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USS Constellation Limited 37" Description
Total Dimensions: 37" L x 12" W x 28" HSOLD FULLY ASSEMBLED
Ready for Immediate Display - Not a Model Ship kit
Finely-crafted details and museum-quality features define these Limited Edition scale replica tall ship models of the USS Constellation. Devoted attention to historical accuracy ensures that every detail on the USS Constellation matches the US Navy fighting tall ship as she still rests today in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. As the centerpiece of a den, office or meeting room, or perhaps setting a patriotic nautical tone for a family living room or corporate boardroom, this Limited Edition tall model ship is certain to inspire with her indomitable spirit and patriotic history.
37" Long x 12" Wide x 28" High (1:100 scale)
•Built from scratch over hundreds of hours by master artisans
•High quality woods include cherry, birch, maple and rosewood
•Individual wooden planks used in hull construction
•Meticulous painting accurately matches the real USS Constellation
•Museum Quality features not available in other tall ship models under $3,000 or any kit
◦Real copper-strip plated hull (not painted on) like the actual USS Constitution (done to prevent shipworms from destroying the wood hull)
◦Handcrafted rosewood eagle on the stern
◦Accurate beakhead design and scrollwork
◦Increased detail of deck features, cannon carriages, painting and other features
•Extensive rigging features over 200 blocks and deadeyes
•Metal anchors weigh aside the bow
•Cannon carriages tied-down to deck to reduce recoil
•Other Amazing Details, including:
◦Planked deck with nail holes
◦Authentic scale lifeboats
◦Rudder chains, cannonball racks
◦Handcrafted rosewood eagle on the stern
◦Solid brass cannons and metal anchors
◦Additional deck details such as cannon balls, barrels, etc.
◦Masterfully stitched, heavy canvas sails hold shape and do not wrinkle
◦Taut rigging with varied thread gauge and color
•Limited production run only 25 of this tall ship model
•Certificate of Authenticity individually numbered and signed by HMS Founder and Master Builder Richard Norris
•Wooden display base features four arched dolphins
◦Pictured with marble base (available for purchase)
•Extensive research of original plans, historical drawings and paintings as well as actual photographs ensures the highest possible accuracy
USS Constellation Limited 37" HistoryUSS Constellation was a 38-gun frigate, one of the six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. She was distinguished as the first U.S. Navy vessel to put to sea and the first U.S. Navy vessel to engage, defeat, and capture an enemy vessel. Constructed in 1797, she was decommissioned in 1853.
Construction
On March 27, 1794, the United States Congress passed the Naval Act of 1794, which provided for building the US Navy its first new ships: the frigates Chesapeake, Congress, Constellation, Constitution, President, and United States. Constellation was the first to be commissioned.
Constellation was built at Harris Creek Shipyard in Baltimore's Fells Point by Joshua Humphreys and launched on September 7, 1797, just as the United States entered the Quasi-War with France.
Design
Joshua Humphreys was a Quaker apprenticed to ship builder John Warton and assumed his shipyard upon Warton's death in 1771. He had risen to become Philadelphia's premier shipbuilder and his shipyard was one of the busiest in Philadelphia at that time. He was appointed Master Constructor of the United States charged with the construction of 6 frigates. There were two designs one for a 44 gun frigate that would become the USS Constitution, USS President, and USS United States. The second of the two designs were 38 gun frigates USS Congress, USS Chesapeake, and USS Constellation. Both designs were controversial for their time being long on keel and narrow of beam and mounting very heavy guns. Again they were unusual in that they used a diagonal scantling (rib) scheme that was intended to restrict hogging (sagging of the ship at the ends from the middle) while giving them extremely heavy planking. This gave the hulls a strength that other more lightly built frigates simply couldn't match. This was done as Humphreys realized that the under populated United States could not begin to match the European states in the size of their navies. This being so, these Frigates were designed to over power other frigates and be able to run away from ships of the line. In as such they were the pocket battleship of their day.
Engagements
USS Constellation vs. L'insurgente
On February 9, 1799, under the command of Captain Thomas Truxtun, Constellation fought and captured the frigate L'Insurgente of 36 guns, the fastest ship in the French Navy. The battle started about 18 miles NE of the island of Nevis about midday when USS Constellation spotted L'Insurgente who cracked on studsails and attempted to run. L'Insurgente had recently captured USS Retaliation a schooner in November of 1796 and three weeks previous had been chased by the USS Constitution and had escaped. L’Insurgente’s job was that of commerce raiding; she wanted nothing to do with another warship and tried to flee Constellation. Within an hour of hauling in chase Truxtun was close enough to make private signals to identify if the ship he was pursuing was British or not. With no answer, he proceeded to chase L'Insurgente down, clearing for action and beating to quarters. Truxtun made private signals for the US Navy and again received no answer. Constellation crowded on all sail despite a rising squall that threatened to tear a sail or throw a spar. Reefing sail just long enough to weather the short squall, Constellation hardly paused but the same was not to be for L'Insurgente as her topmast snapped and slowed her to the onrushing Constellation. Captain Barreaut ordered L'Insurgente to lay up and prepared to fight. USS Constellation was outfitted with 24 pounder gun that caused her to lean too much to lee due to topweight and thus had to surrender the weather gauge to L'Insurgente. She would be refitted with 18 pounder guns in her next refit. L'Insurgente raised the French Tricolor and Captain Barreaut tried to ask for parley. Captain Truxtun refused to answer as his orders were to attack any French warship or privateer and answered when his last gun could be brought to bear. American warships of this period fired for the hull as did the British and each of the 24 pounders had been double shotted. L'Insurgente fired as per her training at the Constellation's masts and rigging. Constellation's masts were saved when her sail was reduced taking pressure off the damaged mast. L'Insurgente was devastated by Constellation's 1st broadside with many dead and others deserting their guns. L'Insurgente tried to board and slowed to close but this allowed Constellation to shoot ahead and crossed her bows for a bow rake with another broadside. Constellation crossed to windward and L'Insutgente turned to follow with both crews now exchanging port broadsides instead of starboard. One of Constellation's 24 pounders smashed through the hull of L'Insurgente; unfortunately for L'Insurgent, her 12 pounders were not equal to the same task against Constellation's hull. Captain Barreaut had been shown one of Constellation's 24 pound cannon balls and understood that he was in a completely unequal contest with sails down and nothing comparable to reply with many already dead and wounded. He struck colors— the first major victory by an American-designed and -built warship.
USS Constellation vs. La Vengeance
Other victories followed. In February 1800 Cons
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