War of 1812: USS Constitution Victorious!

April 19, 1812 - Battling 400 miles southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, USS Constitution defeats HMS Guerriere (left) in one of the opening naval battles of the War of 1812. Constitution's victory was the first in a series of stunning single-ship triumphs for the US Navy during the early months of the conflict. Built of strong live oak and designed to be superior to any of their British counterparts, the US Navy's heavy frigates repeatedly out-dueled the enemy. Following this string of defeats, the Royal Navy forbade its frigate captains to engage the US ships on equal terms.

Photograph Courtesy of the US Naval Historical Center