Introduction

The USS Constitution has now graced the United States with her service for more than two hundred years. Authorized by Congress in 1794, built in 1797, and launched in 1798, Constitution saw action in one undeclared war and two official wars and was a powerful arm of the United States military capable of carrying American firepower to distant parts of the globe. Let us look back on the glorious career of this ship and her perfect battle record.

She first went to sea to defend the rights of American seamen and merchants. By the end of the eighteenth century, French privateers were seizing merchant vessels bound for England in an attempt to injure the trade of their enemy. The Quasi War between the French and the Americans was waged from 1797 to 1801 in the Atlantic and the West Indies. The French sought to capture American ships, while the U.S. Navy protected American merchants and hunted down French privateers. The capture of the Sandwich in port by the crew of Constitution is an especially daring exploit of this quasi-war.

After peace was arranged with the French, the Constitution sailed to the Mediterranean Sea. Again her mission was to protect American merchants, this time from the powers of the Barbary Coast of North Africa. These states preyed on the shipping of any country in the Mediterranean who did not pay them tribute. The United States early in its history had paid tribute like most European countries, but the Jefferson administration changed the American policy and sent a naval squadron to protect American interests. Constitution first sailed there in 1803 and remained for four years. The highlight of her military action in that conflict was the bombardment of Tripoli with the rest of the U.S. fleet in late summer 1804.

After the Barbary powers were subdued, shortly after the attack on Tripoli, the United States was at peace. American merchants, however, still found it sometimes perilous to travel the West Indies and Atlantic. British warships continued their habit of stopping American merchants and pressing members of the crew into service as well as confiscating cargoes bound for their enemy, France. In 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain. The War of 1812 saw numerous naval engagements, several involving the Constitution. Although she was laid up in dry dock for six months and blockaded in Boston Harbor for another six, Constitution managed to get to sea and defeat four frigates of the mighty British navy, including two on one day. Her ability to defeat enemy men-of-war without sustaining much damage herself gained Constitution the famed nickname she still holds today, "Old Ironsides." The success of the Constitution forced the Royal Navy to abandon the practice of one-on-one encounters between their frigates and the larger U.S. frigates for fear of losing more men-of-war.

After the War of 1812, Constitution continued to serve her country in various tasks. In 1853 she was sent to be the flagship of the African Squadron under the command of Commodore Isaac Mayo. The African squadron counted among its tasks the stopping and seizing of any suspected slave traders. The importation of slaves into the United States had been banned by Congress as early as 1807. In 1819, the Navy was authorized to seize American ships involved in the trade, and in 1820 the slave trade was declared piracy. Finally, in 1842 the United States and Great Britain agreed to patrol the coast of Africa for suspected slavers. The U.S. Navy's African Squadron was authorized to search suspicious ships flying the U.S. flag. The seizure of the H.N. Gambrill was both the first and last capture of its kind for the Constitution. It also turned out to be the last prize taken by Constitution.

In this compilation of original documents "Old Ironsides" and her crew speak for themselves once again, not as they did two hundred years ago with canister and grape, but with their words. They describe the actions and victories of their ship as they witnessed them, and as they reported them back to their superiors or friends ashore. In some instances the losing commander describes what he faced in opposing Constitution. "Old Ironsides" has a perfect battle record, having never been defeated or boarded. This is her story in the words of the men who helped her gain and preserve that record.

A Cutting-Out Expedition, 1800

In early May, 1800, Constitution was cruising in the Caribbean in search of French privateers that might have been preying on American shipping. In the harbor at Port Plate on the island of Hispaniola, they discovered the French corvette Sandwich safely anchored under the cover of the harbor fort's guns. Unable to bring Constitution into the shallow harbor, Captain Silas Talbot planned to surprise the French by sending a small detachment of sailors and marines to storm the ship and sail her out of port. The following documents tell the story of the mission from several different vantage points: First from a member of the cutting out party, followed by the official report of the seizure by Captain Talbot, and other members of the crew. The Sandwich was eventually returned to France by the United States because it had been seized from a neutral port.




11 May 1800
From Captain Silas Talbot, U. S. Navy, to Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert
Explanatory: Extract of a letter from Commodore Silas Talbot, addressed to Mr Secretary Stoddert, dated May 12th 1800:

I have now to acquaint you, Sir, that I have been for some time meditating an enterprize against a French armed ship, lying at Port Plate, protected by her own guns and a Fort of three heavy cannon. It was my first intention to have gone in with the Constitution, and to have silenced the fort and ship, which has all her guns on one side to co-operate with the fort in defending against any hostile force; but after the best information I could gain, I found it to be somewhat dangerous to approach the entrance of the harbor, with a ship of the draft of water of the Constitution.

