Some More on the USS Constellation

The 1797 USS Constellation was one of the six original frigates authorized by Congress. It was the first to put to sea, engage, defeat, and capture an enemy vessel. A fine beginning for the US Navy under the Constitution.

In 1853, it was broken up for scrap in the Gosport (Norfolk) Navy Yard in Virginia. The second USS Constellation was started at the same time, which has led to the confusion as to whether Baltimore's current ship is the 1797 or 1853 Constellation.

There is the possibility that the 1853 one was built out of material from the 1797 one. Perhaps all that was done was to rebuild the original.

Who's to Know, Who's to Know? --Cooter