Editing USS Constitution (section)

==First Barbary War==
{{See also|First Barbary War}}

The United States paid [[tribute]] to the [[Barbary Coast|Barbary States]] during the Quasi-War to ensure that American merchant ships were not harassed and seized.<ref name="MaclaySmith215216">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, pp. 215–216.</ref> In 1801, [[Yusuf Karamanli]] of [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]] was dissatisfied that the United States was paying him less than they paid Algiers, and he demanded an immediate payment of $250,000 ({{Inflation|US|250000|1801|fmt=eq}}).<ref name="Allen058890">Allen (1905), pp. 88–90.</ref> In response, [[Thomas Jefferson]] sent a squadron of frigates to protect American merchant ships in the Mediterranean and to pursue peace with the Barbary States.<ref name="MaclaySmith228">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, p. 228.</ref><ref name="Allen0592">Allen (1905), p. 92.</ref>

[[File:Constitution1803.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A painting depicting Constitution at sail. The bow of the ship points to the right of the frame|''Constitution'' {{Circa|1803–04|lk=no}}]]

The first squadron under the command of [[Richard Dale]] in {{USS|President|1800|2}} was instructed to escort merchant ships through the Mediterranean and to negotiate with leaders of the Barbary States.<ref name="MaclaySmith228" /> A second squadron was assembled under the command of [[Richard Valentine Morris]] in {{USS|Chesapeake|1799|2}}. The performance of Morris's squadron was so poor, however, that he was recalled and subsequently dismissed from the Navy in 1803.<ref name="Toll173">Toll (2006), p. 173.</ref>

Captain [[Edward Preble]] ordered to take command of ''Constitution'' in a letter dated 14 May 1803<ref>{{cite book |url=https://ibiblio.org/anrs/docs/E/E3/nd_barbarywars_v02p03.pdf |title=Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Volume II Part 3 of 3 January 1802 through August 1803 |pages=405 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |via=Ibiblio |access-date=16 November 2024}}</ref> as his flagship and made preparations to command a new squadron for a third blockade attempt. The ship was recommissioned on 20 May.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://ibiblio.org/anrs/docs/E/E3/nd_barbarywars_v02p03.pdf |title=Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Volume II Part 3 of 3 January 1802 through August 1803 |pages=410 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |via=Ibiblio |access-date=16 November 2024}}</ref> The copper sheathing on her hull needed to be replaced and [[Paul Revere]] supplied the copper sheets necessary for the job that took 14 days, ending on 25 June.<ref name="Toll 176">Toll (2006), p. 176.</ref><ref name="Allen05-137">Allen (1905), p. 137.</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://ibiblio.org/anrs/docs/E/E3/nd_barbarywars_v02p03.pdf |title=Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Volume II Part 3 of 3 January 1802 through August 1803 |pages=462 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |via=Ibiblio |access-date=20 November 2024}}</ref> The ship departed Boston on 14 August, and it encountered an unknown ship in the darkness on 6 September, near the [[Rock of Gibraltar]]. ''Constitution'' went to general quarters, then ran alongside the unknown ship. Preble hailed her, only to receive a hail in return. He identified his ship as the United States frigate ''Constitution'' but received an evasive answer from the other ship. Preble replied: "I am now going to hail you for the last time. If a proper answer is not returned, I will fire a shot into you." The stranger returned, "If you give me a shot, I'll give you a broadside." Preble demanded that the other ship identify herself and the stranger replied, "This is His Britannic Majesty's ship ''Donegal'', 84 guns, Sir Richard Strachan, an English commodore." He then commanded Preble, "Send your boat on board." Preble was now devoid of all patience and exclaimed, "This is United States ship ''Constitution'', 44 guns, Edward Preble, an American commodore, who will be damned before he sends his boat on board of any vessel." And then to his gun crews: "Blow your matches, boys!"<ref group=Note>This was the instruction for the gun crews to blow on their slow matches to make them white hot for igniting a cannon. The modern-day equivalent might be "prepare to fire".</ref> Before the incident escalated further, however, a boat arrived from the other ship and a British lieutenant relayed his captain's apologies. The ship was in fact not ''Donegal'' but instead ''HMS Maidstone'', a 32-gun frigate. ''Constitution'' had come alongside her so quietly that ''Maidstone'' had delayed answering with the proper hail while it readied her guns.<ref name="Toll180">Toll (2006), p. 180.</ref> This act began the strong allegiance between Preble and the officers under his command, known as "Preble's boys", as he had shown that he was willing to defy a presumed ship of the line.<ref name="MaclaySmith241242">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, pp. 241–242.</ref><ref name="Allen05-142">Allen (1905), p. 142.</ref>

