Author Description

After seventeen years of additional research and study, Tyrone G. Martin - captain of the USS Constitution during the nation's bicentennial celebrations - offers this revised and expanded edition of his famous ship's story, called "definitive" when the book first appeared in 1980. This new update commemorates the ship's own bicentennial: Constitution was launched in 1797 in Boston Harbor, where she is now preserved as a museum. In this edition the author confirms for the first time that the innovative diagonal riders that ensured the frigate's long life were present at the ship's launching. And he provides details about the ship's participation in battles that have long been ignored or glossed over in official reports. Pictorial battle diagrams based on new research have also been added. The book not only tells Constitution's complete story, but also presents a picture of life in the U.S. Navy during the nineteenth century - its proud moments and those that caused concern. The author includes some fascinating details on the organization, care, feeding, and disciplining of a crew, as well as about events serious, humorous, and tragic that involved such famous names in American naval history as Edward Preble and Stephen Decatur. Just as the original edition was a sought-after source of pleasure and information, this updated study will appeal to everyone who enjoys a good sea story along with historians, students, sailing ship enthusiasts, and ship modelers.