Battle of New Orleans.

Thursday, December 16, 2021

USS Constitution Continues Tradition; Names Gun 'Beat Army'-- Part 2: Naming the Cannons and How It Got It's Name

Early Navy sailors frequently named guns they served on, and while there are no available records for the original names of the Old Ironside's cannons, some of her current ones have been given names based on records of her sister ships:  USS Chesapeake and USS United States.

These names include Brother Jonathan, True Blue, Yankee Protection, Putnam, Raging Eagle, Viper, General Warren, Mad Anthony, America,  Washington, Liberty For Ever,  Defiance and Liberty or Death.

The USS Constitutions current cannons are all replicas produced in the 1920s.

The ship is open for visitation from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.  Just watch out for long lines.

It is also the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and played a critical role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812 and actively defended sea lanes from  1797 to 1855.

The Constitution was undefeated in action and destroyed or captured 33 opponents.

The ship earned the name Old Ironsides during the War of 1812 when British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship's wooden hull.

--Brock-Perry


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