Navy's 1812 Overture

Navy at Natick helps outfit crew of USS Constitution with historically authentic uniforms

The NCTRF's impressive staff includes engineers, chemists, physical scientists, textile technologists, clothing designers, anthropologists, and physical science technicians.

Commander Christopher Melhuish, who departed from the ship on July 30, was the driving force behind the new uniforms. He wanted the uniforms to closely resemble those of the crew during the War of 1812, which took place from 1812 to 1815.

The laboratory researches, designs, develops, tests, and evaluates materials and patterns for all dress uniforms, utility garments and protective clothing used by Navy personnel.

The facility also serves other military services, government agencies, academia and industry.

The facility has a longstanding relationship with the USS Constitution, which is moored in Boston, Mass. The NCTRF aids in the design and production of the ship's uniforms.

The current project is the brainchild of former USS Constitution Commander Christopher Melhuish. The commander, who departed from the ship on July 30, wanted the uniforms to closely resemble those of the crew during the War of 1812, which took place from 1812 to 1815.

According to the ship's executive officer, Lt. Michael Summers, "Commander Melhuish conducted extensive research with the Naval Historical Center (Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.), the U. S. Naval Academy Museum, and the USS Constitution Museum to find historically accurate uniform patterns for both the officers and crew from the 1812 era."

Summers stated that "Specifically, we used the uniforms outlined at the establishment of Navy Uniform Regulations on 23 November 1813. The uniforms the crew wear are as accurate as we can determine from historic records."

The uniform details, right down to the buttons, are the result of this meticulous research. The commander went as far as not allowing crew members to iron the new uniforms, since the War of 1812 crew would have been unable to do so. And since the uniforms are now part of Navy Uniform Regulations, they cannot be altered in the future.

Based on the research, NCTRF personnel-specifically Donna Zlotnick, Tatyana Gitin, and Rosalba Palumbo-worked with Neptune Manufacturing of Boston to make up preproduction sample coats to be approved by the commander.

NCTRF personnel custom-fit the coats for the commander, executive officer, and two chief petty officers. Meanwhile, coats for the approximately 60 crew members were based on standard sizing. The coats were constructed of the same materials as the Navy peacoat.

The team was proud to have had the opportunity to participate in such an important historical project.

According to Zlotnick, "Our work usually entails current naval uniform pattern and prototype development and modifications. When the USS Constitution calls and tells you we want you to redesign the officers and enlisted coats (based on historical documentation), you know this is going to be a very special project. We were fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to help finally establish the official naval uniforms for the oldest commissioned ship in the Navy! A chance like that doesn't come around too often!"

According to Summers, "Wearing the historically accurate uniform helps to really put the officers and crew in touch with all that we've read and learned about life on board during the War of 1812. The incorporation of these uniforms into modern Navy Uniform Regulations helps to educate those in the Navy about their heritage."

The USS Constitution, which was named by George Washington, was built between the years 1794 and 1797. The ship was catapulted into glory during the War of 1812, when it earned its nickname "Old Ironsides" (see historical sidebar). During the war, the USS Constitution played a pivotal role in reestablishing free sea travel and free trade.

Lt. Michael Summers believes that the new uniforms will help the crew become more aware of their rich naval heritage

Local author Oliver Wendell Holmes later wrote a poem about the ship called "Old Ironsides," (see sidebar). Holmes wrote the poem in 1830 after a local publication misreported that the Navy wanted to scrap the ship. The poem generated public support for the ship, which the Navy later paid to refurbish. In 1934, the USS Constitution began its current duty in Boston as America's Ship, representing the nation's proud naval heritage.

Chief Petty Officer Mark Johnson looks dapper in his top hat. The hat is one of the uniform features that indicates his rank

Zlotnick, Gitin, Palumbo have helped to preserve an invaluable part of our nation's history. Their efforts, combined with Melhuish's vision and dedication, have ensured that current and future generations of visitors will have the opportunity to experience our nation's great naval history firsthand.

