Constellation History

In 1894 Constellation underwent conversion to a stationary training ship. Arriving under tow at Newport on May 22, 1894, she remained a permanently moored vessel, with the exception of two excursions and occasional trips to the repair yard.

In June 1904 Constellation was dry-docked at the New York Navy Yard for extensive survey and repair. She was retained for her historic value, and for conducting drills on her spars, rigging and sails. When the Navy ended training in sail handling in July 1920, Constellation remained in Newport seeing decreased activity over the next twenty years.

Training in Newport, circa 1915

Constellation in Baltimore, Sept. 1914

In recognition of the one-hundredth anniversary of the writing of the song that became our national anthem, the National Star Spangled Banner Centennial commission requested that the Constellation be on hand to participate.

By this time it was generally believed that the vessel was the frigate launched in Baltimore in 1797. Acting Navy Secretary Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the vessel restored "as she appeared in 1814," but to minimize costs, "include only such general details as would be noticed by the layman." With guns fabricated at the Boston Navy Yard, dummy sails stuffed with straw and other cosmetic alterations, such as removal of the 1880's-era bridge platform and 1890's deck housing, Constellation was ready.

Towed to Baltimore harbor, Constellation was on display from September 7 (anniversary of the frigate namesake's launching) until October 29, 1914. She was then towed to Washington, DC where she was on display from October 31 to December 4. After stopping in Norfolk for repairs in December, she returned to training duty at Newport.

The ship's official name was changed to Old Constellation during World War I to prevent confusion in having two ships with the same name. In keeping with naval tradition of naming new ships after famous predecessors, a new battle cruiser under construction in 1917 was christened Constellation. The sloop reverted to her original name on July 24, 1925 when the cruiser was scrapped under provisions of the Washington Naval Treaty.

Constellation made her last public appearance as a commissioned vessel to help commemorate the 150th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1926. On May 15 she was towed to Philadelphia, and moored with the protected cruiser USS Olympia, Admiral Dewey's flagship at the 1898 battle of Manila Bay. After a short period in dry-dock in Philadelphia, she was towed back to Newport in November.

Constellation in Philadelphia, 1926