0
When and why did the ship USS Constitution get its name Old Ironsides?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
The USS Constitution is called "Old Ironsides" because cannonballs were seen to bounce off of her rugged oak hull during mortal combat with the British frigate Guerriere on August 19th, 1812. The ships were barely fifty yards apart when they fired- point-blank- at each other.
Also, she was NEVER defeated or boarded.
For more information, please see the related link(s).
========================================
The USS Constitution was built in 1796 before ironclad ships (ships of iron were first used in combat nearly 70 yrs later during the civil war era). The Constitution was built out of a very tough, dense wood; Southern Live Oak. Its sides were thicker than the standard battle ship; 21 in. vs 18 in. During the war of 1812, in one particular battle against a British ship, a US sailor observed their cannon balls bouncing off the sides of the Constitution. He exclaimed, "Huzzah, her sides are made of iron". Thus, "Old Ironsides".
She is still active & is the oldest commissioned ship in the US Navy. She is currently in port & can be seen at the end of the Freedom Trail in Boston, where the Navy offers guided daily tours to the public. A true American treasure!
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoBecause, cannonballs could not penetrate her hard oak sides.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoBecause cannonballs would bounce off the hull, if I remember 8th grade history correctly. But don't quote me on that.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoFirst U.S Navy ship to have armour plates fitted. They were plates of iron over a wooden construction, along the sides of the ship.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agobecause it was made of iron
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What name did the people give to the good ship constitution?
"Old Ironsides"
What was the nickname of the ship the constitution?
Old Ironsides
What was the nickname given to the ship constitution?
Old Ironsides
Why was she nicknamed Old Ironsides?
The ship USS Constitution got the nickname Old Ironsides because the ship had iron plating in the hull. The ship was used during the Civil War.
What is the diffance between ironside and ironsides?
Ironside refers to the style of ship and/or its structure. Ironsides is a nickname bestowed on the USS Constitution, although usually preceded by Old as in Old Ironsides.
What is old ironsides official name?
The USS Constitution.
What ship nicknammed Old Ironsides during the war of 1812 is the oldest vessel still commissioned in the US Navy?
The USS Constitution is the oldest comissioned ship in the US Navy. The USS Constitution is "Old Ironsides" and is the oldest ship still commissioned by the U.S. Navy.
What American ship won a stunning victory over the British ship Guerriere?
USS Constitution (Old Ironsides).
What was the nick name of the warship constitution in 1812?
Old Ironsides
What was Old Ironsides in the the USS?
Old Ironsides refers to the USS Constitution, a wooden-hulled, three-masted frigate of the United States Navy. The nickname "Old Ironsides" was given to the ship due to its resilience in battle, particularly during the War of 1812. Despite being made of wood, the ship's thick oak planks were said to be so strong that they appeared as if made of iron.
What is the USS. Constitution nickname?
It went head to head with a British warship. During the battle, none of the cannon shots penetrated the ship's hull.
What is the use of the ship in Oliver Wendell Holmes poem Old Ironsides?
I don't remember this poem but "Old Ironsides" was the sailor's name of the USS Constitution, which was a war ship made after the American Revolution in 1790's. It is still a US Navy ship and can be toured at Boston Naval Shipyard. It was called "Old Ironsides" because it was one of the first ships that was plated with copper to protect it from cannon shells.
