For the past twenty-eight years, Geoff Kaufman (geoffkaufman.com) has been … Read Full Bio ↴For the past twenty-eight years, Geoff Kaufman (geoffkaufman.com) has been leading audiences to find truth, humor, and beauty in folk music. Whether singing sailor songs with his quartet, Forebitter; or environmental songs on board the Sloop Clearwater in the Hudson River; or in solo performances at coffeehouses throughout the Northeast United States and festivals in Europe, Geoff has entertained and touched audiences near and far.

Songs of the sea, songs of the earth, songs of the heart and the spirit—all of these are in Geoff Kaufman's ditty bag. Ancient ballads, work songs, and songs of love; poignant songs of people in struggle, humorous glimpses of human foibles, and insights into history—all of these are likely to be woven into one of Geoff's concerts.

Above all, at the core of Geoff's performance is his rich tenor voice and an exuberant love of singing. And part of that love is to entice audiences to sing along, to share in the exhilaration of full-throated vocalization if they wish. In this age of electronic overload and passive media pabulum, Geoff likes to stress the "live" in live performance, promoting participation, be it by voice or heart or mind.

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The American Constitution Frigate's Engagement With The British Frigate Guerriere
Geoff Kaufman Lyrics

No lyrics text found for this track.

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

David R. Lentz

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP

I would like to build a diorama of the ship in close-quarters battle with a foe. Ideally, one that is historically accurate. The HMS Guerriere comes to mind as an eminently satisfactory example. However, finding a kit of this in the same scale I expect would be improbable.
Would you know if any kit maker pro- duces such? I lack the skill to scratch- build one.
Alternately, could one credibly mod- ify another kit of the Constitution? This might work if one altered the railings: painted the hull, and the deck fixtures differently; repositioned some features; changed the sails, the yard- arms, the masts, the rigging, etc.; posted different pennants; altered the uniforms and attire, especially their colours, and the like.
Toward this, I have several ques- tions: 1) What would serve as a sui- table counterpart in an engagement on the high seas? 2) How would one set the sails? I understand that the crews would have furled the lower set, that they could see to fight. 3) How many crew figures would this entail? I am estimating at least a couple hun- dred per ship. The gun crews would be busily at work, likely sharply increasing this number. 4) How would one represent battle damage? This would entail more than just cutting away some of the hull and bits of the deck fixtures; one must dramatise how the cannonball struck, including collateral damage. I want the enemy vessel to be the worse for it, with one mast fallen diagonally across the deck, its rigging and ratlines entang- ling things. 5) How would one present the crews in fighting? This also would include the dead and wounded, which to be accurate would be grim (to say the least!).
The next alternative would be to consider the Barbary Pirates. However, I know even less of that setting. Would any of you lot?

ZZZZZZXZ

I eventually want to build a model of the USS Constitution (using the Revell 1:96th-scale kit) engaged with a wor- thy opponent. The HMS Guerriere would be an eminently satisfactory example. However, I have no idea as to how to actualise this in polystyrene In scale to the Constitution (1:96). Do you know if any kit maker produces such? I lack the skill to scratch-build one.
The next alternative would be to consider the Barbary Pirates. How- ever, I know even less of that setting.

Saul

2y↑1

It was 20%, not 30%. My study of naval battles of the period shows that a 20% firepower disadvantage, (or more) could easily be overcome by an experienced crew and captain. Shannon's crew was well drilled and ready for the fight. Chesapeake was not... She had a new captain and a green crew only a few hours out of the dockyard. If anything the battle is only interesting because it shows how important training is. Then again, what you find to be a better story is a matter of opinion....

The battle was over in less than 15 min. I'll grant you the challenge letter was the most interesting part, though Lawrence never got it.

Most of the Chesapeake's officers were killed at the start of the battle with the captain mortally wounded. They only exchanged a few broadsides before the boarding happened, and with most of the officers killed...it was a bad time for the Americans. Now if Shannon had fought Constitution and won....that would have been a better story!

Also, Old Ironsides victories were far more significant for many reasons.

1. The RN was thought to be unbeatable at sea. In fact, the RN hadn't lost a frigate (in action) in over 2 decades before the war of 1812.
2. Moral was low in the U.S. and the war was thought to be unwinnable. The victory Constitution had over the RN frigates was so much more important to the U.S. war effort. (Because they happened at the start, before the Shannon vs Chesapeake).
3. The losses at sea vs the U.S. frigates were not well received in the UK. Whom thought themselves unbeatable at sea as well... Lowering support or the war.
4. The losses showed many flaws that had developed in the RN. Which caused the RN to address these issues for the health of the navy. Leading to a better fighting force for the UK.
5. The victories showed the U.S. that if it was to play a role on the world stage it must be done through the navy.
6. Finally, these victories showed the UK and the world that the U.S. was to be taken seriously as a new nation.

