U.S.S. Constitution Leaving New York Harbor

U.S.S. Constitution Leaving New York Harbor. A framed painting by Thomas Birch (1779-1851) showing the USS "Constitution" in port-bow view leaving New York Harbor. The buildings of lower Manhattan are carefully detailed on the right, including Castle Clinton (Southwest Battery), a dockyard, and the Trinity Church spire at far right. Six figures in a small rowing boat headed for Manhattan are seen observing the departing ship.

USS Constitution is a three-masted frigate of the United States Navy and the world's oldest floating commissioned naval vessel. Launched in 1797, Constitution was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. Built in Boston, Massachusetts at Edmund Hartt's shipyard, her first duties with the newly formed United States Navy were to provide protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and to defeat the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. Constitution is most famous for her actions during the War of 1812 against Great Britain. The battle with Guerriere earned her the nickname of "Old Ironsides."