The oldest warship in America was so tough, British cannonballs just bounced off “Old Ironsides”

The USS Constitution

On August 19, 1812, the USS Constitution met the HMS Guerriere in open water southeast of Halifax.

Captain Isaac Hull’s American frigate defeated the British ship in less than one hour of fighting. When British cannon balls bounced off Constitution’s thick hull, sailors shouted “her sides are made of iron,” earning the ship her famous nickname “Old Ironsides.”

Here’s the story of America’s first major naval victory in the War of 1812, preserved today at the USS Constitution Museum in Boston’s Charlestown Navy Yard.

The Two Captains Face Off

Captain Isaac Hull led USS Constitution. The 39-year-old from Connecticut joined the navy in 1798 and fought pirates off North Africa.

His opponent, Captain James Dacres of HMS Guerriere, was 34 years old. Dacres came from a family of naval officers, with his father serving as an admiral. The ships nearly fought in July 1812 near New York.

Constitution escaped from Guerriere and four other British ships after a 57-hour chase. Dacres felt sure his crew could win despite Constitution’s larger size.

The Ships Compared

USS Constitution carried 55 guns though officially rated for 44. Her main weapons were 30 heavy cannons on the gun deck and 22 shorter-range guns above.

HMS Guerriere carried 49 guns but was rated for only 38. Her main weapons fired lighter 18-pound shots compared to Constitution’s 24-pounders.

Constitution’s hull had three layers of oak planking. The inner structure used dense live oak from Georgia, creating a wooden wall 24 inches thick.

Guerriere was built in France before British capture in 1806, making her less sturdy than British-built ships.

The Battle Begins

Constitution spotted a sail at 2:00 PM on August 19. Captain Hull and his crew rushed to stations when lookouts recognized Guerriere. By 5:00 PM, Guerriere came within a mile.

Dacres raised British flags and fired first, but the shots fell short in the rough water. Hull’s crew asked to return fire. He refused, wanting to save ammunition until they got closer.

At 6:00 PM, Constitution pulled alongside Guerriere at just 25 yards. Hull gave the command and all guns fired at once.

Hull’s Strategic Maneuvers

Captain Hull told his gunners to aim at Guerriere’s hull and masts. He knew breaking her structure would win faster than killing crew members.

When Hull jumped on a box for a better view, his tight uniform pants split open. He kept commanding without concern for how he looked.

Hull moved Constitution to fire repeated shots into Guerriere’s weakening hull. His gun crews hit their targets despite the rough sea. After 15 minutes, Hull’s plan worked.

Constitution’s bigger guns caused major damage while taking little harm in return.

Birth of the "Old Ironsides" Nickname

British cannonballs hit Constitution’s thick oak hull throughout the battle. Many bounced off without going through.

During one exchange of fire, an American sailor watched British shots hit without effect and yelled, “Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!” Others nearby repeated his words. This moment created the nickname “Old Ironsides.”

The name spread through the crew and later appeared in newspapers. While some British shots did pierce Constitution’s hull, she proved much stronger than other wooden warships.

The Ships Become Entangled

Guerriere’s rear mast crashed over the side around 6:15 PM. The fallen timber dragged in the water, making the ship harder to steer.

As both ships moved close together, Guerriere’s front spar caught in Constitution’s rear rigging. The stuck ships began turning together in the wind.

Neither could break free without risking more damage. Both captains called for boarding parties. Sailors grabbed swords, pistols, and pikes, ready to fight hand-to-hand on the enemy deck.

Casualties of Close Combat

Lieutenant William Bush led Constitution’s Marines toward the railing. When he asked Hull if he should board Guerriere, a British bullet struck his face, killing him instantly.

Lieutenant Charles Morris tried to take Bush’s place. He fell wounded when a bullet hit him in the stomach.

Captain Dacres was shot in the back by American marksmen firing from Constitution’s rigging. Despite his wound, he kept leading his crew. The battle killed seven Americans and wounded seven more.

British losses were worse with thirteen dead and sixty-two wounded.

Guerriere’s Surrender

Guerriere’s front and middle masts both snapped at deck level around 6:30 PM. Without sails, the ship drifted helplessly in the waves.

At 7:00 PM, Dacres ordered a single gun fired from the sheltered side of his ship—the signal of surrender. Hull sent an officer in a small boat to confirm.

The American called across the water asking if Guerriere had given up. Dacres answered with humor: “Well, I don’t know. Our masts are gone—and you may say we have struck our flag.”

Scuttling the Guerriere

Through the night, American sailors moved wounded British sailors to Constitution. Surgeons from both ships worked together treating injuries.

By morning on August 20, Guerriere had four feet of water in her hold despite constant pumping. The damage was too severe to fix at sea. Hull faced a hard choice.

Taking Guerriere as a prize would slow his return to port and risk meeting other British ships. That afternoon, Hull ordered Guerriere emptied and set on fire.

The flames reached her gunpowder, causing a huge blast that scattered the ship’s remains.

Impact on American Morale

Constitution reached Boston on August 30. News of her win had spread, and thousands of cheering people lined the waterfront.

A local militia escorted Captain Hull to a reception honoring his success. The celebration lasted for days with dinners, speeches, and awards. The victory provided much-needed hope after American losses on land.

Early defeats along the Canadian border had weakened support for the war. Congress gave Hull a gold medal and his officers silver medals.

Common sailors each received $50 in prize money—about two months’ pay.

Visiting USS Constitution Museum

USS Constitution stays at Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. The ship opens Tuesday through Sunday. All visits are free.

Navy sailors often lead 30-minute tours showing where the famous battle happened. You can see the gun deck where cannons fired at HMS Guerriere and touch the thick oak hull that earned the “Old Ironsides” nickname.

The USS Constitution Museum next door displays items from the battle including cannonballs, weapons, and crew belongings. A special exhibit shows how Constitution defeated Guerriere through interactive maps.

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