Just my opinion anyway. Have a good one.

alganhar1

@Shahn Xaoc Actually HMS Victory was about as fast and almost as agile....

So no. Not always the case.

There is literally a case of a British Ship of the Line Squadron chasing and overhauling a French Frigate Squadron and taking or destroying all 6 French Frigates.

It all depends on the weather. In heavier seas the Ships of the line with the larger, beamier hulls and HUGE sail plans could maintain more sail for longer and in heavier weather than even heavily built frigates like Constitution. As a result Victory in heavier weather conditions (though not enough to obscure her lower gun battery) would actually be able to overhaul Constitution very rapidly, considering Victory's unique qualities. In heavy weather though MOST 3rd - 1st Rates would be able to overhaul Frigates.

In lighter weather however the advantage is with the longer length to beam ratio and lighter build of the frigates. So as I said, sea and weather conditions really did matter with those ships. HMS Victory was known as a fast sailor, even in weather advantageous for Frigates she was only half a knot slower than a 6th Rate. Think on that, a 102 gun ship of the line only half a knot slower in fine weather than a 6th rate frigate that is BUILT for speed.....

There is a reason Victory was kept in service for so long, and why later British 1st Rates were based on her design....

alganhar1

Actually YOURS is misinformed.

The vast majority of British sailors were not in fact impressed, they were volunteers. In fact the Royal Navy PREFERRED volunteers over impressed men. Enough so that there are literal ships logs revealing Captains refusing an influx of impressed sailors and preferring to wait for volunteers.

Did the British use impressment, yes, but only when they had to. So, by the way, did the United States Navy, a dirty little secret the US likes to hide. But like the British they only used it when they absolutely had to.

Contrary to popular belief the life of a sailor in the Royal Navy was actually pretty damned good. There was more than adequate food, in fact RN rations (which are well documented) came to close to 6000 calories per day and included meat, every day. NOT something your average Brit (or your average American) could guarantee every day. Indeed after the Nore Mutiny several of the more egregious practices of the RN were banned, such as the infamous Pursers Cut, the Nore mutiny being WELL before the 1812 War I may add. Was discipline harsh? It could be, but that was the same for ANY warship in the world of ANY Navy at the time, and it was a good deal less harsh than landside justice was..... Experienced and skilled sailors were VALUABLE, they were not a resource you wasted by flogging them to death every time they dropped a bucket of dirty water. Hell there were many British Officers who went their ENTIRE careers without once ever ordering a flogging, and these were men who reached Admiral ranks..... Sure, it happened, but it was avoided if at all possible. After all, you cant take a farmer and turn him into a topsman overnight. Skilled sailors had a TRADE, one that took yers to learn and become skilled at. And for an Island Kingdom like the UK that relied on overseas trade it was one in CONSTANT demand.

So, kindly take your misinformation about the British sailors of the day somewhere else, as it is almost entirely false. I will never deny that the British used impressment on occasion, a practice by the way we now call CONSCRIPTION. But unlike the French and Spanish Navy's, which other than officers and Warrant Officers were ENTIRELY conscripted, the Royal Navy was almost entirely volunteer.

All comments from YouTube:

Task & Purpose

4y↑26

50% off first CBD purchase use code: "TASK" https://warfighterhemp.com ! Let us know what you thought of the video

Don Byczynski

Keep the thc in and you got your self a customer

Knight Watchman

48w

Captain Hull, not Holt. You "kids" who put these things together don't know squat. Plus, the ship you show at 0:04 is the USS Constellation moored in Baltimore.

Rodney Koh

4y↑66

The oldest commissioned warship in the world is HMS Victory, a 104-gun first-rate ship of the line of the British Royal Navy, ordered in 1758, laid down in 1759 and launched in 1765. The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship that is still afloat.

Task & Purpose

4y↑13

thats a good point of distinction thanks for the additional info! great comment

DeadMeat

4y↑23

With all due respect to the legendary HMS Victory, her hull hasn't touched the ocean since 1922 and it's been liberally pierced for pedestrian walkways. She is a dry docked museum ship, which is not maintained in a manner equivalent to her service as a first-rate ship of the line. HMS Victory is not even owned by the Ministry of Defense. Her continual commission is less relevant than those of the UK's "Stone Frigates" and serves only a ceremonial purpose. Claiming her status as the world's oldest commissioned warship may be technically correct, but is practically meaningless.

allthe banter

4y↑1

MrEsszed I feel like trafalgar is the most important naval battle in history, irrelevant of sail, steam, coal or nuclear.

PrimevalTimes

3y↑11

@MrEsszed The Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. That was always its claim to fame. The HMS Victory, while still commissioned and more historically significant and impressive in its day, is no longer capable of floating, let alone sailing. In any case, this discussion was never meant to turn hostile. We merely wish to celebrate and discuss naval history. Thus, the insults were unnecessary.

