| known as 'Old Ironsides,' is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named after the United States Constitutional act, she is the oldest commissioned ship afloat in the world. This ship was one of the six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and was launched in 1797. Joshua Humphreys designed them to be the Navy's capital ships and so this ship and her sisters were larger and more heavily armed than the standard frigates of the period. In 1917 she was renamed to Old Constitutionn, to free the name for a new Constitutionn, a Lexington-class battle cruiser that was never completed. She resumed the name Constitutionn in 1925 after the new hull was canceled. In early 1941, Constitutionn was assigned the hull classification symbol IX-21[4] (the 'IX' hull code stands for 'Unclassified Miscellaneous'), but was reclassified to 'none' on 1 September 1975.[2] The modern day role of 'Old Ironsides' is that of 'ship of state'. The crew of 55 sailors participates in ceremonies, educational programs and special events (including sail drill) while keeping the ship open to visitors year-round and providing free tours. The crew are all active-duty sailors in the Navy and the assignment is considered a special duty. Traditionally, the duty of captain of the vessel is assigned to an active duty Navy commander. | 
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