''Constitution'' arrived at Gibraltar on 12 September, where Preble waited for the other ships of the squadron. His first order of business was to arrange a treaty with [[Sultan]] [[Slimane of Morocco]], who was holding American ships hostage to ensure the return of two vessels that the Americans had captured. ''Constitution'' and {{USS|Nautilus|1799|2}} departed Gibraltar on 3 October and arrived at [[Tangier]] on the 4th. ''Adams'' and {{USS|New York|1800|2}} arrived the next day. With four American warships in his harbor, the Sultan was glad to arrange the transfer of ships between the two nations, and Preble departed with his squadron on 14 October, heading back to Gibraltar.<ref name="Toll183">Toll (2006), p. 183.</ref><ref name="MaclaySmith244">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, p. 244.</ref><ref name="Allen05-143145">Allen (1905), pp. 143–145.</ref>

===Battle of Tripoli Harbor===
[[File:Burning of the uss philadelphia.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A painting of a ship on fire. It floats in the water with flames reaching high over its masts|{{USS|Philadelphia|1799|2}} burning in Tripoli Harbor]]
{{Main|Second Battle of Tripoli Harbor}}

{{USS|Philadelphia|1799|2}} ran aground off Tripoli on 31 October under the command of [[William Bainbridge]] while pursuing a Tripoline vessel. The crew was taken prisoner; ''Philadelphia'' was refloated by the Tripolines and brought into their harbor.<ref name="Hollis8889">Hollis (1900), pp. 88–89.</ref><ref name="MaclaySmith248;250">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, pp. 248, 250.</ref> To deprive the Tripolines of their prize, Preble planned to destroy ''Philadelphia'' using the captured ship ''Mastico'', which was renamed {{USS|Intrepid|1798|2}}. ''Intrepid'' entered Tripoli Harbor on 16 February 1804 under the command of [[Stephen Decatur]], disguised as a merchant ship. Decatur's crew quickly overpowered the Tripoline crew and set ''Philadelphia'' ablaze.<ref name="Allen05-167172">Allen (1905), pp. 167–172.</ref><ref name="MaclaySmith264267">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, pp. 264–267.</ref>
[[File:Bombardment of Tripoli, 3 August 1804.tif|left|thumb|USS ''Constitution'' participating in the bombardment of [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]], 3 August 1804; painting by [[Michele Felice Cornè]] (1752–1845)]]
Preble withdrew the squadron to [[Syracuse, Sicily]], and began planning for a summer attack on Tripoli. He procured a number of smaller [[gunboat]]s that could move in closer to Tripoli than was feasible for ''Constitution'', given her deep draft.<ref name="Martin99">Martin (1997), p. 99.</ref> ''Constitution'', {{USS|Argus|1803|2}}, {{USS|Enterprise|1799|2}}, {{USS|Scourge|1804|2}}, {{USS|Syren|1803|2}}, the six gunboats, and two bomb ketches arrived the morning of 3 August and immediately began operations. Twenty-two Tripoline gunboats met them in the harbor; ''Constitution'' and her squadron severely damaged or destroyed the Tripoline gunboats in a series of attacks over the coming month, taking their crews prisoner. ''Constitution'' primarily provided gunfire support, bombarding the shore batteries of Tripoli—yet Karamanli remained firm in his demand for ransom and tribute, despite his losses.<ref name="Allen05-184197">Allen (1905), pp. 184–197.</ref><ref name="MaclaySmith272284">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, pp. 272–284.</ref>

Preble outfitted ''Intrepid'' as a "floating volcano" with {{convert|100|ST|MT|abbr=on}} of gunpowder aboard in a final attempt of the season. The ship was to sail into Tripoli harbor and blow up in the midst of the corsair fleet, close under the walls of the city. ''Intrepid'' made her way into the harbor on the evening of 3 September under the command of [[Richard Somers]], but it exploded prematurely, killing Somers and his entire crew of thirteen volunteers.<ref name="Hollis111112">Hollis (1900), pp. 111–112.</ref><ref name="Allen05-206209">Allen (1905), pp. 206–209.</ref>

''Constellation'' and ''President'' arrived at Tripoli on the 9th with [[Samuel Barron (1765–1810)|Samuel Barron]] in command; Preble relinquish his command of the squadron to Barron, who was senior in rank.<ref name="Allen05-199">Allen (1905), p. 199.</ref> On 11 September Barron ordered Capt. Stephen Decatur to relieve Preble as Captain so Preble could return to the US.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://ibiblio.org/anrs/docs/E/E3/nd_barbarywars_v05p01.pdf |title=Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Volume V Part 1 of 3 September 7 1804 through April 1805 |pages=15 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |via=Ibiblio |access-date=27 March 2025}}</ref> ''Constitution'' was ordered to Malta on the 11th for repairs as she was very leaky, and, while en route, on 12 September,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://ibiblio.org/anrs/docs/E/E3/nd_barbarywars_v05p01.pdf |title=Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Volume V Part 1 of 3 September 7 1804 through April 1805 |pages=17 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |via=Ibiblio |access-date=27 March 2025}}</ref> captured two Greek vessels attempting to deliver wheat into Tripoli.<ref name="Hollis115">Hollis (1900), p. 115.</ref> Also on the 12th, a collision with ''President'' severely damaged ''Constitution''{{'}}s bow, stern, and [[Figurehead (object)|figurehead]] of Hercules. The collision was attributed to an act of God in the form of a sudden change in wind direction.<ref name="Martin115116">Martin (1997), pp. 115–116.</ref><ref name="Toll250251">Toll (2006), pp. 250–251.</ref>