4 More Replies...

Al MacMathain

2y↑3

The oldest commissioned warship in the world is HMS Victory, currently birthed in Portsmouth, it was launched in 1765 and was Nelson’ flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar on 1805 when the British fleet defeated the combined fleets of France and Spain . Today she is the flag Ship of the Royal Navy’s First Sea Lord and has been in service at with the Royal Navy for 244 years.

Ethan Schmid

2y↑3

Can I just say thank you for your services in the military and awesome lecture on our oldest commissioned warship! I can related to this because my grandfather was sergeant tank commander in the 4th armored division. Sadly, it’s not from World War 2 because he was a kid during that time. He did however serve in that division in non-combat service in between the Korean and Vietnam wars. Even though he passed away in 1994, two years before I was born, I was still about him by my dad, my two aunts or my dad’s two sisters, and my grandma. Once again, thank you for your service in the military!

Taha Bashir

4y↑67

hey, don't forget the fact that it had two massive rockets to propel it, it got stuck atop a building and its captain is a robot with built in miniguns and RPGs.

Lghtning44

3y↑7

Scrappers are also trying to kill them don’t forget

David R. Lentz

1y↑1

Aboard a naval warship, the boarding party (at 5:35) comprised significantly, if not predominantly, of marines. Those of NATO/OTAN nations still serve this role. Recently, Dutch marines arrested pirates seeking to commandeer a naval supply vessel.

Millard Washington

4y↑6

Constitution was a super frigate, with an advanced hull design, carronades had a shorter range (barrel) so you had to get in close.but packed a heavier punch and needed more powder to propel 32lbs than an 18 lb.or 24 lb. round .

alganhar1

Her main battery was also heavier, 44 24 pounders compared to the 36 18 pounders of Guirierre. Also Guirierre was much more lightly built. Both ships by the way had 32 pounder Carronades. HMS Guirierre however only had 260 crew compared to Constitutions 470 ish and Guirierres Captain had given the American Crew on board permission to stand down from their guns (yes, there were Americans serving on board her, and no they were not actually pressed).

But Guirierre did not strike her colours until AFTER she had lost all three masts and was an unmaneuverable wreck. What was remarkable was not that Constitution won that fight, both ships were equally well handled, but that HMS Guirierre fought so long and hard.....

But most American's just look at British Frigate vs American, British Royal Navy, raaaah, MURICA.... And conveniently forget that when the Third, Second and First Rates of the RN turned up to fight a war the USA had declared (not the other way around), those American Frigates ran to port and stayed there....

That there is the problem with declaring war on the premiere Naval power in the world at the time AFTER they had comprehensively defeated their main enemies Fleets comprehensively and totally (France and Spain). But certain rich Americans had seen the opportunity to grab bits of Canada while Britain was still fighting the Napoleonic War and used pretty much every pretext they could to form a Causus Belli.....

Ohne Namen

4y↑16

We have something similar in Germany. The „Gorch Fock” and most soldiers hate this thing, because it just costed a shit tone of money to fix it. While we have a lot of problems with personal equipment

HingerlAlois

4y↑3

Well the Gorch Fock of the German Navy isn’t really that old, it was built in 1958, the design as such dates back to 1933 when the first ship of the class was built.
Two of the sister ships are also still in active service as training ships with the navies of Portugal and Romania. USGC Eagle (built as Horst Wessel in 1936) is in active service with the US Coast Guard.
Also one sister ship (the original Gorch Fock built in 1933) is privately owned as a museum in Hamburg Germany and one ship was sunk in 1947.

PeloneHedd

There are also two Leda Class frigates that were built around 1815 still in existence. Many of the British Frigates were similar in appearance to the Guerriere which was captured from the French. There is a wealth of interesting history surrounding the development of frigates and the changes in appearance placement of armament to retain sailing qualities and prevent Hogging. Many Leda Class Frigates were built by the Wadia family shipworks in India. As a Contractor in Marin County California it was a pleasant surprise to meet a member of that family who was a building inspector. Before coming to The US he told Me He was trained and educated in shipbuilding.

Stephen Kapowski

3y↑3

It's fascinating to me that the Constitution was made a museum but not the Enterprise considering that it doesn't even come close to the battle history that the Enterprise had.

Leonardus Raka Pradayan

4y↑52

“American oak is apparently as strong as our freedom” best line in the video

Regicidal Militia

Most oak has the same hardness.

1 More Replies...

DSS1998

2y↑1

The Battle of Lake Champlain which took place on 6–11 September 1814 was even more amazing.

Kevin Combes

3y↑1

I found the detailed discussion about the various armaments and their use particularly interesting.

Eric B.

