Editing USS Constitution (section)

===Mediterranean Squadron===
Charlestown Navy Yard's commandant Isaac Hull directed a refitting of ''Constitution'' to prepare her for duty with the [[Mediterranean Squadron (United States)|Mediterranean Squadron]] in April 1820. They removed Joshua Humphreys' diagonal riders to make room for two iron freshwater tanks, and they replaced the copper sheathing and timbers below the waterline.<ref>Martin (1997), p. 210.</ref> At the direction of Secretary of the Navy [[Smith Thompson]], it was also subjected to an unusual experiment in which manually operated paddle wheels were fitted to her hull. The paddle wheels were designed to propel her at up to {{convert|3|kn|km/h mph}} if it was ever becalmed, by the crew using the ship's [[Capstan (nautical)|capstan]].<ref>Martin (1997), pp. 211–212.</ref> Initial testing was successful, but Hull and ''Constitution''{{'}}s commanding officer [[Jacob Jones (naval officer)|Jacob Jones]] were reportedly unimpressed with paddle wheels on a US Navy ship. Jones had them removed and stowed in the cargo hold before he departed on 13 May 1821 for a three-year tour of duty in the Mediterranean.<ref name="Hill175" /> On 12 April 1823, it collided with the British merchant ship ''Bicton'' in the Mediterranean Sea, and ''Bicton'' sank with the loss of her captain.<ref name=MC210523>{{Cite news |title=Ship News |newspaper=The Morning Chronicle |date=21 May 1823 |issue=16875 }}</ref>

''Constitution'' otherwise experienced an uneventful tour, sailing in company with {{USS|Ontario|1813|2}} and {{USS|Nonsuch|1813|2}}, until crew behavior during shore leave gave Jones a reputation as a commodore who was lax in discipline. The Navy grew weary of receiving complaints about the crews' antics while in port and ordered Jones to return. ''Constitution'' arrived in Boston on 31 May 1824, and Jones was relieved of command.<ref>Martin (1997), pp. 214, 219–220.</ref> [[Thomas Macdonough]] took command and sailed on 29 October for the Mediterranean under the direction of John Rodgers in {{USS|North Carolina|1820|2}}. With discipline restored, ''Constitution'' resumed uneventful duty. Macdonough resigned his command for health reasons on 9 October 1825.<ref>Jennings (1966), p. 249.</ref> ''Constitution'' put in for repairs during December and into January 1826, until [[Daniel Todd Patterson]] assumed command on 21 February. By August, it had been put into Port Mahon, suffering decay of her spar deck, and it remained there until temporary repairs were completed in March 1827. ''Constitution'' returned to Boston on 4 July 1828 and was placed in reserve.<ref>Hill (1905), p. 176.</ref><ref name="Hollis217">Hollis (1900), p. 217.</ref>