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 in each four-hour watch (shift). Students view two actual bells associated with the USS Constitution.
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 gun to unify them. In this activity, students view an 1812 object that belonged to a gun team and discuss their own experience bonding over
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.
This skit recounts the battle between USS Constitution and HMS Guerriere using many of the actual words expressed by men who took part in the battle. The skit takes approximately ten minutes to perform. You will need six volunteers to read the parts of the characters, a narrator, and a
Students view and discuss two primary source political cartoons about the War of 1812.
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 bar of soap inspired by this primary source object.
Join Constitution‘s crew in 1812 with this paper-based recruiting quiz. Pair students up and have one be the recruiter while the other is the sailor being recruited. Ask your students: what qualifications do you think were needed to join the United States Navy in the War of 1812?
“Step this way, gentlemen, to join the crew of America’s finest frigate.” Standing in the street of a seaport, Constitution’s recruiting officer Charles Morgan has a well-rehearsed story. He tells potential seamen about the pay, the food, and the chance of glory and fortune in the Navy. Many men in
Huzza! HUZZA! The captain and crew of Constitution were heroes! News of their victory over Guerriere spread fast as soon as Constitution returned to Boston. So when captain Isaac Hull stepped ashore on the first day of September, the whole city greeted him. Flags flew. Bands played. Cannons fired deafening
Deaths were not unusual on warships, but a funeral always stopped the busy routine of Constitution. Before it began, a ship-mate sewed the dead man into his hammock, with a cannonball at his feet. The last stitch went through his nose, as a final test for life. Then, to a
Constitution’s maintop was like a swaying, tree-top fortress when battle began. The ship’s bravest Marines fought from here, aiming to pick off enemy seamen with musket fire. Fixed around the main mast some fifty feet above the deck, the maintop was half the width of a tennis court. It felt
Constitution’s 52 heavy guns give her awesome power in battle, but they are useless without expert gun crews to fire them. To hone their skills, the seamen practice regularly, rehearsing a strict routine until they can do it blindfolded. Every man plays his part with furious concentration, for a naval
Buried deep below Constitution’s waterline was a strange, cramped, dark, place: the magazine. Copper lined the walls. The only light came through a window from a lantern in the next room. Sailors working here were forbidden to carry iron objects, and they wore felt slippers. These precautions were needed because
Roaring and belching fire, Constitution’s guns were like huge and dangerous dragons when the enemy drew near. Seamen fed their smoking mouths with gunpowder and iron. Thick ropes controlled them, yet with every shot they jerked and lurched, threatening to break loose. Constant training taught each member of the gun
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. The letter, from Marine Lieutenant John Contee to Lewis Bush, recounts the death of Lewis’ brother, Lt. William Sharp Bush, on August 19, 1812 during
Sailing Master Michael Clear wrote his wife, Sarah, about the cruelties of war following Constitution‘s battle with HMS Java.
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. The congressional votes show the ambivalent feelings of many New Englanders toward this new conflict.
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 States, including the impressment of American sailors into the Royal Navy, the harassment of merchant vessels, and the blockading of commerce. Click on “More Details”
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 British frigate HMS Java. Beginning in 1776, the United States Congress began awarding gold medals to distinguished military figures who served in the American Revolution,
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 commemorates USS Constitution‘s arrival in Boston Harbor on April 17, 1814 after its recent War of 1812 exploits.
This is a list of popular songs from the early 19th century, with suggestions on where to find them. Listen to some early American tunes with your students, just as officers and sailors did during their time off duty.
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 patriotic pride. It displays a 14-stanza poem which commemorates one of the most famous engagements in American naval history, USS Constitution’s victory over the British
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, it was common practice for the captors to scour the enemy’s decks for battle souvenirs to take home.
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 British frigate HMS Java. Beginning in 1776, the United States Congress began awarding gold medals to distinguished military figures who served in the American Revolution,
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 famed artist Gilbert Stuart, has a funny story. Bainbridge sat for Stuart in the artist’s Boston studio, but the two did not get along. Stuart
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 the traditional uniform of early U.S. Navy officers and looks every bit the confident captain in this painting.
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 ball through his shoulder at the height of the battle, but continued at his station until the conflict was over. He died on board the
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, and vases that glorified the accomplishments of the new United States, motifs which were popular among Americans.
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 in each watch. This bell was purportedly removed from HMS Guerriere and used as a substitute for Constitution‘s bell, which was destroyed during the battle
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 that could be poured out with one hand into a rifle.
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 19th centuries. It could cause great damage to wooden decks and hulls. In this example, a broad arrow marks it as British, otherwise it would
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 a standard U.S. Navy issue for the period.
A series of four paintings depict one of the most famous engagements in American naval history: On August 19, 1812, USS Constitution met and defeated HMS Guerriere, a 38-gun British frigate. The victory provided a much-needed morale boost for the American public, and these paintings were a statement of patriotic
This small oil painting depicts the battle between USS Constitution and the British frigates HMS Cyane and HMS Levant. With some artistic license, the painting illustrates the lighting and feel of a battle that extended into the night.
