During the 1790s American merchant shipping began to be harassed by France and by pirates from the Barbary Coast area, most notably Algiers. This had not been a problem when America was under the protection of the British Empire, but after the War of Independence many foreign powers felt they could harass American merchant ships with impunity. Indeed, once the French Revolution started, Britain also started interdicting American merchant ships. In addition to this, eleven ships were seized by pirates during the 1790s, and there was nothing the fledgling American government could do about it. With this as the backdrop, America began thinking about constructing a force to defend her merchant marine.
The Act provided for the construction of four ships to carry forty guns each, and two ships to carry thirty-six guns each?by purchase or otherwise. In March 1796, as construction of the frigates slowly progressed, a peace accord was announced between the United States and the Dey of Algiers. In accordance with clause nine of the Naval Act of 1794, a clause that specifically directed that construction of the frigates be discontinued if peace was established, construction on all six ships was halted. After heated debate, Congress agreed to continue to fund the construction of the three ships closest to completion. Construction of the remaining three unfinished ships was resumed when a naval war with France seemed certain.
The frigates
The six ships authorized were designed by Joshua Humphreys and each were constructed in different shipyards. There were two designs, one for a 44 gun frigate that would become the , , and . The second of the two designs were 38 gun frigates , , and . Both designs were controversial for their time being long on keel, narrow of beam, and mounting very heavy guns. Again they were unusual in that they used a diagonal scantling (rib) scheme that was intended to restrict hogging (sagging of the ship at the ends from the middle) while giving them extremely heavy planking. This gave the hulls a strength that other more lightly built frigates simply could not match. This was done as Humphreys realized that the underpopulated United States could not begin to match the European states in the size of their navies. This being so, these frigates were designed to overpower other frigates and be able to run away from ships of the line.
USS United States
was built in Philadelphia, launched on 10 May1796, and commissioned on 22 February1797. On 25 October1812, United States fought and captured the frigate , the first enemy ship brought to the United States of America as a prize. United States was decommissioned on 24 February1849 and placed in ordinary at Norfolk. In 1861 while in ordinary at Norfolk, the ship was seized and commissioned into the Confederate States Navy, who later scuttled the ship. In 1862 Union forces raised the scuttled ship and retained control until she was broken up in 1865.
USS Constellation
was built in Baltimore, launched on 7 September1797. On 9 February1799, Constellation fought and captured the French frigate L'Insurgente. This was the first major victory by an American-designed and -built warship. In February 1800, Constellation fought the French frigate La Vengeance. Although the frigate was not captured or sunk, La Vengeance was so badly damaged that her captain intentionally grounded the ship to prevent it from sinking. Constellation was struck in 1853 and broken up. Some timbers were re-used in the building of a new and caused a discrepancy on which ship was preserved in Baltimore until 1999 when the preserved vessel was proved to be the second Constellation.
USS Constitution under sail for the first time in 116 years on July 211997.
was built in Boston, launched on 10 October1797, and commissioned 11 days later on 21 October. On 19 August1812, Constitution fought, captured, and burned the frigate . On 29 December1812, Constitution fought, captured, and burned the frigate . On 20 February1815, Constitution fought and captured the small frigate HMS Cyane and the ship-riggedsloopHMS Levant. In 1830Constitution was found unfit for naval service and it was recommended that she be scrapped. Public outcry led to Congress passing an appropriation for reconstruction, and in 1835Constitution was placed back in commission. Decommissioned in 1882, to become a receiving ship in Portsmouth. Constitution was recommissioned on 1 July1931 and has been in commission to the present day. A 44-month refit and overhaul was undertaken in 1992?1995 which returned the ship to fully sailable condition. On 21 July1997, she set sail for the first time in 116 years and sailed unassisted with modern naval combatant escorts.
USS Chesapeake
was built at the Gosport Navy Yard, launched on 2 December1799. The Chesapeake was the only one of the six frigates to be disowned by Joshua Humphreys because of liberties taken by her Master Constructor Josiah Fox during construction relating to overall dimensions. On 22 June1807, what has become known as the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair occurred when the Chesapeake was fired upon by for refusing to comply with a search for deserters from the Royal Navy. After several quick broadsides to which the Chesapeake replied with only one gun, the Chesapeake struck her colors. HMS Leopard refused the surrender, searched the Chesapeake, captured four deserters and sailed to Halifax. Chesapeake was captured on 1 June1813 by shortly after sailing from Boston. Taken into Royal Navy service, she was sold and broken up at Portsmouth, England in 1820.
USS Congress
was built at Portsmouth, launched on 15 August1799. In 1824 she was placed in ordinary at Norfolk, and in 1829 became a receiving ship there. In 1834Congress was found unfit for naval service and ordered broken up.
USS President
was built in New York City, launched on 10 April1800. On 16 May1811, what has become known as the Little Belt Affair occurred when the President mistook HMS Little Belt for the frigate and engaged in a naval battle. HMS Little Belt was almost destroyed before the action stopped. On 23 September1813, President captured the schooner . President was captured on 15 January1815 by a Royal Navy squadron one day out of New York. Commissioned as , she was broken up at Portsmouth, England in 1818.
Historical facts
The only surviving ship among the Original Six is Constitution, which is still in commission and is the oldest commissioned ship in the world that remains afloat.
Constitution is one of only four presently commissioned ships in the U.S. Navy known to have sunk an enemy vessel with her shipboard weaponry (as opposed to aircraft). The others are , , and .
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