Having detained the sloop Sally, which had left Port Plate but a few days before, and was to have returned there previous to her sailing for the United States, I conceived that this sloop would be a suitable vessel for a disguise. I therefore manned her at Sea from the Constitution, with about ninety brave seamen and marines, the latter to be commanded by captain Carmick and lieutenant Amory, when on shore; but the entire command I gave to Mr. Isaac Hull, my first lieutenant, who entered the harbor of Port Plate yesterday in open day, with his men in the hold of the sloop, except five or six to work her in. They ran alongside the ship, and boarded her, sword in hand, without the loss of a man, killed or wounded. At the moment the ship was boarded, Agreeably to my plan, captain Carmick and lieutenant Amory landed with the marines, up to their necks in water, and spiked all the cannon in the fort, before the commanding officer had time to recollect and prepare himself for defence.

Perhaps no enterprize of the same moment was ever better executed; and I feel myself under great obligations to lieutenant Hull, captain Carmick, and lieutenant Amory, for their avidity in undertaking the scheme I had planned, and for the handsome manner and great address with which they performed this dashing adventure.

The ship, I understand, mounts four sixes and two nines; she was formerly the British packet Sandwich, and from the boasting publications at the cape, and the declaration of the officers, she is one of the fastest sailers that swims. She ran three or four years, (if I forget not,) as a privateer out of France, and with greater success than any other that ever sailed out of their ports. She is a beautiful copper bottomed ship; her cargo consists principally of sugar and coffee.

I am, &c.
Silas Talbot.


This capture was made about twelve o'clock. When taken, the ship was stripped, having only her lower masts in; her rigging was coiled and stowed below. Before sun-set Lieutenant Hull had her completely rigged, royal yards athwart, guns scaled, men quartered, and in every respect ready for service.

Source: Naval Documents Related to the Quasi-War between the United States and France (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1937), 5: 503-4.



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11 May 1800
Account of the Expedition of U.S. Frigate Constitution, in Harbour of Porto Plata
Whilst the Frigate Constitution, under the command of Captain Talbot was cruising in the neighbourhood of St Domingo an Expedition was determined upon, to cut out a French Corvette of l4 Guns then in the harbour of Porta Plate in that Island, for this purpose a small Sloop belonging to Providence R.I. was made use of & the Expedition placed under the direction of Isaac Hull, then first Lieutenant of the Constitution, who with the Officers & men selected left the Constitution & went on board the Sloop about sun down being at that time a long distance from the land; In standing in the Sloop was fired at by a British Frigate and a boat was sent from the Frigate to ascertain the destination of the Sloop, The British officer was much surprised on getting on board the Sloop to find the Hatch ways filled with American Officers and seamen--Lieut Hull informed him that under disguise he intended to run into Port Plata and endeavour to cut out the French Corvette there loading with Coffee for France, the British Officer intimated that the British Frigate had been watching the movements of the French Vessel with the same intention, Lieutenant Hull replied that it must be effected before the next morning or the Frigate would be too late, as he (Lt H.) should certainly take her out if he found [her] there in the morning, the British Officer left the Sloop wishing success to the Expedition.

In the morning, the Sloop was still a long distance from the port, but the sea breeze springing up early, the Sloop succeeded in entering the port about twelve O'clock, the Pilot who was at the helm of the Sloop was directed to lay the Corvette aboard on the Starboard bow, whilst Lieut Hull stood ready to let go an Anchor from the Stern of the Sloop the moment she came in contact with the Corvette--Not a man was to be seen on board the Sloop & the object was not discovered until the pre-concerted signal was given to board--immediately on the signal being given the men sprang from the hold of the Sloop the Officers from the Cabin, and boarded in handsome style, carrying all before them and taking possession of the Corvette without the loss of a man, Orders had been given to the men to discharge their pistols in the air if but little resistance was offered--As soon as possession was obtained a Boat, manned with Marines under the charge of Captain Carmack & Lieut Amory was sent to the Fort to spike the Guns, which was effected in a very short time; All this was done at noon day within musket shot of the fort, the broad side of the Corvette bearing upon the Sloop as she entered the port, & the wind blowing directly into the harbour.