2y↑1

I crewed for two years on the US Brig Niagara after the 2nd reproduction was built for the Pennsylvania Historical Commission.
I handled sails at the tallest spar on the mainmast. I've sailed the Niagara in Lake Erie and the Atlantic from Halifax to Gaspe, Nova Scotia.

Ian Anderson

4y↑1

Excellent video. Had no idea. Had heard of the frigate . The narrator gives a clear and informative military breakdown. His mil background shows through . From a fan in Queensland Australia

George Ploss

4y↑93

This was a good video, I'm still laughing on the inside because a soldier is a giving us a lesson on a naval battle lol

Task & Purpose

4y↑21

if I ever found myself on a boat I would all kinds of lost

Terrell Thomas

4y↑1

@Task & Purpose lol

The Jolly Good Rodger

Wow! That ship has been a museum since my country was federated. Very impressive.

Al MacMathain

2y↑1

The USS Constitution was not a frigate in the accepted sense it was a specific American class of ship twice the size of a normal frigate built by European navies and with extremely thick sides as shown in the film. Most battle injuries to crew members aboard wooden warships came from the solid cannon balls breaking through side of the ship spraying the decks with lethal wooden splinters.

pnartg

The "accepted" sense of frigate was very broad, but it generally referred to a square-rigged vessel with one primary gun deck - as opposed to a ship of the line with two or three. The French Forte class had over 50 guns. The Swedish Bellona class had over 40 guns. The British built the Leander and Newcastle classes of frigates which were almost identical to the Constitution. The British also built a class of frigates by starting with a 74-gun ship of the line and razing a deck. (razees) which packed a much bigger wallop than the Constitution but were still classed as frigates.They did likewise with 64-gun ships of the line, such as the legendary frigate HMS Indefatigable

Dan M

2y↑1

The constitution was a frigate. It was not a big battleship. but it was fast even for a frigate. it had a speed of 13 knotts. The hms vitory for example had a speed of 11 knotts. part of the reason it was so fast was due to the shape of the keel. it had a steep angle at the bow

clever username

2y↑3

I think it's a bit inaccurate to call the crew of the Constitution untrained, the US Navy has always been a volunteer force and most of these men were experienced sailors, many of whom had been trained in British vessels, merchant or naval.

alganhar1

A BIT inaccurate? I would go so far as to call it out right lies. But maybe I am being a touch harsh, possible that the poster does not know much about the manning and training of USN crew at the time.

They may have had little experience of USS Constitution, but as you said, the majority of those men were experienced sailors, and many had learned their trade in the Royal Navy (almost all of them as Volunteers I might add. Most people do not realise it but the RN preferred to rely on volunteers and only ever used impressment if they had no choice). It would not have taken long to work such a crew up assuming the Captain and Officers were any good, and by all accounts the American Officers on board the big 6 were on the whole very competent.

Beowulf

4y↑147

We’ve replaced all the wood, rigging, sails, and everything else, but it’s the same ship!

juan ignacio Flores

4y↑27

that's the Theseus paradox for you!

Arbhall

4y↑8

Yep. Pretty much made of nothing but left over skin, blood and fighting spirit.

Tiberius

4y↑9

A ship is a physical entity, created by usage of it as an item. Until it's in the water, it's just a 1:1 scale model of a ship.
The ship is the the wood, the ship is the moments set assail, all existing as one, four dimensionally.

Krevix Bass

4y↑2

@RoniiNN good point now me brain hurts

atar vos

4y↑6

Yes it is.....
because it concerns the keel of the ship, and it has not been replaced. the keel is the core or soul of one ship. her spine as you wish...

For once, please be happy it is still there...and be proud at it!

10 More Replies...

Bill Brockman

4y↑10

Live Oak is amazing wood, very dense. Camping on the sea islands of the SE coast, trying to burn fallen branches for campfires is nearly impossible.

Robdog 1

There are still frigates in the US Navy. The Oliver Hazard Perry class was decommissioned in 2015, and is being replaced by the Constellation class. Constitution is the only ORIGINAL frigate, but not the only frigate in the USN.

Catrin Astrop

4y↑26

I’m pretty sure you can guess what the outcome of the battle was at the beginning

Task & Purpose

4y↑11

took me till the end of the video to figure it out

Jim C

2y↑2

The 24 pounder long guns were “not good at long range and were used in close combat”??? 24 pounder long guns were some of the longest range cannons at sea at the time. I think they got this backwards with the carronades she carried on her upper deck. They were shorter range weapons.

alganhar1

My thoughts exactly. Constitutions 24 pounders outranged Guirierres 18 pounders and had more punch, then you add to that the fact that Constitution was much more heavily built as befits a 5th Rate Heavy Frigate compared to an albeit large 6th Rate Frigate.

