COMMODORE
ISAAC HULL
U.S.S. CONSTITUTION
"OLD IRONSIDES"
WAR OF 1812
Watch a short presentation about Isaac Hull made by Derby Historical
Director Julia Baldini on the
occasion of the issuance of the 2012 U.S.S. Constitution stamp
Isaac
Hull was born in Derby in 1773. His father was a sea captain and Isaac
learned his nautical skills in Derby before joining the merchant service
and commanding his first ship at the age of 19. When the new United States
Navy was created in 1798, Isaac Hull was appointed a lieutenant on one of
the four ships built for the new navy.
When Hull attained the rank of
captain in the American Navy, he was put in command of the
U.S.S. Constitution. On Aug. 19, 1812 the
Constitution
became engaged in a battle with the Guerriere, an English Navy vessel.
Within one half hour, the
Constitution had won the battle, making it the
first naval win for the U.S. during the War of 1812.
Hull had used his heavier broadsides and his ship’s superior sailing
ability, while the British, to their astonishment, saw that their shot
seemed to rebound harmlessly off Constitution’s hull — giving her
the nickname 'Old Ironsides'. This battle marked the first time in
history that an English frigate had struck its flag to an American ship of
war.
Hull went on to command the Portsmouth Naval Yard and
build the USS Washington, the largest American battleship ever built
to that time. Hull was Promoted to commodore in 1823. After Portsmouth he
commanded the Pacific squadron, the Washington Navy Yard, and the
Mediterranean squadron.
The U.S.S. Constitution
is the oldest commissioned battleship in the
U.S. Navy and is still on display in Boston Harbor.
For more information,
use the following links:
Listen to a song about
the battle and Commodore Hull's leadership by
clicking
here.
Visit the official site
for "Old Ironsides" by
clicking here.
Read the poem "Old
Ironsides" by Oliver Wendell Holmes by
clicking here
Commodore Hull Bridge
The Route 8 bridge between Derby and Shelton
is named for him, and there is an annual
5K road race between Shelton and Derby named for him.