The Corvette was dismantled having nothing but her lower Masts standing, and not a Rope over the Mast heads-- By sundown she was completely Rigged sails bent, Royal yards aloft ready for Sea, in the mean Time the Guns of the Corvette had been scaled, re-loaded & brought to bear on the Town, the men ready for any emergency, at about twelve o'clock at night the Wind came off the land & the Corvette was got underway & stood out the most perfect & complete success having attended the Expedition & without the loss of an individual.

Source: Naval Documents Related to the Quasi-War between the United States and France (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1937), 5: 504-5.



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Extract from a letter from an Officer on board the U. S. Frigate Constitution to his friend in Philadelphia, concerning her enterprize against the French armed ship which was formerly the British Packet Sandwich
Constitution, at Sea,
12th May, 1800.


Captain Talbot has put his plan into execution respecting the cutting out the ship. I performed my part with very little trouble the only disagreeable part of the business was being cooped up in a small vessel for 12 hours--for we fortunately took a small American vessel that had been in the port a few days before, and was to return there in a short time. By this means it was easy to take the vessel by surprize; it put me in mind of the wooden horse at Troy. We all remained below until we received orders from the officer, the only one of us who remained on the deck of the sloop, whose business it was to lay us on board, which he did on the starboard bow. The men went on board like devils, and it was as much as the first lieutenant and myself could do to prevent blood being spilt. I believe it was not half an hour before the ship was taken, that I had possession of the fort and all the cannon spiked, and returned again on board the prize before they could get any succours from the city. I presume they were rather surprized when they found the cannon spiked; we had then possession of the harbor, we took our time to rig the ship, as she had her topmasts down and all her sails unbent. By 6 o'clock the lieutenant had every thing in order, and the men stationed at the cannon, ready with my marines to oppose all their force, which we understood was about five hundred men--they sent several flags of truce, making different requests, to which we answered that we had only executed the orders of our commander. On shore they were not ignorant, that it was impossible for us to get out until the land breeze came off which you know is in the morning; he concluded we must have been pretty determined before we undertook the business as we had no other alternative than to die or succeed; he however remained very quiet, and we came out in the morning and joined our commodore.

The night before we performed this business, in going to Porto Plate, we were met at 12 o'clock at night by an English Frigate, who fired two shot and brought us too; we we went on board and after examining us we proceeded; we suspected he was going on the same business we were upon--he will peep into the harbour La Plate to day and find his plan frustrated. The English Captain informed us, that he was cruising to intercept a French frigate arrived at St. Domingo from France, and was to proceed round to Cape Francois.

Bombardment of Tripoli, 1804

Constitution joined the Navy's Mediterranean squadron for the first time in September of 1803, and remained there until October 1807. Her mission was to protect American shipping in the Mediterranean on which the Barbary corsairs were preying. In August 1804, the American Navy massed enough ships to attack the heavily defended harbor of Tripoli. American ships bombarded the harbor and engaged Tripolian vessels five times during August and early September 1804. The documents that follow are excerpts from Captain Edward Preble's journal as well as the log book kept by Nathaniel Haraden, Constitution's sailing master, detailing the attacks of August 3, 7, and 28, as well as the final action on September 3.




3 August 1804
Extract from journal kept on board the U. S. Frigate Constitution
by Captain Edward Preble, U. S. Navy, Saturday, 4 August 1804
Wind E b S. Standing off shore on the Starbord Tack the signal out to come within hail spoke the different Vessels and acquainted their Commanders that it was my Intention to attack the shipping & Batteries,--directed the Gun Boats & Bombs to be prepared for immediate service.--

