The USS Constitution, nicknamed Old Ironsides, is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named by PresidentGeorge Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America, she is the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat. Launched in 1797, Constitution was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and the third constructed. Joshua Humphreys designed the frigates to be the young Navy's capital ships, and so Constitution and her sisters were larger and more heavily armed and built than standard frigates of the period.
The USS Constitution survived from before the Great Days and formed the flagship of the local navy. However, it was still referred to as a United States Navy ship and flew the 52 star Naval Ensign on its stern. Its nickname of Old Ironsides was a mystery since its hull was constructed from wood. The Constitution's home port was a pier on Breed's Island.[2] The last combat operation it served in was against Maine pirates twenty years earlier.[3]
While in Boston to receive the plutonium from HMS Seanymph, Leslie Groves saw the Constitution, still berthed in the Navy Yard. During his time at MIT, he'd toured the ship several times, and it always thrilled him to see her.[4]
1=denotes a character who was a POV for one volume or less
2=denotes a character who was a POV for two volumes
3=denotes a character who was a POV for three volumes
† Denotes a deceased POV.