July 17, 1812

The war was hardly a month old when the USS Constitution, on the way from Chesapeake Bay to New York, met up with a squadron of five British ships. Her escape is now legendary. With both sides becalmed and just out of gunnery range, there ensued what amounted to a three-day, slow-speed chase.

The USS Constitution's crew kept her ahead of the English by rowing (known to Sailors as the "white ash breeze"), by attempting to tow her with the ship's boats.

This present-day sailor looks out onto the sea, just as his predecessors have done on this great ship for hundreds of years.

Then her First Lieutenant (XO), Lt. Charles Morris, suggested a procedure known as "kedging," in which an anchor is carried out ahead of the ship, dropped, and the ship drawn up to it.

This back-breaking task was carried out and when a breeze sprang up at dawn the Constitution was far enough ahead of her pursuers to escape by sail.

Aug. 19, 1812

The fight with HMS Guerriere took place some 600 miles east of Boston during the afternoon. After an hour of inconclusive maneuvering and shooting, the two settled down to a short-range slugfest. After 20 minutes, the British ship's mizzenmast fell. A while later, both her remaining masts went overboard. At some point in the battle, someone is said to have seen British shot bouncing off the USS Constitution's side, and shouted, "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron.' And so was born the nickname "Old Ironsides." The Americans had 14 casualties; the British, 79. Guerriere was so badly damaged, she had to be sunk. Congress awarded Captain Isaac Hull a gold medal.

Dec. 29, 1812

The USS Constitution was about 30 miles off Brazil when, at about 2 p.m., she began a fight with the faster HMS Java. American Commodore William Bainbridge was wounded twice, and the ship's wheel was shot away, but for more than two hours he maneuvered brilliantly and fought tenaciously until, finally, the Java had no masts left standing and her captain lay dying. This time, there were 34 American casualties as opposed to around 150 British. Like Guerriere, Java was too badly damaged to bring home-but before sinking her, Bainbridge had her wheel removed to replace the one she shot away. Commodore Bainbridge also received a gold medal.

February 1813

The USS Constitution returned to Boston, where there was great rejoicing over her victory. The ship then underwent an overhaul. When again ready to fight, 'Old lronsides' was shut in the Boston harbor for eight and a half months by the strenuous British blockade except for a short cruise under Captain Charles Stewart. Finally, taking advantage of bad weather and poor visibility in December 1814, Captain Stewart slipped past the enemy.

Chief Petty Officer Mark Johnson shows the ship's name on the top hat.

February-April 1814

The USS Constitution captures the schooner Pictou and three smaller vessels during cruise to Windward Islands.

The ship escapes into Marblehead while being chased by two larger British frigates.

April to December 1814

Old Ironsides is blockaded at Boston for eight months.

) The executive officer's uniform jacket has one gold shoulder epaulet, whereas the commander's has two

Feb. 20, 1815

Captain Charles Stewart had the USS Constitution about 180 miles from Madeira Island on the afternoon of 20 February 1815. He came upon the British men-of-war Cyane and Levant. The one-against-two fight began as the sun was setting. By adept sail handling, Stewart swiftly closed on Cyane and almost completely destroyed her masts and rigging. Then he blasted Levant enough to put her out of action for a while during which time he closed again on the Cyane and forced her to surrender. After putting a prize crew in her, he turned his attention again to the Levant, chasing her until she had no choice but to surrender. Stewart had four killed and 14 wounded. His two opponents had 35 dead and at least 42 wounded. He hoped to bring his two captures home, but ran into a British squadron that retook Levant while the USS Constitution and Cyane returned safely to New York. HMS Cyane later became USS Cyane. Captain Stewart received a gold medal from Congress.

May 15, 1815

Captain Stewart, having learned that the war was over, sailed for home and anchored Constitution in New York. Her war service had ended but she had played a truly glorious part in establishing our freedom of the seas.