“Hurrah! Her sides are made of iron!” shouted an American seamen as one cannonball after another struck a side of the U.S.S. Constitution and bounced off into the sea. That was during the War of 1812 in the battle with the British ship Guerriere. But ever since, Americans have used the name Old Ironsides for their most famous and best loved ship.

Those who saw her launched at Boston in 1797 were filled with pride in their struggling new nation and its tiny navy. With her 44 guns mounted and with flags flying, the great three-masted, square-rigged fighting ship sailed forth to a long life of victory and renown.

Today thousands of Americans visit Old Ironsides at her dock in the Boston Navy Yard. The famous frigate has been rebuilt to look just as she did when she went into her first Naval engagement more than 250 years ago.

In Old Ironsides: The Fighting Constitution, Harry Hansen has told the life story of the proud ship that Americans honor above all others.

From the dust jacket