USS Constellation

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Docked in the northwest corner of the harbor, the magnificent USS Constellation is a sloop-of-war, a National Historic Landmark, and the last sail-only warship designed and built by the United States Navy.

She was built in 1854, using a small amount of material salvaged from the 1797 frigate USS Constellation, which had been disassembled the year before. Before the Civil War, the Constellation was used to intercept slaving vessels. Although the U.S. had outlawed the importation of slaves in 1808, many illegal ships still tried to transport human beings to America’s shores. At the onset of the Civil War, the Constellation was involved in the U.S. Navy's first capture on May 21, 1861, when she captured a ship known as the “Triton,” an illegal slave ship.

The USS Constellation remained in service for many years after the Civil War. She provided aid relief during the Irish famine, sailed in World War II as a flag ship, and for two decades was used as a training ship for the United States Navy. She was the last sailboat in the U.S. Naval Fleet.

In 1968, the ship was relocated to the Inner Harbor as part of the city’s urban renewal plan. Since then, the ship has undergone several multi-million dollar renovations, and today, the USS Constellation is open to tour. Visitors can walk all four decks, talk to crew members, and even participate in a cannon drill.