===Peace treaty===
On 24 September Captain Stephan Decatur was ordered by Prebble to sail to Malta and take command of Constitution.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://ibiblio.org/anrs/docs/E/E3/nd_barbarywars_v05p01.pdf |title=Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Volume V Part 1 of 3 September 7 1804 through April 1805 |pages=49 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |via=Ibiblio |access-date=27 March 2025}}</ref> Captain Decatur took command from Capt. Preble at Malta on 28 October and Capt. Preble took up quarters on shore.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://ibiblio.org/anrs/docs/E/E3/nd_barbarywars_v05p01.pdf |title=Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Volume V Part 1 of 3 September 7 1804 through April 1805 |pages=104 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |via=Ibiblio |access-date=10 April 2025}}</ref> Captain [[John Rodgers (naval officer, War of 1812)|John Rodgers]] assumed command of ''Constitution'' on 9 November 1804 while it underwent repairs and resupply in Malta. The ship resumed the blockade of Tripoli on 5 April 1805, capturing a Tripoline [[xebec]], along with two prizes that the xebec had captured.<ref name="Hollis117">Hollis (1900), p. 117.</ref> Meanwhile, Commodore Barron gave [[William Eaton (soldier)|William Eaton]] naval support to [[Battle of Derne|bombard Derne]], while a detachment of US Marines under the command of [[Presley O'Bannon]] was assembled to attack the city by land. They captured it on 27 April.<ref name="MacSmith300">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, p. 300.</ref> A peace treaty with Tripoli was signed aboard ''Constitution'' on 3 June, in which it embarked the crew members of ''Philadelphia'' and returned them to Syracuse.<ref name="Toll261262">Toll (2006), pp. 261–262.</ref> The ship was then dispatched to [[Tunis]] and arrived there on 30 July. Seventeen additional American warships had gathered in its harbor by 1 August: ''Congress'', ''Constellation'', ''Enterprise'', {{USS|Essex|1799|2}}, {{USS|Franklin|1795|2}}, {{USS|Hornet|1805 sloop|2}}, {{USS|John Adams|1799|2}}, ''Nautilus'', ''Syren'', and eight gunboats. Negotiations went on for several days until a short-term blockade of the harbor finally produced a peace treaty on 14 August.<ref name="Hollis118120">Hollis (1900), pp. 118–20.</ref><ref name="Allen05-268269">Allen (1905), pp. 268–69.</ref>

Rodgers remained in command of the squadron, sending warships back to the United States when they were no longer needed. Eventually, all that remained were ''Constitution'', ''Enterprise'', and ''Hornet''. They performed routine patrols and observed the French and Royal Navy operations of the [[Napoleonic Wars]].<ref name="Jennings168">Jennings (1966), p. 168.</ref> Rodgers turned over the command of the squadron and ''Constitution'' to Captain Hugh G. Campbell on 29 May 1806.<ref name="Hollis120">Hollis (1900), p. 120.</ref>

[[James Barron]] sailed ''Chesapeake'' out of Norfolk on 15 May 1807 to replace ''Constitution'' as the flagship of the Mediterranean squadron, but he encountered {{HMS|Leopard|1790|6}}, resulting in the [[Chesapeake–Leopard affair|''Chesapeake''–''Leopard'' affair]] and delaying the relief of ''Constitution''.<ref name="MacSmith305">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, p. 305.</ref> ''Constitution'' continued patrols, unaware of the delay. The ship arrived in late June at [[Livorno|Leghorn]], where it took aboard the disassembled [[Tripoli Monument]] for transport back to the United States. Campbell learned the fate of ''Chesapeake'' when he arrived at [[Málaga]], and he immediately began preparing ''Constitution'' and ''Hornet'' for possible war against Britain. The crew became mutinous upon learning of the delay in their relief and refused to sail any farther unless the destination was the United States. Campbell and his officers threatened to fire a cannon loaded with grapeshot at the crewmen if they did not comply, thereby putting an end to the conflict. Campbell and the squadron were ordered home on 18 August and set sail for Boston on 8 September, arriving there on 14 October. ''Constitution'' had been gone for more than four years.<ref name="Martin122126">Martin (1997), pp. 122–126.</ref><ref name="Allen05-272273">Allen (1905), pp. 272–273.</ref>