Constellation (CV 64) - Naval Cruise Book

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Spirit of the Old, Pride of the New. Christening motto of USS Constellation, 1961 JULY 26, 1959 Early con struction in the New York Naval Shipyard. February 18, 1960 With the flight deck under construction, Constellation begins to take form at the New York Naval Shipyard, Naval Base, Brooklyn, New York. ..inged mast to pass under the Brooklyn Bridge, USS Constellation departs the New York Naval Shipyard bound for homeport San Diego, California. . mmm

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mm Constel laXionLegacy 200 Years of SteUar Naval Tradition In the late 1700s, the founders of our then fledg- ling nation sought to build a navy that would strengthen America during a turbulent era. To unite the citizens with their sailors, the founding fathers chose conspicuously patriotic names for the first naval vessels, names like Constitu- tion, President, Congress, Chesapeake, and United States. The very first christened warship was given the name revered most by the early leaders. Constellation. A name coined because the first patriots of our nation gave their blood and soul for the constellation of thirteen stars emblazoned on the early American flag. The United States Frigate Constellation was built by master designer David Stoddard. He changed the War Department ' s plans for Constellation in several significant ways. He incorporated a much sharper bow as well as constructing the ship to . ,. . . . carry 38 cannons An enlisted crew cap from . ■ -. .. ... .7. . mstead of the 36 she the historic frigate jg From the peak of her skyscraping mainmast to the solid construction of her wooden deck was a distance of 1 80 feet. Her length was five feet less. Her crew consisted of 309 adventurous men. On September 7, 1797, two hundred years ago. Constel- lation slid down the ways into the Patapsco River. Her reputation for speed, resulting from her clipper lines, earned her the nickname of Yankee Racehorse. On a day of open winds and calm seas she could attain the thrilling speed of 13 knots while sailing under nearly an acre of canvas sail. The construction of the Yankee Racehorse was com- pleted just in time, because in June 1798, the United States was already involved in its first naval hostilities, an undeclared war with France. The outstanding American achievement in this quasi- war came on February 9, 1799 in West Indian waters when Constellation, under the command of Captain Painting of the first Constellation as she appeared in 1797. Thomas Truxton, fought and captured the 40-gun French frigate L ' Insurgente, which at the time was reputed as being the fastest ship in the French Navy and the world. It was the first battle fought by one of the original six frigates. In the battle which lasted 75 minutes, 29 Frenchmen were killed and 41 wounded, compared to only one dead and three-wounded on the Yankee Racehorse. When news of this victori- ous battle reached America, there was celebration every- where, and the battle tested crew and their fearless leader were given heroes ' wel- comes. The heroes on Constellation continued to sail into history with victories in the Barbary wars, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. At the turn of the 20th century and through World War I, Constellation was activated as a training sh ip for the indoctrination of new Sailors. In World War II, she was designated the Atlantic Fleet Flagship. Finally, after an illustrious history spanning 157 years, the treasured warship was released from active commissioned service on Febru- ary 4, 1955 and later berthed in Baltimore, Maryland. But the United States Navy was not going to be without a legendary Constellation upon the open seas. On October 27, 1961, the United States Ship Constellation was commissioned to perpetuate the proud tradition envisioned by the country ' s founding fathers over two hundred years ago. In the words of Captain Truxton to his young crew, On the ocean is our field to reap fresh laurels; let the capstan, then be well manned... The crew of today ' s Constellation continues the proud fulfillment of these words, pledging to sail forth and to follow the stars. An original fourteen-inch copper spike rests In planking used during the construction of the 1797 Constellation

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7a Ha AUGUST 14, 1963 The catapult officer on the flight deck of CVA-64 gives the pilot of an A-4C aircraft the signal to take off. JULY 13, 1963 A Terrier missile fires from Constellation in exercises conducted off the coast of Okinawa. 8