USS Constellation Adventure
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USS Constellation
The sloop of war Constellation was built in 1854. The original Constellation, a frigate, was broken up in 1853 after fifty-six years of service in the U.S. Navy.
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A View of the Bow
The ship itself is 186 feet long.
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Toe the line!!!
Powder monkeys, or ship's boys, and landsmen (adults)signed on for a three year tour of duty. Our crew was immediately welcomed by being yelled at for not standing in a straight line.
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Preparing the Capstan
Landsmen insert levers into the capstan, a device used for lifting heavy loads on board the ship.
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Turning the Capstan
Powder monkeys prepare to "get their backs into it" by turning the capstan to lift a 300-400 pound barrel.
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Orientation
Gunner's Mate Smith orients his watch to the orlop deck, where cargo and supplies would be stored.
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The Hold
Participants view the hold which currently contains the original ballast in the form of pig iron bars, weighing over 250 pounds apiece.
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The Berth Deck
Able-Bodied Seaman Davies shows the new crew members where they will be sleeping. Enlisted sailors had little privacy or room to themselves.
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The Gun Deck
The Gun Deck is located directly below the spar deck. Normally, the guns would have been kept inside, and the gunports would be closed.
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The Captain's Stateroom
Students were able to draw comparisons between the social status of the enlisted sailors and the captain by comparing their quarters.
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Bracing the Yards for a Port Tack
Landsmen and powder monkeys operate the mechanism that turns the spars in order to catch the wind.
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Bracing the Yards for a Starboard Tack
This activity taught the importance of teamwork and synchronization to avoiding ripping sails. (It took quite a few tries.)
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Visiting the Head
Students survey the head of the ship, which once provided the "facilities." Let's hear it for modern technology!
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The Ship's Galley
This table was set for an 1854-style meal of heavily salted meats and fish, as well as hard-tack and other dried foods. Our actual dinner was much better!
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Hard at Work
After the evening meal and bracing the yards, students participated in a scavenger hunt. Then they went to work on extensive note-taking and reflection about the different parts of the ship.
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Galley Reflection
Students worked in rotating groups in five different areas of the ship. This group examines the differences between ship's food and cooking compared to that on land.
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Down in the Hold
Students write about their observations of the orlop deck and strive to develop their figurative language skills.
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Sack Time, 1854-Style!
Students claim their hammocks for the night. Keeping warm was important, since the ship has no heat!
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Ready to Hit the Hay!
Crew members were tired after all of their hard work, but very excited as well!
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A Little Light Reading!
This powder monkey appears to be picking out his new hairdo!
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Ship Shape!
Before being served breakfast the next morning, the crew had to perform their morning chores, including swabbing the deck. All of this followed a night of very little sleep on the drafty berth deck.
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Make it Shine!
The ship's bell, used to call sailors and signal drills, was polished to a fine shine by these outstanding crew members.
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More maintenance!
Powder monkeys polished the lower capstan.
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Keep the Captain Happy!
These crew members polished the captain's fine furniture while their stomachs rumbled.
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Morning Mess
Finally! After about an hour of hard work, breakfast was served! It wasn't a fine delicacy, but it was warm, ready to eat, and served with a smile!
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Gun Drill
Following breakfast, the crew assembled for a gun drill. Gunner's Mate Smith instructed us in the fine art of blowing things up 1854-style. It was far less than an exact science, and hallmarked by noise, hard labor, and danger.
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Prepare to Fire!
Gunner's Mate Smith orders his crew to haul the cannon into position for loading.
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Aligning the Gun
Seaman Davies' crew works to prepare their gun for loading and firing.
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Load the Charge!
Two landsmen rush to load the powder charge and projectile into the barrel of their gun.
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FIRE ONE!
Covering their ears and opening their mouths helped to equalize the pressure produced by the gun's blast. Failing to do so may have meant saying goodbye to your eardrums and teeth.
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FIRE TWO!
Sticking out your tongue was not part of the drill!
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The Parrot Rifle
The Parrot Rifle was loaded with black powder and wadding and fired at the conclusion of our adventure.
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The Adventure Comes to an End...
The newly-trained crew is ready to sail the high seas (or go home and take a nap)!
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