Then look at crew numbers, Guirierres 260 to Constitutions 470. I don't think many people appreciate how much larger and more powerful Constitution was in comparison to Guirierre.....

Jazz Jackrabbit

4y↑87

Why did America win that battle?
They were high... on freedom

Mckenzie Africa

4y↑9

Murica

carbidegrd1

4y↑4

5% of the worlds Population 25% of the worlds prisoners. Yeah You are free.

JCAliberty82

4y↑4

@carbidegrd1 I can't hear you over my FREEDOM !!!

alganhar1

No, because the USS Constitution was a powerful 44 gun 5th rate frigate packing 24 pounder main battery and with almost Ship of the Line hull build and a crew of some 470 men.

HMS Guirriere was a 38 gun 6th rate with 18 pounder main battery of much lighter build with a crew of 260 men.

What was remarkable is that Constitution had to batter HMS Guirierre until she was little more than a floating wreck before she struck her colours.... Not that Constitution won......

CeltCat

@alganhar1 keep telling yourself

4 More Replies...

John Koehler

4y↑4

Lovin the Task and History! Keep it up man

Task & Purpose

thanks for watching glad you enjoyed the video !

Duane Lewis

I think we really need to make a feature movie ala Master and Commander: Far Side of the World that had Russell Crowe of the battles of the USS Constitution during the War of 1812.

Ray

One of the USA Ship was known as Tipu Sultan - Haider Ali, Sultan of Mysore Sultanate who was the fierce Enemy of the British Colonialism, who defeated British 3 time's & was murdered by betrayal.
He invented founded the Rocket warfare & has his honors by Space NASA for investing Rockets.

66Block

4y↑3

This ship is the main reason I want to visit Boston someday.

Muffin Man

3y↑1

It’s near bunker hill also within walking distance.

Brent Dallyn

No joke, the Oak used to build the Constitution was far denser than the European Oak used in British vessels

cybersquire

4y↑1

Damn it, Cappy! Despite my best efforts, this Cranky Old Trooper is really enjoying these videos. Keep this up, and I might actually crack a smile.

Task & Purpose

4y↑1

if I can get a soft chuckle out of anyone then I've done my job haha that's my standard

David R. Lentz

Roy Telling

4y↑6

OK firstly I will say I am of English background :)
yes Old Ironside (1812) was a good ship BUT the HMS Guerriere (1806) was outgunned and outmatched by Ironside
Main battery Ironside had 30 × 24-pounder long guns compared to the Guerrieres 28 × 18-pounder long guns
Second battery Ironside had 20 × 32-pounder carronades compared to the Guerrieres 18 × 32-pounder carronades
Ironsides had 2 × 24-pounder chase guns compared to the Guerrieres 2 × 18-pounder chase guns
If I was the captain of the Guerriere I would of sailed away form the battle :)
and the oldest ship that is still commissioned is the HMS Victory 1765 world's oldest naval ship still in commission, with 242 years' service as of 2020.
I would like to say I enjoy your Videos and I enjoyed this one as well

CutlassTeam

4y↑1

You forgot to mention that Guerriere was French built and captured by the British and pressed into service. French ships use softer wood than the Brits, so she was inherently weaker. Endymion vs President is probably a fairer fight, the fastest ship in the Royal navy against the American Frigates with Battlecruiser ideals.

Roy Telling

4y↑2

@CutlassTeam I know I forgot to mention it was a French ship 😎👍 but thanks for the information on the wood that I didn't know

Joseph Dow

Old Ironsides is located at the Charlestown Navy Yard. I grew up there and always took the tours. The Bunkerhill Monument is right up the street.

I hate fortnight Give me a reason why i shouldn’t

4y↑9

You think you could do a story on the Willie D ship in WW2 it’s actually a really funny story

Mckenzie Africa

4y↑2

William D Porter*

L Scott

48w

There's a forest preserve of White oak specifically set aside for the Constitution near Bloomington, Indiana.

Richard Lacker

you should find out more about live oak. live oak is the reason the cannonballs bounced off

Mark Jordan

I forget which battle but the Constitution lost the ships wheel to cannon fire. They maneuvered by pulling the tiller lines. After the battle they went aboard the defeated ship took there wheel and installed it on Constitution where it remains today.

XA05 RUDRA DEY

3y↑1

In 5:21 you said that the British ship was larger but I think the constitution was 49 feet longer than the guerriere

Kyle Ruiz

He might have been talking about the hull length, because the uss constitution had a very long boom and bowsprit which is almost as long as half of the constitution

Thel 'Vadam

4y↑5

Wonder if captain Ironside is still trying to get it to fly 🤔

ViceN53X

4y↑1

Damn you, Weatherby Savings and Loan! I spit at you!

Satori sama

They should try redbull :D

Taha Bashir

4y↑1

yes, he's now on top a massive skyscraper in the middle of downtown Boston. "One step closer to the sea".