at 12 1/2 pm Tack'd & stood for the Batteries. Back'd the Main Topsail, at 1/2 1 pm made the general signal to follow the motions of the Commodore. filled the Maintopsail & stood in towards the Batteries, at 1/4 past 2 made the signal for the Bombs & Gun Boats to advance & attack the ships & Batteries. 1/2 past 2 general signal for Battle. the whole squadron advanc'd within point Blank shot of the Enemies Batteries & shipping, our Gun Boats in two divisions the 1st consisting of 3 Boats Commanded by Capt Somers the 2d of three Boats by Capt Decatur, at 3/4 past 2 the Action commenced on our side by throwing a shell into the Town, and in an Instant the whole Squadron were engaged.--the Enemies Gun Boats were Anchord with springs on, in three divisions the Eastern or van division consisted of 9 Boats the center of 7 Boats, and the Western or Rear of 5 Boats. As the wind was from the Eastward our Boats were ordered to lead in to Windward and attack the Enemy. the Rear & center division of the Enemies Boats are close under their Batteries, & the Van division consisting of their largest Boats are within Grape distance of the Bashaws Castle & fort English at 3 observed our Gun Boats engaged in close action with the Enemies Boats, while a tremendous fire was kept up by this ship and the rest of the Squadron. Capt Decatur with No. 4 Lt Trippe of No 6 & Lt Bainbridge of No. 5 & Lt James Decatur of No. 2 attacked the enemys Boats within Pistol shot. No. 1 Capt Somers fell to Leward but fetched up with the Enemys Rear of 5 Boats which he gallantly attacked disabled & drove in altho within pistol shot of the Batteries. No. 3 Lt Blake did not go into close Action, had he gone down to the assistance of Capt Somers it is probable they would have captured the Rear Boats. Capt Decatur Boarded and after a stout and obstinate resistance took possession of two of the Enemies Gun Boats, Lt Trip Boarded and carried a third. Lt James Decatur in the Act of Boarding to take possession of a fourth Boat was shot through the Head & Mortally wounded the officer next in command (Mn Brown) hauld off. Lt Bainbridge had his Latten Yard shot away early in the Action which prevented him from taking a Boat but he Galled the Enemy by a steady fire within Musket shot, indeed he pursued the Enemy until his Boat touch'd the ground under the Batteries. the Bombs kept their stations which were well chosen, by Lt Dent & Lt Robinson, who commanded them, and threw a number of shells into the town altho the spray of the sea occasioned by the enemies shot almost covered them, three different times the Enemies Gun Boats rallied and attempted to surround ours. I as often made the signal to cover them, which was properly attended to by the Brigs & Schooners, and the fire from this ship not only had the desired effect on the enemies flotilla by keeping them in check and disabling them, but silenced one of their principal Batteries for some time, at 1/2 past 4 pm made the signal for the Bombs to retire from action out of Gun shot, and a few minutes after the general signal to Cease fireing and Tow out the Prizes & disabled Boats. sent our Barge and Jolly Boat to assist in that duty. Tack'd ship & fired two Broadsides in stays which drove the Tripolines out of the Castle & brought down the Steeple of a Mosque, by this time the wind began to freshen from N E at 4 3/4 PM hauld off to take the Bombs in tow, at 5 pm Brought to, two miles from their Batteries, Recd Lt James Decatur on board from Gun Boat No. 2, he was shot through the Head (in Boarding a Tripoline Boat which had struck to him) he expired in a few moments after he was brought into the ship.-- We lay to until 10 PM to receive the Prisoners on board captured in the Prizes, then made sail & stood off to the N E the wind Veering to the E S E.--we have all the surgeons of the squadron on board dressing the wounded.--

During the Action we fired 262 Rounds shot besides Grape double head & Canister from this ship and were several times within 3 cables lengths of the Rocks & Batteries where our soundings were from 10 to 16 faths the Officers Seamen & Marines of the Squadron behaved Gallantly throughout the Action. Capt Decatur in Gun Boat No 4 particularly distinguished himself as did Lt Trip of No 6. Our loss in Killed & Wounded has been considerable the damage we recd in this ship is a 24 pound shot nearly through the center of the Mainmast 20 feet from the deck, Main Top Gallant R Yard & sail shot away, one of the Fore shrouds and the sails & running rigging considerably cut one of the 24 pounders on the Quarter deck was struck by a 24 pound shot which damaged the Gun and carriage and shattered the Arm of a Marine to pieces, Gun Boat No. 2 had her latteen yard shot away, & the Rigging & sails of the Brigs and Schooners were considerably cut. We captured 3 Gun Boats two of which carried each a long Brass 24 pounder & two Brass Howitzers and 36 men with a plenty of muskets pistols pikes sabres &c, the other mounted a long Brass 18 pounder & two Howitzers & 24 men 44 Tripolines were killed on board of the 3 boats and 52 made prisoners, 26 of which were wounded, 17 of them very badly 3 of which died soon after they were brought on board, the Enemy must have suffered very much in Killed & wounded among their Shipping and on shore, one of their Boats was sunk in the harbour several of them had their decks nearly cleared of men by our shot, and several shells burst in the Town, which must have done great execution. --

We have lost in Killed & Wounded Viz

Killed Wounded
Lt James Decatur Capt Decatur slight
Lt Tripp[e] severely
10 Seamen & Marines wounded


Total 1 Officer Killed
2 Officers wounded
10 Seamen and Marines Wounded

Source: Naval Documents Related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1942), 4: 338-40.