This large oil painting depicts USS Constitution escaping a British squadron. This event was the culmination of a three-day chase where there was no wind. As a result, Constitution’s crew had resorted to towing the ship with boats and kedging with an anchor in an effort to escape.
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 cut up and distributed or sold as souvenirs.
This gold-mounted presentation dress sword and scabbard was presented to Captain Isaac Hull by the State of Connecticut in 1819. Its maker, Nathan Starr, worked with state and federal governments to produce ceremonial pieces to present to American naval heroes.
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 like this to be taken from a defeated ship.
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 the hulls of their warships intentionally or accidentally crashed together. Pikes were also used defensively to repel enemy boarders.
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. He was Constitution’s assistant sailing master stationed on the main fighting top during the battle. This bird’s eye view presented an excellent perspective from which
This series of four prints depicts dramatic moments in the battle between USS Constitution and HMS Java on December 29, 1812. Plate 1 shows Java with its foremast falling. Plate 2 shows Java with just the lower section of the mainmast still standing. Plate 3 shows Java without masts. Plate
The final battle of USS Constitution’s career took place in February 1815, against two British ships. This blog utilizes primary sources to tell the story of the Ship’s victory over HMS Cyane and HMS Levant.
Read a harrowing account of USS Constitution’s second War of 1812 victory, against the HMS Java, in December of 1812.
USS Constitution earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” and became a household name after her victory over HMS Guerriere in August of 1812. This blog post uses contemporary paintings and logbook entries to outline the events of the engagement.
What happened to sailors when they lost a battle at sea? This article explains the treatment of both British and American naval prisoners of war in the 1812 era.
From the timber needed for repairs, to navigational instruments, to the fuel that lit an officer’s cabin, this article describes all of the material culture–the stuff–needed to outfit a warship like USS Constitution.
In the early 1800s, free black men made up an average of 15% of U.S. Navy crews. Read about the motivations behind this service and the opportunity it provided for black sailors.
In honor of USS Constitution’s 21-gun salute for Independence Day, learn all about the ship’s mighty firepower. Do you have what it takes to join the gun crew? A Sailor’s Life, Live! was a virtual series produced in 2020.
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 rarely on view.
What was the War of 1812 all about anyway? In this video, learn about America’s second war for independence from 1812 to 1815.
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” jumped into action. They would attempt to force their way onto the enemy’s decks, armed with boarding pikes, axes, and cutlasses. Learn more in this
During 19th century sea battles, Marines armed with muskets were stationed in each of the three fighting tops, high above the spar deck. Learn more about Marines and their weapons in this video.
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 video, learn more about how these advancements affected sailors on USS Constitution in the War of 1812.
This video provides a brief history of USS Constitution, America’s Ship of State.
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 some of the gifts he received as a thank-you from a grateful nation.
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. Learn about some of the medals awarded to USS Constitution’s crew in this video.
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 sea from 1813 to 1820.
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 War of 1812. His leg was hastily amputated by the ship’s surgeon, and he later received a prosthetic.
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 Bush was the first US Marine Corps officer killed in combat during the War of 1812.
The modern-day crew of USS Constitution demonstrate a simulated gun drill. In the age of sail, gunnery was fairly simple and victory often relied upon the speed and efficiency with which a crew could load and fire its long guns and carronades.
Make your own miniature cannon with a film canister and some Alka-Seltzer® tablets.
Follow along and emboss your own “silver” trophy similar to the one presented to Captain Isaac Hull after USS Constitution’s victory over the HMS Guerriere.
Using Alka-Seltzer tablets and canisters, students will produce a chemical change to recreate the loading and firing of a gun on Constitution.
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 Java from the British perspective.
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 of 1812. In this letter, Bainbridge discusses a medal he received in honor of this victory. Bainbridge was dissatisfied with the design on the back,
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 carried a hefty load of weapons to support her crew of 450-500 men during battle.
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 ship’s actions during the War of 1812. He was present for Constitution’s three major battles, which he describes, as well storms, visits to foreign ports,
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 during the War of 1812. The urn was created as a symbol of gratitude, pride, and patriotism following America’s early naval successes. However, the merchants
This type of ammunition was a small collection of musket balls encased in burlap and twine netting. It was a deadly package. Usable at short range, and fired by a small rail-mounted gun, it was intended to disable as many crew as possible on an enemy ship.
Letters are one of the few primary sources that provide insight into the women and families sailors left behind when they went to sea. Abigail Chew’s letters to her husband Thomas, USS Constitution’s 1812 purser, help us understand her thoughts and feelings being on the homefront with a loved one
This is the story of USS Constitution’s War of 1812 surgeon, Dr. Amos Evans. Learn about Evans’ experience treating the crew, from everyday illnesses to battle injuries, in this article featuring excerpts from the surgeon’s personal journal.
Guns like this swivel howitzer were used on USS Constitution’s fighting tops, where they would be fired down on the opposing crew. Howitzers of this size were often used like a big shotgun, firing canister or grape shot that could cover a large swath of the enemy deck.
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