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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

US Frigate Constellation (I)

Frigate:

Order, 27 March 1794, designed by Joshua Humphreys and Josiah Fox whose plans were altered by David Stodder

Built at the Strerett Shipyard, Harris Creek, Fells Point, Baltimore, MD. by David Stodder, and the superintendent of shipbuilding, Captain Thomas Truxtun

Launched 7 September 1797

Under the command of CAPT. Thomas Truxtun, USF Constellation sailed for the West Indies 17 December 1798, to protect the United States’ commerce

Her baptism of fire came, 9 February 1799, when she captured the French 40-gun frigate L’Insurgente in battle off Nevis, West Indies

Constellation in succeeding months, she also seized two French privateers, Diligent and Union

On the evening of 1 February 1800 Constellation engaged the 52-gun frigate La Vengeance, although badly mauled Vengence was able to escape under cover of darkness

Constellation joined the Mediterranean Squadron participating in the blockade of Tripoli in May 1802

Returning to the States in November 1805, Constellation moored at Washington where she was placed in ordinary

After extensive repairs in 1812-1813 Constellation, CAPT. Charles Stewart, in command, was dispatched to Hampton Roads

In January 1813 the Frigate blockaded the British fleet making it impossible for them to reach the open sea

During the war against the Barbary powers Constellation, attached to the Mediterranean Squadron, under Commodore Stephen Decatur participated in the capture of the Algerian frigate Mashuda, 17 June 1815

Constellation remained with the squadron until returning to Hampton Roads in December 1817

From 12 November 1819 to 24 April 1820 Constellation served as flagship of COMO. Charles Morris on the Brazil Station

On 25 July 1820, she sailed joined Pacific Squadron of COMO. Charles Stewart.

In 1827, Constellation acted briefly as flagship for the West India Squadron on a twofold mission involving the eradication pirates and the interception of slavers

August 1829, she cruised the Mediterranean to watch over American shipping and to collect indemnities from previous losses suffered by U.S. merchantmen

Returning to the United States in November 1831, for minor repairs and returning to the Mediterranean in April 1832, until an outbreak of cholera forced her to sail for home in November 1834

In October 1835, Constellation sailed for the Gulf of Mexico to assist in crushing the Seminole uprising

She then cruised with the West India Squadron until 1838 serving part of this period as flagship for COMO. Alexander Dallas

During the 1840’s Constellation circumnavigate the globe as flagship of CAPT. Kearny and the East India Squadron

En route home in May 1843 she entered the Hawaiian Islands, helping to keep them from becoming a British protectorate

Constellation was ultimately laid up in ordinary at Norfolk from 1845 to 1853

Final Disposition, broken up at Norfolk in 1853

Specifications:
Displacement 1,265 t.
Length 164'
Beam 41'
Depth of Hold 13' 4"
Draft 13' 6"
Decks Orlop, berth, Gun, Spar
Speed unknown
Complement 340
Armament

twenty-eight 18-pdr long guns

twenty 32-pdr carronades

Propulsion sail, three masts, ship rig

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
094602072	46k	*Namesake* Constellation - Refers to the Flag Act of 1777 which was passed by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, in response to a petition made by a Native American nation on June 3 for "an American Flag." "Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."	Tommy Trampp
	97k	A pencil and ink on paper drawing of the hull for US Frigates *Constellation* (1797) and *Congress* (1799). Designed by Joshua Humphreys and Josiah Fox, et al., 1795. National Archives and Records Administration, Records of the Bureau of Ships	Robert Hurst
	103k	Painting from the US Library of Congress of US Frigate Constellation (left) as she engages the French 40-gun frigate *L'Insurgente* on 9 February 1799, during the Quasi-War with France. Artist unknown. From "An Illustrated History of the United States Navy" by Chester G. Hearn.	Robert Hurst
	137k	USF Constellation captures *L'Insurgente*, February 9, 1799 during the Quasi-Wars with France. Artist unknown.	Arnold A. Putnam
	165k	Painting of the frigate USF Constellation (left) engaging the French 50-gun frigate *L'Insurgente* on 2 February 1800 during the Quasi-War with France. Artist unknown. From the US Navy Memorial. "On February 2, 1800 the 50-gun *La'Vengeance*, was enroute to France from Guadalupe when Commander Thomas Truxtun spied the French ship. A four-hour battle ensued.... The French directed their fire on Constellations's rigging, Constellation concentrated on La'Vengeance's hull and timbers. The punishment to La'Vengeance was so great that three times the French attempted to haul down their colors. However, in the growing darkness, Truxtun was not able to see the signal.... The French fire finally weakened Constellation's mainmast so it snapped off at the deck. Truxtun pulled back to repair the damage and La'Vengeance escaped into the darkness."	Tommy Trampp
	124k	The battle between the USF Constellation and th French frigate *L'Insurgente*, 9 February 1799, from a painting by Chares Patterson. "History of the US Navy", by James M. Morris, courtesy the National Maritime Museum, United Kingdom.	Tommy Trampp
	222k	USF Constellation defeats *L'Insurgente*, 1 February 1800 during the Quasi-Wars with France. Artist unknown.	Arnold A. Putnam
	111k	COMO.Stephen Decatur squadron off Algiers comprised of the frigates; USF Guerriere, the flagship with 44 guns, commanded by Captain William Lewis, USF Constellation with 36 guns, commanded by Captain Charles Gordon; USF Macedonia with 38 guns, under the command of Captain Jacob Jones; the sloops-of-war USS Eperyie, commanded by Captain John Downes, and USS Ontario with 16 guns, commanded by Captain Jesse D. Elliott; the brigs USS Firefly, USS Spark and USS Flambeau, each with 14 guns, commanded by Lieutenants George W. Kodgers, Thomas Gamble, and John B. Nicholson; and the schooners USS Torch and USS Spitfire, both with 12 guns, commanded by Lieutenants Wolcott Chauncey and Alexander J. Dallas. Gardner Weld Allen (1856-1944) - "Our Navy and the Barbary Corsairs".	Tommy Trampp

USF Constellation Memorabilia
Commemorative Medallion Contributed by Jack Treutle	Commemorative Medallion Contributed by Jack Treutle

USF Constellation (I)
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

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Last Updated 9 May 2023