SIXITHS

The USS Chesapeake vs HMS Shannon fight is probably more famous in the UK.

Miki Laursen

5:20 the guerriere was "smaller" than the USS Constitution

The Last Cannon

Totally worth a visit.

Josh Stock

I love that a company called warfighter hemp exists.

Fuck yeah.

Zexsis Faux

I fucking love these history videos. FEED MEE MORRE.

Thirty-four

4y↑1

Some war ready navy dude: is alive

Some old arse ship: I’m about end this whole man’s career

jbknight311

The crew, like the Navy detail at Arlington should wear traditional Navy uniforms. Not some Washington desk riders decision cause he wanted to be a marine. The Constitution's crew always wore period uniforms, not just the guides.
Just one NAVET's opinion

Adam Schadow

This was just a 1 vs 1 you guys should check out the battle of cannanore that was 4 vs 200+ it was by far the greatest naval victory of all time.

Task & Purpose

thats crazy I'll look into that, what war was that during?

Adam Schadow

@Task & Purpose I know it was between portugal and india around 1500.

Miyelir

What about the battle of Trafalgar? I would have thought that since it decided who controlled the worlds oceans for over a hundred years maybe it might be greater.

MrEsszed

While an important battle, you should also look at the battle of Boston Harbour. It’s a much more interesting tale.

Mike Purdue

3y↑1

It still exists because it never got caught broadside with HMS Victory

alganhar1

2y↑1

Single broadside would have stove her in. Scary thing? Victory was renown as a fast sailor, in light weather she was only half a knot slower than 6th rate frigates. In weather that SUITED the frigates. In heavier weather Victory would have been actually faster AND more agile than Constitution, and been able to dictate the engagement.

There is a REASON HMS Victory was kept in service for so long, and the Caledonians and other 1st Rates that succeeded her were based on her design.....

Shoomer1988

"American oak is as strong as our freedom" Well, that would put your trees down on number 27.

SgtRudy0311 Smith31bRet

4y↑1

5:33 they were Marines on the boarding party and they used shot in their muskets.

dan

I’m a combat vet, never imagined I’d have ptsd, huge stigma in the infantry. I can’t seem to get help from the VA and not sure where to turn. I’m not sure why but CBD doesn’t seem to help me sleep although i keep being told it should. Is there any non va veteran support groups or something out there? Not gonna bullspit, I’m ashamed to say it but I’m sucking hard these days. I really hate being a pus but I can’t seem to move past- was fine at first but now I’m just tanking to the bottom. Very embarrassing took a lot to admit this garbage

Joe Redmon

Dan, don't be ashamed. You're not a puss. You are a hero. You are paying the price for seeing things that people weren't meant to see and defending us when no one else would. I don't know where you live, but I'm sure there are support groups in your area if you look in the right place. I am praying for you, sir.

Carl Sahlin

This clip mentions a Captain HOLT. Your editor slipped up. Issac was the Captain at that time.

leedrbb1

4y↑1

Very good 👍👍👍👍

Doug

3y↑3

Why don't you do a video on the USS Chesapeake vs HMS Shannon affair? The only real 'fair' duel of the war. Oh that's right, it was over in 15 minutes and largely settled with hand to hand combat. Guess that wouldn't sit well with the whole freedom thing, especially since it had the good and fine people of Boston looking on... in despair.

Regicidal Militia

2y↑1

Excuses for the losers... Maybe the third time... Oh wait that would be embarrassing today as the US would just laugh.

1 More Replies...

Son Anderson

Literally the ship of Theseus

COD PLAYER 789

I also want to know another thing
Can a personel use any sight other than the ACOG in the army?

Ken T. Smallville

Greatmcwhite 😂 "Buh-dum, tishhh."

jrmcc17

Generally you can only use issued optics. As for what you get, It depends on what your unit has and will issue you. You might be able to get an eotech, or you might just get a CCO (red dot), but most combat arms just get an acog. Honestly tho, an acog is what you want.

Chuck Johnson

Fun Fact.
On May 10 1844 the U.S.S. Constitution was in Da Nang Vietnam .

PeloneHedd

Its Hull not Holt. Sadly if the Constitution or either of the Surviving Leda Class British Frigates were to meet the French Frigate Hermione the French would take all three as prizes. That’s what happen’s when gun control is applied to historic naval vessel’s. It reminds Me of a story from the stoics about choosing to die like a man or live as a eunuch.

