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Constitution, USS
Constitution, USS one of six frigates, including the USS Congress, authorized by an act of Congress in 1794, and, more heavily armed than standard frigates, formidable naval opponents. In a battle with the British ship Guerriere during the War of 1812, the British saw that their shot seemed to bounce harmlessly off the Constitution's hull and nicknamed it “Old Ironsides.” The Constitution served well from 1798 until early in the 20th century, establishing U.S. superiority at sea, and was saved twice from scrapping by public sentiment. In 1925 it was restored using funds donated by schoolchildren and patriotic groups. In 1931, it was recommissioned and, under tow, toured ninety port cities along the U.S. coasts in the course of three years. Placed in permanent commission in 1941, a 1954 act of Congress made the Secretary of the Navy responsible for the Constitution's upkeep.
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Cite this article
"Constitution, USS." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Constitution, USS." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-ConstitutionUSS.html "Constitution, USS." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-ConstitutionUSS.html |
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