Charlestown in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

USS Constitution

Boston National Historical Park

— Charlestown Navy Yard —

USS Constitution Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

1. USS Constitution Marker

Inscription. Launched in 1797, USS Constitution set sail the next year on the world’s oceans to protect American commerce. Her victories soon earned her a permanent place in United States naval history.

On August 19, 1812, USS Constitution took on the British frigate HMS Guerriere. A half hour of intense combat maimed the British ship. According to legend, as the cannon balls of HMS Guerriere bounced harmlessly off the oak-planked sides of USS Constitution, a sailor exclaimed, “Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!” Ever since, USS Constitution has enjoyed the affectionate nickname, “Old Ironsides.”

Even after her fighting days were over, USS Constitution continued to represent her country. She cruised around the world in 1844-46, covering 52,000 miles in 852 days. Now berthed permanently in the Charlestown Navy Yard, she is the nation’s oldest commissioned warship.

Erected by Boston National Historical Park, National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1797.

Location. 42°

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22.351′ N, 71° 3.44′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in Charlestown. Marker can be reached from Constitution Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard, near the USS Constitution. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charlestown MA 02129, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Paul Revere’s Landing (a few steps from this marker); Paul Revere (a few steps from this marker); Gate One, Charlestown Navy Yard (within shouting distance of this marker); "A state of perfect chaos" (within shouting distance of this marker); Charlestown Navy Yard (within shouting distance of this marker); Tudor Wharves (within shouting distance of this marker); Breakthrough (within shouting distance of this marker); Explore the Navy Yard (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

More about this marker. The upper left of the marker contains a picture of the USS Constitution at sea, courtesy of the USS Constitution Museum. The upper right contains a picture of the Constitution in a battle with the Guerriere. The captions for the pictures are “(Left) Under sail. The campaign to restore ‘Old Ironsides’ in 1927 sold more than one million prints of this painting by Gordon Grant.

Photographed By Mary Ellen Coghlan, December 31, 2016

2. USS Constitution Marker

Marker inside the USS Constitution

(Above) Undefeated. USS Constitution captures HMS Guerriere.” The bottom left of the marker contains pictures of various men who served on USS Constitution. It has the caption “The battle years. Shifting nearly an acre of sailcloth was strenuous work, even when not under fire. The U.S. Navy relied on 450 men and boys, from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, to maneuver this 204-foot-long wooden fortress.” The bottom right features a recent photo of “The crew today. U.S. Navy personnel, in uniforms reminiscent of the War of 1812, tell the story of ‘Old Ironsides’ to a million visitors each year.”

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . . Original Six Frigates of the United States Navy. (Submitted on November 7, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Additional keywords. U.S. Frigate [USF]; First Barbary War; Quasi-War with France.

Marker in Charleston Navy Yard image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

3. Marker in Charleston Navy Yard

USS Constitution and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

4. USS Constitution and Marker

USS Constitution image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

5. USS Constitution

The USS Constitution (aka "Old Ironsides") is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world.

"Old Ironsides" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

6. "Old Ironsides"

The USS Constitution berthed at the Charleston Navy Yard.

Below Deck on the USS Constitution image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

7. Below Deck on the USS Constitution

USS Constitution Sleeping Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 15, 2009

8. USS Constitution Sleeping Area

USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, circa 1995

9. USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides")

Photographed By Journalist 2nd Class Todd Stevens, USN, July 21, 1997

10. USS Constitution

under sail in Boston Harbor, 1997.

USS Constitution Commanding Officers Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mary Ellen Coghlan, December 31, 2016

11. USS Constitution Commanding Officers Plaque

Located adjacent to USS Constitution Marker

USS Constitution Officers Room image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mary Ellen Coghlan, December 31, 2016

12. USS Constitution Officers Room

Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,744 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on February 1, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on April 15, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on January 5, 2017, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Warwick, New York. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 15, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7, 8. submitted on July 3, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 9, 10. submitted on November 7, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 11, 12. submitted on January 5, 2017, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Warwick, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.