USS CONSTELLATION MODEL

USS 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 and defeat an enemy vessel. Constructed in 1797, she was modified several times in succeeding decades, and finally rebuilt beginning in 1853 as the sloop-of-war USS Constellation (1854).

After realizing that the fledgling United States could not match for size the navies of the European states, Joshua Humphrey designed a diagonal scantling (rib) scheme to limit hogging and included extremely heavy planking. This gave the hull greater strength than conventional frigates. The new design gave the USS Constellation tall ship the ability to overpower other frigates, but with the speed to escape from powerful ships of the line.

USS Constellation convoyed American merchantmen at the outset. Under the command of Captain Thomas Truxtun, she sailed for the Caribbean in December 1798. Subsequently, on February 9, 1799, the Constellation captured a French 40-gun frigate, L'Insurgente. In a hard-fought victory, she brought her prize into port. The capture of the French frigate was the most notable event of the Quasi War with France. The well-disciplined and well-trained crew gained a masterful victory in this first battle test of the new frigates of the US Navy. 

In the succeeding months, Constellation additionally encountered and seized two French privateers, Diligent and Union.

On the evening of February 1, 1800, the Constellation engaged with a 52-gun frigate, the Vengeance, in a lengthy, furious battle. Vengeance twice struck her colors and was close to sinking. However, with a stroke of luck, Vengeance utilized the darkness of the night to escape from the USS Constellation, who was unable to pursue further because of the loss of her mainmast.

In May 1800, USS Constellation additionally gained more recognition for recapturing three merchantmen.

Except for brief periods under repair, Constellation's career through the mid-point 19th century proved varied and colorful. From November 12, 1819 to April 24, 1820, she served as flagship of Commodore Charles Morris on the Brazil Station, which entailed protecting American commerce against privateers and supporting the negotiation of trade agreements with South American nations.

On July 25, 1820, she sailed for the first time to Pacific waters where she joined the Squadron of Commodore Charles Stewart. For two years, USS Constellation protected American shipping off the coast of Peru, an area where that erupted into revolt against Spain. In 1827, Constellation acted as flagship for the West India Squadron. She participated in a twofold mission involving the eradication of the last of the pirates and the interception of slavers operating in the area. In August 1829, she cruised to the Mediterranean to watch over American shipping and to collect indemnities from previous losses suffered by U.S. merchantmen. En route to her station, she carried the American ministers to France and England to their posts of duty.

During the 1840's, USS Constellation circumnavigated the globe. Serving as flagship to Captain Kearny and the East India Squadron in March 1841, her mission was to safeguard American lives, property against loss in the Opium War, and enable negotiation of commercial treaties.

In 1853, USS Constellation was struck and broken up for scrap at the Gosport Navy Yard in Portsmouth Virginia. At the same time, the keel was laid for what became known as the sloop of war USS Constellation (1854). By the 20th century, the 1854 version was widely believed (including by the U.S. Navy) to be the 1797 version. In the latter half of the 20th century, the city of Baltimore continued to promote the ship as the original, but some naval historians understood the ship to be an 1854 sloop-of-war rebuild of the original frigate, using a number of original parts. Commemorative copper coins were struck from parts of the USS Constellation, and have become collector's items.

About the construction of the USS Constellation model:

- Built from scratch over hundreds of hours by master artisans
- The boats are real wood, with real planks. We are the only one who stays true to the art of tall ships
- Plank-on-frame construction.
- Copper-plated bottom: individual copper pieces (no fake lines.)
- Blackened metal cannons and wooden carriage.  Under the main deck, all guns are "real" guns which have proper barrels and wooden carriages which sit on 2 real decks under the main deck. These guns are not simple barrels inserted into a solid hull like in a cheap model.
- Authentic extensive rigging system comprised of many different sizes of rope and features numerous blocks and deadeyes

Dimensions and price of the USS Constellation model:

36" long x 27" tall  x 13" wide 

27" long x 27" tall  x 13" wide