Old Ironsides: Eagle of the Sea

Russell Bellico
"A fascinating and well-documented story of America's most celebrated warship...a superb work."

Book Description
This is the story of the oldest warship afloat in the world, the venerable frigate U.S.S. Constitution, Later used as a training ship and for goodwill tours around the globe, the ship was brought to Boston and restored, whete it remains today as a floating museum.

From the Inside Flap
This is the story of the oldest war ship afloat in the world, the venerable frigate U.S.S. Constitution, the cornerstone of the nascent American navy created by an act of Congress in 1794. Having seen its first action against Barbary pirates in 1803-05, the ship went on to heroics during the War of 1812, during which it acquired the nickname "Old Ironsides" after a British sailor observed a cannon ball bouncing off its side. Later used as a training ship and for good will tours around the globe, the ship was ultimately brought to Boston and restored, where it remains today as a floating museum and enduring symbol of the Age of Sail. In Old Ironsides, Col. David Fitz-Enz tells the complete story of the ship, from its "breeched" birth to the ongoing restoration efforts that keep it active today.

About the Author
Colonel David G. Fitz-Enz is a decorated army officer (retired) and the author of two previous books, The Final Invasion and Why A Soldier? Now vice-president of Cannonade Films, he lives in Onchiota, New York.


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"This is the story of the oldest warship afloat in the world, the venerable frigate USS Constitution, the cornerstone of the nascent American navy created by act of Congress in 1794. "Old Ironsides" was officially launched in 1798, but her birth was a "breech"; she got stuck in the launch chute not once but twice - an ironic beginning for what is arguably the most famous ship on earth." "To set the stage for the dominance of this remarkable vessel, military historian Colonel David Fitz-Enz re-creates the world of sail, when seven knots an hour was considered blinding speed for a warship. He describes the United States' attempt to establish a seven-seas navy during its first one hundred years, a priority for the young nation before it turned its back on Europe and concentrated on western expansion." Having seen its first action against Barbary pirates in 1803-05, the USS Constitution went on to heroics during the War of 1812, where it acquired the nickname "Old Ironsides" after a British sailor observed a cannonball bouncing off its side. Later used as a training ship and for goodwill tours around the globe, the ship was ultimately brought to Boston and restored, where it remains today as a floating museum and enduring symbol of the Age of Sail. In Old Ironsides Fitz-Enz tells the complete story of the ship, from its construction to the ongoing restoration efforts that keep it active today.


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