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Extract from log book kept by Sailing Master Nathaniel Haraden, U.S. Navy,
on board U.S. Frigate Constitution, Saturday, 4 August 1804
Fresh breezes from E b N. We are standing off shore 2 or 3 Miles from Tripoly with a signal out, for the Squadron to come within hail -- We spoke them, & directed the Gun Boats & Bombards to be ready for immediate service --

We made a short board off till 12 1/2 Noon when we tacked in for the Batteries, and made signal for the Gun boats & Bombards to cast off -- Our Gun boats are in two divisions -- The first is commanded by Capt Somers of the Nautilus, Lt Decatur & Lt Blake; The 2d division by Capt Decatur of the Enterprize, Lt. Tripp[e] & Lt. Bainbridge The Bombards are commanded by Capt Dent of the Scourge & Lt. Robinson of the Constitution --

The Enemy's gun boats are the same in number as on Saturday last, and are stationed in three divisions as a line of defence -- The two Western divisions are close under the Batteries, and the 3d consisting of their largest boats carrying either long 24 or 32 pounders is to the Eastward, and under cover of Grape from the Batteries -- A few minutes after we tacked in towards the batteries we backed the main topsail to make some arrangements in the Squadron --

At 1 1/4 P.M. made the Nautilus signal to make more sail, & a few minutes after made signal for the Bombards to take their stations, and for the Gun boats to advance Capt Decatur and Lieuts J. Decatur. Tripp & Bainbridge led in for the Eastern division of the Enemy's Gun boats -- At 2 P.M. made signal to advance -- We were now within gun shot of all the Enemys batteries and stood in within a mile of them before a shot was exchanged -- At 2 3/4 Bombard No. 1 hove a shell -- The enemy's batteries and Gun boats immediately commenced firing which we returned with our Larboard Guns --

Capt Decatur boarded and after a stout resistance took possession of two of the enemy's Gun boats; Lieut Trip boarded & carried a third -- Lt. J. Decatur in the Act of boarding a third was mortally wounded and the Officer next in command hauled off--

Lt Bainbridges boat was partly disabled in proceeding to the Attack -- however she was in, and in close action Capt Somers was some way astern when the signal to advance was made -- He came up with every possible expedition, received the fire of four boats, and pursued them within musket shot of the Bashaws castle The Bombards kept their stations and continued to throw shells, altho nearly covered with the spray of the Enemys shot.--

Gun boat No. 3 was not in close action.

Three different times we made the general signal to cover the Boats --

At 4 P.M. the Enemy's boats attempted to surround Capt Somers -- The Vixen bore down to his support, and we immediately hove about & gave them our starboard Guns, on which they all retreated under the Batteries. At 4 1/2 P.M. made the Bombards signal to haul off, and a few minutes after, the general signal to cease firing, and tow out the prizes, and disabled boats.

Sent two boats from the Constitution to assist in Towing out the Prizes Tacked within half a Gun shot of the Bashaws Castle & round Battery, and gave them a full broadside in stays, which drove them out of the Castle & brought down a steeple in the direction of the Castle.

By this time the wind freshened and began to Veer to N E.

At 4 3/4 P.M. we hauled off & made signal to take the Bombards & gun boats in Tow. At 5 P.M. brought to, two miles from the Batteries --

Rec'd Lt. J. Decatur from Gun Boat No. 2 -- He was wounded in the head and Expired in a few minutes after being brought on board.

Capt. Decatur reports that ten on our side were wounded & Sixty of the Enemy killed in the three Gun boats which we have captured -- We received on board fifty two Prisoners, twenty of whom are wounded -- Four of the wounded prisoners died soon after they were brought on board -- All the Surgeons in the Squadron assisted in dressing the Wounded --

Although the Constitution was exposed to the fire of all the Enemys batteries & Gun boats for upwards of two hours, Nine shot only struck her -- The Commodore had a very narrow escape -- He was close to a gun disabled by one of the enemy's shot; -- The shot broke & severely wounded one man -- the Commodores cloathes were cut in several places by pieces of the shot --

We had one of the fore shrouds, and the main Royal Yard cut away. Our main mast is wounded about 28 feet above deck with a 24 ball which came from the Bashaws Castle -- It is wooded about 15 Inches.--

During the acti