The first Constellation , a frigate authorized by congressional enactment of 27 March 1794, was the design of naval constructors, J. Humphreys and J. Fox whose plans were altered in the execution by builder, D. Stodder, and supervisor of construction, Captain T. Truxtun. She was built at the Sterrett Shipyard, Baltimore, Md., and was launched on 7 September 1797, the second of the United States frigates to go down the ways.
Constellation 's first cruise, from June through August 1798, in which she convoyed merchant ships to sea showed admirable qualities, including a sailing speed which could win her the nickname "Yankee Race Horse," and ensure an outstanding career of service. Constellation figured actively in five wars. Her actions which closely parallel the course of American national involvement began with glorious achievement in the undeclared naval war against France. Here, as a unit of the newly reborn U.S. Navy, Constellation helped establish traditions of discipline and organization & dash; the firm basis upon which United States naval power has grown to preeminence.
Under the command of Captain T. Truxtun, she departed for the Caribbean in December 1798 to join the West India Squadron in protection of American commerce. On 9 February 1799 she received her baptism of blood,. against the French 40 gun frigate L'Insurgent, Captain Michel Pierre Barreant commanding. The French frigate had recently encountered severe winds and subsquently lost her main topmast. The Constellation sailed alongside the French frigate, the French apparently being unaware that hostilities had started with the U. S., and fired a broadside. The action between the two frigates lasted one hour and fifteen minutes and with the French ship being severely damaged she struck her colors.
In succeeding months, she also encountered and seized two French privateers, Diligent and Union.
After a brief voyage without incident under Captain S. Barron, Constellation, commanded again by Truxtun, sailed in December 1799 for the West India patrol. On the evening of 1 February 1800 she sighted the 52-gun frigate Vengeance and engaged her in a lengthy, furious battle. Although Vengeance twice struck her colors and was close to sinking, she was able to utilize the cover of darkness to escape from Constellation who, disabled by the loss of her mainmast, was unable to pursue. More success came to her in May 1800 with the recapture of three American merchantmen from French possession.
At the end of the Franco-American dispute, Constellation sailed back to home waters. Anchoring in Delaware Bay on 10 April 1801, the ship was caught in winds and an ebb tide which laid her over on her beam ends to ground, thereby occasioning need for extensive repair and refitting.
National interest next called her to serve in the Mediterranean Squadron which sought to eliminate depredations being inflicted by the Barbary pirates. Sailing with the squadron of Commodore R. Morris, and later, with that of Commodores S. Barron and J. Rodgers, Constellation acted in the blockade of Tripoli in May 1802; cruised widely throughout the Mediterranean in 1804 in demonstration of United States seapower; evacuated in June 1805 a contingent of Marines, as well as diplomatic personages, from Derne at the conclusion of a remarkable fleet-shore operation against Tripoli; and took part in a squadron movement against Tunis which culminated in peace terms in August 1805. Constellation returned to the States in November 1805, mooring at Washington where she later was placed in ordinary until 1812.
Constellation underwent an extensive repair in the Washington Navy Yard in 1812-13 which added 14" to her beam. With the advent of our second war with England, Constellation , now commanded by Captain C. Stewart, was dispatched to the Hampton Roads area. In January 1813 shortly after her arrival she was effectively blockaded by an imposing British fleet. Turning frustration into success, she took station between the enemy and the fortification at Craney Island and acted as a buffer thwarting every British attempt to destroy the fort or to capture the ship.
The Treaty of Ghent ending the War of 1812 was followed closely by the renewal of naval action against the Barbary powers who had enriched themselves considerably during our struggle with England. Constellation , attached to the Mediterranean Squadron under Commodore S. Decatur, sailed from New York on 20 May 1815 and joined in the capture of the Algerian frigate, Mashuda, on 17 June 1815. With this demonstration of United States naval prowess, Decatur was enabled to exact treaties of peace from Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli. Constellation was called upon to remain with the squadron under Commodores W. Bainbridge, I. Chauncey, and J. Shaw to enforce the agreements, returning to Hampton Roads only in December 1817.
With but brief periods of repair in 1828-29, 1832, 1834-35, and 1838-39, Constellation 's career in the interval between this action against the pirates and the outbreak of the Civil War proved varied and colorful. From 12 November 1819 to 24 April 1820 she served as flagship of Commodore C. Morris on the Brazil Station patrolling to protect American commerce against privateers and to negotiate favorable trade agreements with the South American nations.
On 25 July 1820, she sailed for the first time to Pacific waters where she was attached to the Squadron of Commodore C. Stewart and remained for 2 years patrolling in defense of our trading ships off the coast of Peru, an area whose disquiet erupted into revolt against Spain. In 1827 Constellation acted briefly as flagship for the West India Squadron on a twofold mission involving the eradication of the last of the pirates and the interception of slavers operating in the area. In August 1829 she cruised to the Mediterranean to exercise vigilant watch over American trade and to collect indemnities owing from previous losses suffered by United States merchantmen. While en route to her station, she carried the American ministers to France and England to their posts of duty. Returning to the United States in November 1831, she underwent minor repair and departed again for her Mediterranean station in April 1832 where she remained until an outbreak of cholera forced her home in November 1834.
