A Tall Ship and a Star to Steer Her By…

In May of 1987, I was able to visit Baltimore. I went to see the Seattle Mariners play the Orioles at old War Memorial Stadium. I got to Baltimore very early, so I spent the early afternoon in the inner harbor visiting the USS Torsk (SS-423). Across the way a bit was this old sailing vessel, the USS Constellation.

I was able to get aboard her and take a tour. She was amazing even at the time undergoing something of a refit. I grew up sailing – my grandpa had taught me when I was very young – and I kept thinking to myself how much I would have loved to feel this ship roll gently under my feet as the wind pushed her out to the open sea…

The USS Constellation, commissioned in 1854, was a sloop-of-war in the United States Navy. It was the second ship to bear the name “Constellation” and had a long and illustrious history. Here’s an overview of its history:

The construction of USS Constellation began in 1853 at the Gosport Navy Yard in Norfolk, Virginia. It was designed by naval architect John Lenthall and was launched on August 26, 1854. The ship was a sloop-of-war, which was a relatively small, but heavily armed, warship with sails. It had a primary role in patrolling international waters, enforcing blockades, and engaging in naval combat when necessary.

After its commissioning, the USS Constellation was assigned to the African Slave Trade Patrol. Its mission was to help suppress the transatlantic slave trade by intercepting slave ships and apprehending those involved in the illegal trade of enslaved people.

During the American Civil War (1861-1865), the USS Constellation was stationed off the coast of Africa, protecting American merchant ships and pursuing Confederate raiders. It also served as a training ship for new naval recruits.

After the Civil War, the USS Constellation was decommissioned in 1869 and placed in reserve. It was reactivated in 1871 and underwent extensive repairs and modernization. The ship continued to serve as a training vessel and took part in various naval exercises and ceremonies.

In 1955, the USS Constellation was decommissioned for the last time and became a museum ship in Baltimore, Maryland. It is now part of the Historic Ships in Baltimore collection and is open to the public for tours.

In recent years, there has been some controversy surrounding the USS Constellation’s identity. Some historians and experts have questioned whether the ship currently on display in Baltimore is the original 1854 vessel or a later rebuild from the late 19th century. Despite this debate, it is still presented as the historic USS Constellation and continues to be a popular tourist attraction.

The USS Constellation holds significant historical importance as one of the last sail-only warships built by the United States Navy and for its service during the Civil War and in the campaign against the transatlantic slave trade.