USS
CONSTELLATION - AMERICAN - 1854
Launched on the 26 August 1854, and commissioned 28 July 1855,
with Captain Charles H. Bell in command. From 1855 to 1858,
USS Constellation performed largely diplomatic duties as part
of the US Mediterranean Squadron. She was flagship of the
US African Squadron from 1859 to 1861.
USS Constellation disrupted the African slave trade by interdicting
three slave ships and releasing the imprisoned slaves. She
was also use extensively as a training ship for Naval Academy
midshipmen. She also served as relief flagship for the Admiral
of the Atlantic Fleet during World War II. She is the last
existing Civil War era naval vessel and the last sail-powered
warship built by the U.S. Navy. She has been in Baltimore
since 1955. A nine million dollar restoration project was
completed in 1999. USS Constellation is a National Historic
Landmark.
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