In October 1835 the frigate sailed for the Gulf of Mexico to assist in crushing the Seminole uprising. She landed shore parties to relieve the Army garrisons and sent her boats on amphibious expeditions. Mission accomplished, she then cruised with the West India Squadron until 1838 serving part of this period in the capacity of flagship for Commodore A. Dallas.
The decade of the 1840's saw Constellation circumnavigate the globe. As flagship of Captain Kearny and the East India Squadron, her mission, as assigned in March 1841, was to safeguard American lives and property against loss in the Opium War, and further, to enable negotiation of commercial treaties. En route to home in May 1843 she entered the Hawaiian Islands in time to express American disapproval of the impending British annexation of the islands, and thereafter she sailed homeward making calls at South American ports.
Laid up in ordinary at Norfolk from 1845 through 1853, she was found to be greatly in need of extensive repair.
it was deemed that further renovation was not economically effective, and the frigate Constellation was decommissioned and broken up at the Gosport Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Virginia. Those timbers &c. found to be salvageable were used to build a new Sloop of War, USS Constellation, now moored in Baltimore Maryland's inner harbour.
On the 30th ult. I left St. Christopher's with the Constellation in excellent trim, and stood to windward, in order to gain the station for myself before the Road of Guadaloupe; and at half past seven A.M. of the day following I discovered a sail to the S.E. to which I gave chase; and for the further particulars of that chase, and for the action after it, I must beg to refer to the extracts from my Journal herewith, as being the best mode of exhibiting a just and candid account of all our transactions in the late business, which has ended in the almost entire dismantlement of the Constellation; though, I trust, to the high reputation of the American flag
-I have the honour to be, &c.
Thomas Truxtun
Occurrences on board the United States Ship Constellation, of 38 Guns, under my Command
1 February
Throughout these twenty-four hours, very unsettled weather: kept on our tacks, beating up under Guadaloupe; and at half past seven A.M. the road of Basseterre bearing E. five leagues distance saw a sail in the S.E. standing to the S.W. which from her situation I at first took for a large ship from Martinique, and hoisted English colours on giving chase, by way of inducement for her to come down and speak me, which would have saved us a long chase to leeward off my intended cruising ground; but finding she did not alter her course, I examined her more minutely as we approached her, and discovered that she was a heavy French frigate, mounting at least 54 guns. (The French frigate Vengeance) I immediately gave orders for the yards, &c. to be slung with chains, top sail sheets, &c. stoppered, and the ship cleared, and every thing prepared for action, and hauled down the English colours. At noon the wind became light, and I observed the chase, that we had before been gaining fast on, held way with us; but I was determined to continue the pursuit, though the running to leeward I was convinced would be attended with many serious disadvantages, especially if the objects of my wishes were not gratified.
Passed two schooners standing to the northward: one of them shewed American colours, and was a merchant vessel, and the other I supposed to be of the same description.
2 February
At one P.M. the wind being somewhat fresher than at the noon preceding, and appearance of its continuance, our prospect of bringing the enemy to action began again to brighten, as I perceived we were coming up with the chase fast, and every inch of canvass being set that could be of service, except the bog reefs, which I kept in the top sails, in case the chase finding an escape from our thunder impracticable, should haul on a wind and give us fair battle; but this did not prove to be her commander's intention.
I however got within hail of him at eight P.M. hoisted our ensign, and had the candles in the battle lanthorns all lighted, and the large trumpet in the lee gangway ready to speak him, and to demand the surrender of his ship to the United States of America; but he at that instant commenced a fire from his stern and quarter guns, directed at our rigging and spars.
No parley then being necessary, I sent my principal Aid-de Camp M. Vandyke, to the different officers commanding divisions on the main battery to repeat strictly my orders, before given, not to throw away a single charge of powder, but to take good aim, and fire directly into the hull of the enemy; and load principally with two round shot and now and then with a round shot, and a stand of grape, &c. to encourage the men at their quarters; to cause or suffer no noise or confusion whatever; but to load and fire as fast as possible when it could be done with certain effect. These orders being given, in a few moments I gained a position on his weather quarter, that enabled us to return effectually his salute, and thus a close and as sharp an action as ever was fought between two frigates commenced and continued until within a few minutes of one A.M. when the enemy's fire was completely silenced, and he was again sheering off.
