Constellation (Ship)
Dates
- Existence: 1854-
Biographical / Historical
The Constellation spent much of the American Civil War as a deterrent to Confederate cruisers and commerce raiders in the Mediterranean Sea. After the Civil War, she saw various duties such as carrying exhibits to the 1878 Exposition Universelle in Paris and famine relief stores in the 1879 Irish famine. In 1894 she became a training ship for the Naval Training Center in Newport, RI. Decommissioned in 1933, she was recommissioned as a national symbol in 1940 by President Franklin Roosevelt, and spent much of World War II as relief flagship for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. She was moved to Baltimore in 1955, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1963, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. She is the last existing intact naval vessel from the American Civil War.
Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:
Jesse D. Elliott requests, 1835 Feb 08
Manuscript documents ordering two of the best chronometers belonging to the U.S. Government for the USS Constitution, Charleston Navy Yard.
Physical Drill with Arms, Exhibition Drill, 1932 May 19
Back of photo reads: Physical Drill with Arms - Exhibition Drill. USS Constellation in the background. US Naval Training Station, Newport, RI. 19 May 1932.
Ralph Dix drawings, 1898
Drawings and notes of a seaman apprentice concerning seamanship training at the Naval Training Station, Newport, RI, and aboard USS Constellation
Script for broadcast on the USS Constellation, 1947 Sep 7
Script for a broadcast delivered over WBZ Boston on 1947 September 7 as a special program in observance of the 150th anniversary of the USS Constallation. The presentation was broadcast from the deck of the Constellation in the Boston Harbor and included remarks from Admiral Spruance and Rear Admiral Morton L. Deyo on the history and significance of the Constellation.
Typed transcriptions of letters written while serving on the USS Constellation, 1890-1892
Correspondence, letters sent to his family describing his midshipman summer cruises aboard the Constellation, June 13, 1890-August 25, 1890, June 11, 1892-August 14, 1892. Copies
U.S. Naval Station (Newport, R.I.) records
Correspondence and subject files pertaining to administration, organization, mission, functions and buildings of the Naval Training Station and Naval Station, 1885–1974; Historical subject files of Coasters Harbor Island, Fort Adams, USS Constitution, USS Constellation, visits of Presidents Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Nixon, 150th Anniversary of landing of General Rochambeau, 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Rhode Island, hurricanes, fires, Public Works Department, Tercentenary of city of Newport, Naval Air Station, Naval Torpedo Station, Naval Operating Base, and Goat Island, 1885–1974; Command Histories, 1958–1974; War Diaries, 1941–1943; Publications including Our Naval Apprentice, Newport Recruit and Newport Navalog; Photographs and photograph albums of the Naval Base, Naval Station, recruit training and special events, 1890–1963; Picture book, log book, leave books, and organization and regulation books, 1885–1974.
USS Constellation at sea, probably 1932
Photograph of the USS Constellation at sea, probably in Newport Harbor.