On August 19, 1812, the U.S. frigate Constitution engaged the British warship Guerriere in the North Atlantic during the War of 1812. The American ship’s thick hull reportedly caused British cannonballs to bounce off, inspiring the nickname “Old Ironsides.” The Constitution’s crew disabled and captured the Guerriere after a fierce battle. News of the victory boosted American morale in a conflict that had been controversial at home. The win showed that the young U.S. Navy could defeat a British warship in single combat. The Constitution is preserved today as a historic ship in Boston.