It was at this moment that I considered him as my prize, and was trimming in the best manner I could, my much shattered sails; when I found my main mast was totally unsupported by rigging, every shroud being shot away, and some of them in several places, that even stoppers were useless, and could not be supplied with effect. I then gave orders to the officers to send the men up from the gun deck, to endeavour to secure it, in order that we might go alongside of the enemy again as soon as possible; but every effort was in vain, for the mainmast went over the side in a few minutes after, and was carried with it the top-men, among whom was an amiable young gentleman, who commanded the main-top, Mr. James Jervis, son of James Jervis, Esq. of New York. It seems this young gentleman was apprised of the mast going, in a few minutes, by an old seaman; but he had already so much of the principle of an officer ingrafted on his mind, not to leave his quarters on any account, that, he told the man if the mast went they must go with it, which was the case, and only one of them was saved.
I regret much his loss, as a promising young officer, and amiable young man, as well as on account of a long intimacy that has subsisted between his farther and myself; but have great satisfaction in finding that I have lost no other, and only two or three slightly wounded, out of 39 killed and wounded: 14 of the former, and 25 of the latter.
As soon as the main-mast went, every effort was made to clear the wreck from the ship as soon as possible, which was effected in about an hour. It being impossible to pursue the enemy, and as her security was then the great object, I immediately bore away for Jamacia, for repairs, &c. finding it impossible to reach a friendly port in any of the islands to windward.
I should be wanting in common justice, was I to omit to journalize the steady attention to order, and the great exertion and bravery of all my officers, seamen and marines, in this action, amny of whom I had sufficiently tried before on a similar occasion, and all their names are recorded in the muster-roll I sent to the Secretary of the Navy, dated the 19th of December last, signed by myself.
All hands are employed in repairing the damage sustained in the action, so far as to get the ship into Jamaica as soon as possible.
Thomas Truxton
27 June 1798 Gentlemen, the watch lists being subdivided in the mode I prescribed, you are to observe that when all hands are
employed otherwise than at Quarters, the division of work
should be made under the various officers of each watch according to the nature of the work; as for instance, when at the rigging the Master will direct the Boatswain to employ his first mate in performing what is to be done at the foremast, and bowsprit, and his second mate, the main, and mizen mast, and these take in every thing that is wanting to be done or repaired, from the top-gallant mast's heads down, as well as the jib boom, gaff and what relates to the cables, sails, anchors, boats etc., etc., etc., etc.
In cleaning the ships, and performing the various work below, the Boatswain's mates, under direction of the midshipmen, and Master's mates, are to have that business performed; the carpenter, and his crew, is to have everything in order respecting the pumps, and what relates to his duty in stopping leaks, and preserving the hull etc., etc., etc.
The gunner, and his crew are to see the guns kept dry, well puttied, and everything belonging to the cannon, or connected with the cannon, in good order, and in readiness at a moments' warning.
The Purser, Steward, and Cooper's duty has been so clearly defined, as well as the other officers, that it is unnecessary to mention it here.
Whenever a sail is in sight, I must be immediately informed, night or day, a good look-out must always be kept, and in daylight a man at each masthead. The printed, and other instructions, if attended to, must make everything appear plain and clear.
The general superintendence of the duty is by the commissioned officers; the lieutenants are particularly answerable for what relates to the guns in their respective divisions.
The Master and Boatswain the rigging etc.-the people as well as officers must repair to their stations, whenever all hands or the watch is called, and they are not to leave their post under any pretence whatever without leave.
We have an infant navy to foster, and to organize, and it must be done.
Strength of the U.S. Frigate "Constellation", and the French Frigate "La Vengeance"
The following is an accurate statement of the force of the U. States frigate Constellation of 38 guns, and that of La Vengeance French National ship of war, of 54 guns.
Constellation
Mounts on Gun Deck, 28 eighteen pounders, the whole discharge is:---------------252 pds
Mounts on Upper or Spar Deck, 10 carronades of 24 lb. the whole discharge is---240 pds
total discharge of one round, is-------------------------------------------------------------492 pds
Vengeance
Mounts on Gun Deck, 32 French eighteen pounders------------------------------288 pds
Mounts on her Upper Deck, 14 French 12 pounders------------------------------168 pds
Mounts on her Upper Deck also, 8 carronades of 36 lb---------------------------144 pds
total discharge of one round, is--------------------------------------------------------600 pds
Balance against the Constellation----------------------------------------------108pds
Men
Officers and Crew of the Constellation-------------------------------- 320
Officers and crew of La Vengeance 500, Troops and Passengers 60---560
Balance against the Constellation--------------------------------------- 240
The crew of La Vengeance was seventy-seven men below full strength [Account of Captain F.M. Pitot, commanding the French Frigate La Vengeance during her engagement with U.S. Frigate Constellation. Ministry of Marine, via American Embassy, Paris, France.]
Mr. Howe, who is sensible and intelligent, informs us, that the Vengeance mounted on her gun deck 32 long 18's, including 2 that were used as stern chasers - on her quarter 12 36 pound brass carronade, with 4 long 12's - and on her forecastle 6 long 12's - That she had on board 400 men, including 80 passengers, who all assisted during the engagement; . . .
[Account of James Howe, an American on board the French frigate La Vengeance during her action with the U.S. frigate Constellation. Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, 28 April 1800.]