Millard Washington

4y↑1

HMS Victory is the oldest 1759

TK99

FYI, the Constitution was called a Super Frigate. Since the US couldn't afford true battleships of the line. They instead over engineered and over gunned the ships they could make, hence the Super Frigate. Not to take away from her accomplishments. Just that she was one few ships that could even attempt what she pulled off. Which goes more to her crew and captain, as the ship herself. An example, unlike most other navies of the era, the US Navy was willing to spend the powered to practice gunner. The British Navy did not, believing it a waste of money. That meant the Constitution had 80%+ hit rate (practically unheard of for the era), while the British ships was closer to 50% hit rate. Yes, you can miss with a broadside. But more importantly, you could miss anything vital and just make splinters, not knock out a enemy.

alganhar1

Erm, actually wrong. British Captains REGULARLY trained gunnery, and it showed at battles like the Nile, Copenhagen and Trafalgar where the British crews had more than twice the rate of fire. In fact Captains would pay out of their own pocket to ensure their gun crews had enough powder and shot to practice gunnery if they had to. There are literally records of many, many Royal Navy Captains doing EXACTLY that. Good gunnery was a point of pride amongst good British Captains at the time.

The difference was the British Doctrine was to close and utilise rapid rate of fire to overwhelm an enemy ships hull. Your comment of 'just make splinters' shows your absolute ignorance of ship to ship combat in that era because injuries caused by splinters thrown out from cannonballs passing through hull timbers was literally THE primary cause of injuries in a Naval battle at the time. Those splinters could be as long as spears, 3 - 6 foot long, and were a nightmare for the ships surgeons to remove. The point of the British method of Naval combat was to close and pound the hull, put the enemy guns out of action and kill or wound as many of the crew as possible to either force the enemy to strike their colours, or to allow a boarding action.

Long range gunnery all to often allowed the enemy to slip away once they thought they were outmatched, much harder to do that if the enemy beating you is only two cables away and pounding you for two broadsides for every one you can manage....

contrarian duude

Great Video but know I'm curious if the Bill of Rights or the Declaration of Independence fought in any major battles? And how do they keep the salt water from dissolving the ink....

L Scott

48w

The ship moored pierside at 0:04 is the USS Constellation and is in Baltimore, NOT the USS Constitution.

Knight Watchman

48w

Correct. It's the USS Constellation.

MrEsszed

4y↑2

I think the battle between USS Chesapeake and HMS Shannon was a more significant battle and a much better story.

William Broke, calling out James Lawrence in the nautical version of single combat in a ship with a broadside 30% less than Chesapeake.

Saul

2y↑1

Maria Jose usero matute

A heavy frigate won against a light frigate.

Garrett Tingus

If you’re active duty don’t forget you still CAN NOT USE CBD PRODUCTS

Molder Man

Let’s be honest. An LCS is a Frigate.

LT. X-02 S-Wyvern

A really shitty one

RoninGamingFox

This is evidence that you can not destroy the Constitution.

Venator

4y↑2

The USS Constitution was the heavier ship. More Armor, more firepower. This wasnt exactly a fair fight. Same as it would have been very onesided if it would have faced a heavier British ship of the line.

Shahn Xaoc

4y↑1

The Constitution was significantly faster than similarly sized and armed ships of the line. That was the intent of her design, which was significantly atypical. She had, previous to the Guerriere encounter, outran a British squadron that could have taken her. Furthermore, the British naval dominance of the time had deluded British naval officers into thinking they could take an American ship of larger size and heavier armament.

alganhar1

G

4y↑2

I wonder who wan... the ship they just told me still exists or the other one... I really can't guess

Task & Purpose

little foreshadowing there !

carbidegrd1

4y↑2

Tell the story about how the Americans burnt the city of York (now Toronto) Guessing to make those Canadians "free".
Tell the story about how the Brits sailed up to Washington and burned it down in retaliation while the Marines guarding it ran for their lives. (Or you could conveniently leave that out and concentrate the story on the Baltimore fort whose "flag was still there" US history is total BS.

Muffin Man

3y↑2

The battle of Bladensberg? Marines fought till the last man only retreating when ordered to do so. The British respected the Marines so much the Marine barracks was the only government building they purposely didn’t burn down.

Jason Claros

We'll tell the story of Andrew Jackson's victory over the British at New Orleans instead.

J. C. Delich

Your explanation of 19th century gunnery and the 19th century sailor is not sufficiently informed and inadequate. The American sailors in this battle were volunteers, the British sailors were pressed. The American super-frigate was one factor that won the US the battle, but the other important factor was the skill of the American volunteer sailors. One ought not malign the skill of these men by saying carronades were used because the American sailors lacked skill. Carronades were on the spar deck because they were lighter than the long guns on the gun deck below, and because they fired a heavy projectile which was effective at short range. The carronades were a lot of short-range firepower and their lighter weight, compared to long guns, helped ensure the ship was not top-heavy.

alganhar1

James Beasley

48w

i want to go see tht ship and hms victory

John.R C.

Very nice.

Kevin Saltz

4y↑1

Who downvotes these lmao it's fun and informative

Task & Purpose

salty ol' sea captains I'm sure haha

alganhar1

@Task & Purpose I downvoted for the misinformation.

