WHO AND WHY WAS THE USS CONSTITUTION BUILT?
Jennifer M.
The USS Constitution was constructed
in 1794. The ship, with six frigates, was built to help protect American
merchant fleets from attacks by the Barbary pirates, harassment by British,
and French forces. Before this period the United States of America had
been without a Navy for nine years. The U.S. found it difficult to trade
without being attacked by the Barbary pirates. These pirates knew there
was no navy to stop them. Then the Navy was established. That same year
the Congress authorized construction for the Constitution. 
The Constitution was designed by
Joshua Humphreys and Josiah Fox. The U.S. wanted the ship to be capable
of defeating any enemy about the same size and fast enough to out sail
a stronger opponent. The place of building was the Edmond Harrt's Shipyard
in Boston. It was built by Colonel George Claghorn. The ship was made
form the wood of one thousand and five hundred trees. The live oak, red
cedar, white oak, pitch pine, and locust came from such states as Maine,
South Carolina, and Georgia. The canvas came from Rhode Island. The keel
and cannon balls came from New Jersey. Sails, gun carriages, and the anchors
came from Massachusetts. The great Paul Revere provided the spikes and
copper sheathings. Many states provided great resources to establish a
ship that protected our country. The ship first set sail in 1798.
The USS Constitution is symbol for our country. About ten percent of the original ship exists. The ship has been restored, so visitors are able to walk aboard. The thick oak that helped protect the ship in many battles still remains strong today. The Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat today. The Secretary of the Navy is responsible for the upkeeping of the ship. This ship is a symbol of our history and it is right in Boston, Massachusetts. The USS Constitution is the foundation for our nation's strength.
Bibliography
http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/shiphistoryx.htm
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/allhands/ah0697/jun-pg30.html
Kent, Deborah. Boston. New York: Children's Press, 1998.
Monke, Ingrid. Boston, A Downtown America Book. Minnesota: Dillion Press, Inc, 1988.