure out a ship’s position in the open ocean? They used a sextant, a navigational tool that
Speaking trumpets helped captains and officers communicate aboard naval warships in the 1800s. Learn more in this video.
Watch, quarter, and station bills showed the names of individual sailors and all their assignments on board a ship. Learn more in this video.
Flogging was a form of severe corporal punishment on board vessels in the United States Navy through the first half of the 19th century. Offenders
Cannon locks for carronades, and powder horns with spring-operated closing levers, represent advancements in the technology of war in the early 19th century. In this
Naval surgeons in the early 19th century were responsible for tending to sick and injured sailors while at sea. They carried kits with them filled
Ship operations at sea continued 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. A ship’s bell, tolling every half-hour, day and night, marked the passage of time
In this video are key highlights from the James Sever Collection, a rare and meaningful assemblage of materials related to the construction, launch, original outfitting,
Following USS Constitution’s first victory in the War of 1812, Captain Issac Hull and his crew returned to praise and adulation. This video looks at
In 1776, the U.S. Congress began awarding congressional gold and silver medals to distinguished military figures as expressions of appreciation for their achievements and contributions.
Letter writing was an essential form of communication in the 19th century, and wax seals were a way to authenticate correspondence and ensure that letters
After serving in the War of 1812, Pardon Mawney Whipple was promoted to lieutenant in 1820. Learn about his officer’s cocked hat and pommel sword
Midshipmen were the young officers-in-training in the US Navy. Pardon Mawney Whipple, a midshipman on USS Constitution, kept a letterbook to remember his time at
Imagine going to sea for two years and everything you needed had to fit in a single sea bag. In this video, learn about navy
Learn about USS Constitution crew member Richard Dunn, who was struck in the leg by enemy fire during the battle with HMS Guerriere during the
Learn about two portraits and the stories they tell: Captain John Gwinn and his wife Caroline. Gwinn commanded USS Constitution from 1848 until his untimely
This poem, sung to the tune of “Yankee Doodle,” captures Bostonians’ excitement about USS Constitution’s victory over HMS Guerriere in 1812.
This short, handwritten letter from 1812 is a poignant firsthand account of one officer’s bravery and sacrifice during USS Constitution‘s battle with HMS Guerriere. William
This letter from Royal Navy Captain John Marshall to his friend William Phillips presents a first-hand account of the battle between USS Constitution and HMS
USS Constitution, under the command of Commodore William Bainbridge, defeated the British frigate HMS Java in December 1812 in its second victory of the War
This list itemizes the arms and armament ordered to be transported to Boston to outfit USS Constitution around the time of its launch. USS Constitution
Thomas C. Byron served as a Marine fifer on USS Constitution and composed this narrative in 1861 as an older man, looking back on the
This ceremonial silver urn was a gift from the merchants of Philadelphia to Captain Isaac Hull in honor of USS Constitution‘s defeat of HMS Guerriere
Pardon Mawney Whipple joined USS Constitution’s crew in 1813, at age 22. His letters offer a unique and intimate view of the events aboard USS
©2022 USS constitution museum