Old+Ironsides

="Old Ironsides"= toc

"Old Ironsides" was a ship in the USA Navy in 1812. Her actual name was the USS CONSITUTION. She got her nickname from when in battle, a cannonball hit her side, but didn't go through the wood. __

Why was "Old Ironsides" built?
"Old Ironsides" was built for the US Navy. George Washington (when he was president) signed an act that said the US could provide a naval fleet when necessary. Then in 1812, the US and Britain were at war with each other. The USS CONSTITUTION/"Old Ironsides" was set out to sea to defend the USA, because Britain had the main control over the Atlantic Ocean and needed to be stopped.

Who did she defeat?
"Old Ironsides" captured and commandeered many foreign vessels. "Old Ironsides" defeated the Sandwhich, a French vessel. She sunk the HMS GUERRIERE, a British ship that gave "Old Ironsides" her nickname. A few years later, there was a sticky situation of a two British ships against the USS CONSTITUTION. First, the USS CONSTITUTION took care of HMS CYANE (which was not captured later on) and then captured the HMS LEVANT (which was captured shortly therafter. So, "Old Ironsides" was a very famous (and undefeated) ship in her time

How did she get her nickname "Old Ironsides"?
In 1812, the USS CONSTITUTION was fighting with the HMS GUERRIERE, the British ship mentioned earlier. Anyway, they still used slow guns back then. So, at some time in the battle, a soldier reported to have seen a British bullet/shot hit their baot's side, but bounced right off. After the battle was won in favor of America, the crew started celebrating and nicknamed the USS CONSTITUTION, "Old Ironsides". Pretty soon the name caught on as a joke to Americans and so the USS CONSTITUTION was named "Old Ironsides".

Why was she so imprtant during the War of 1812?
"Old Ironsides" played a major role in the War of 1812. She fended off the British and French naval vessels and capured/sunk many of them for the USA. She was undefeated in all of her battles at sea. And now she stands today in Boston, Massachusetts as a major historical monument of America's freedom and early stregnth.

Where and what is she doing today?
"Old Ironsides" is a very important and old part of American history. She was actually going to be torn down because she was so worn out, but a poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes, "Old Ironsides", saved her. She was then restored in 1925 and is now a museum. "Old Ironsides" is now docked in the Charleston Navy Yard, Boston, MA. Now "Old Ironsides" is the oldest usable boat in the US Navy.