Like the carronades because of lack of skill, the real reason is they were lighter so were mounted higher up on the ship, they were short barrelled unlike the 'long guns' of the Constitutions MAIN BATTERY which were the 24 pounders. The 32 pounder carronades because of their short barrels were short range guns but with large bores, so offered extremely high short range firepower, however they were useless at long range.

Also your comment that the 24 pounders were bad at long range is utter garbage. Other than the 32 pounders mounted in the lower gun decks of 2 and 3 deck ships of the line the 24 pounders had the best long range characteristics of any Naval gun of the time period. In short the Constitution had the most powerful guns it was possible to fit on a purpose built frigate. There WERE a few Frigates that had 32 pounders, but they were razee's, which were old 4th or 3rd rate ships of the line with the upper gun deck cut away to turn them into frigates. Those converted from 3rd rates usually maintained the 32 pounders that were the 3rd Rates main lower gun deck battery.

Had the Constitution met one of THOSE, and the Royal Navy did have three of them at the time, she would likely have lost. Those were cut down third rates, with 44 32 pounder long guns, 30 32 pounder carronades topside, the hull timbers of an ACTUAL ship of the line designed and built to throw and receive broadsides from OTHER ships of the line, lightened by almost a thousand tons, but retaining the masts and sail plan of the original 3rd rate.

Carl Sahlin

Issac HULL was Captain at that time.

Sir Oglesby

4y↑2

Hahaha. At the beginning of the video you show an image of the USS Constellation.

Jiayong Li

I actually saw the ship on my trip to Boston

Naturally Artificial

2y↑1

"Who won?" I mean it's pretty fucking obvious who won.

cchanc3

and when the war was over, they got to smoke the ship.

Zefflin

What I wanna know is if this thing could beat a 3rd rate ship

alganhar1

2y↑1

Nope. A 3rd rate typically had 32 pounder main battery on the lower gun deck, and 24 or 18 pounder on the upper gun deck. A British 3rd rate would also have 32 pounder carronades mounted on the main deck. Also a third rates hull was BUILT to be in the line of battle, so was even stronger and tougher than the big American Frigates. Those things were designed and built to go broadside to broadside at close range with other Ships of the Line.

You are talking twice the broadside weight, if not more. A little under twice the crew including a full Royal Marine Company. Hull thickness that would be mostly proof from the 24 pounders at long range, and the 32 pounder Carronades are short range guns. And a well handled third rate, especially if it was French designed (and the Royal Navy kind of erm... borrowed a fair few of those) was not that much slower or less agile than a big 5th Rate like the Constitution. In heavy weather actually more so.

And those RN ships of the line REALLY practiced their gunnery. They went for close range rate of fire over long range accuracy because they had found that that is what actually won battles.....

Zefflin

@alganhar1 thanks for the info, though I've completely forgotten what this video was about and why I posted this comment lol...

The Proceedings

Its not going to be the last frigate for very much longer...

Miles Finch

It's got more and bigger guns, but it's still a fair fight!!!

Task & Purpose

yeah the "fair fight" part was propaganda for the U.S to boast about the victory

Charles Courtwright

@Task & Purpose if your fighting fair, your doing something wrong

Jaden Lilly

USS Texas needs love too

Kamikaze Viking

I Love how the painting at 2:14 have a bald eagle on the right side because America

A R

0:17 there's no modern day frigates in the navy?

Bianca Garcia

It's true.

Tengu

The Coast Guard has the nazi war prize a tall ship called the eagle still sailing about

HingerlAlois

The sister ships of USGC Eagle are also in service with the navies of Portugal, Romania and Germany (this one was built later in 1958 and named Gorch Fock like the first ship of the class).
The original Gorch Fock (built in 1933) is a museum and one ship of the class was sunk in 1947 due to damage it had suffered by a bomb in 1945.

1 More Replies...

Greg Hamblin

👍🏻

Curtis Millett

4y↑6

America oak is as strong as are freedom 5:10

Task & Purpose

hoooahhh

Space Peanut

She is not in Massachusetts, I can assure you.

Taha Bashir

4y↑1

Yeah, she's definitely not stuck atop a building in Boston.

COD PLAYER 789

Bro I'm waiting for the vdio on the M27 IAR

Vange Cruz

The dislikes are from people who thinks you/USS constitution is ugly

alganhar1

Nope, Constitution is a pretty and finely built ship. Hell she is still afloat, and there is something about the lines of one of the age of sail frigates that is just so nice. I'll be honest though, I think the 6th rates like Guirierre was are actually more attractive than Constitution, but the big 6 were chunky vessels for Frigates of the day. No one else had anything to match them save for a few razee's cut down from old 4th or 3rd rates.