Often overlooked in history classes, the War of 1812 played a pivotal role in reassuring the United State's sovereignty from English rule. Late on a calm, clear June night in 1812, as USS Constitution lay at anchor in the Potomac River off Alexandria, Virginia, one of her cutters rowed to her. Captain Isaac Hull (March 9, 1773 - February 13, 1843, later Commodore) commanded the USS Constitution before and during the War of 1812 between the U.S. and Great Britain. Shortly, after Christmas, 1812, Constitution was sailing in the Atlantic just off the coast of Brazil.On the morning of 29 December, sails were sighted on the horizon, and Constitution's new captain, William Bainbridge, altered course to investigate.The ship proved to be HMS Java, a frigate similar to Guerriere.Both frigates stood for each other and cleared their decks for action. Around 2 p.m. on the afternoon of August 19, 1812, a lookout aboard USS Constitution spied a sail against the cloudy southern horizon. The War of 1812 had just begun when the USS Constitution won a victory against a warship of the seemingly invincible Royal Navy. Old Ironsides sails again: The USS Constitution will go on a ten minute cruise outside Boston to mark the 200year anniversary of the War of 1812. USS Constitution and the War of 1812 ... USS Constitution. On 5 July 1812, a few weeks after the beginning of the War of 1812, the U.S. Frigate Constitution, commanded by Captain Isaac Hull, departed Annapolis, Maryland, with a new crew. Four chase guns … USS Constitution was one of the first six ships built for the new United States Navy in 1797. August 19, 1812 – USS Constitution defeats HMS Guerriere : After narrowly escaping from a British squadron in a heroic multi-day chase off the Atlantic Coast in July, the U.S. frigate Constitution defeats the British frigate Guerriere. COPYRIGHT 2019 • USS CONSTITUTION MUSEUM • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED She is most famous for her defeat in a three-hour single-ship action against the USS Constitution. Guerriere had been detached from a squadron which had earlier failed to capture Constitution and was proceeding to Halifax for a refit. Nicknamed “Old Ironsides” due to its success in the War of 1812, it is 222 years old and has a record of 33 victories. Black Sailors During the War of 1812 . USS CONSTITUTION – The War of 1812. The Sea Dog of “Old Ironsides” World War I and the Legacy of the War of 1812 . War of 1812 . The USS Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship still sailing the seas. One Mystery Leads to Another . The British sent the HMS Guerriere with a squadron of ships in the summer of 1812 to blockade U.S. shores. After having the frigate's bottom cleaned, he departed for a cruise in European waters. Constitution ’s naval victories helped prove America’s naval strength, but the war ultimately ended in a stalemate with the indigenous nations suffering the worst loses. During the War of 1812, Constitution ' s battery of guns typically consisted of 30 long 24-pounder (11 kg) cannons, with 15 on each side of the gun deck. Category: War of 1812. Returning in February 1812, Constitution was in the Chesapeake Bay four months later when news arrived that the War of 1812 … COPYRIGHT 2019 • USS CONSTITUTION MUSEUM • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED