Interested in joining? To get started, click here to download our Recruit Packet!

In April of 1861 the separation of the southern states from the United States Finally erupted into open warfare. The northern states, finding that declaring war would give recognition to the Confederate Sates of America that the South had organized as a sovereign nation, instead declared the southern states in rebellion and carried out the war, nonetheless. The overall northern plan was to use the navy to blockade the Atlantic and Gulf coasts while also using riverine forces to choke off the South. Meanwhile the armies would invade to capture the southern capital of Richmond at the same time advancing southward through the western states. Little did either side know that this “war of rebellion” would become the bloodiest and most costly war in American history.

When the war erupted USS Constellation was the flagship for the North Atlantic Squadron intercepting slave ships off the coast of Africa. While in this capacity more slaves were freed than at any other time in enforcing the stop of the slave trade. This two-year mission was shortened by a few months in 1861 with the news that the country was now at war. However, since the home port of Gosport Virginia was now in Confederate hands, the ship was ordered to proceed to Kittery Maine. Here the ship was refurbished and command was given to Commodore Henry Thatcher. Her new orders were to proceed to the Mediterranean Sea to “show the flag” and protect American shipping from any foreign power willing to take advantage of the disunion of the country. Fortunately for historic knowledge, Yeoman Moses Safford who servde the ship during this cruise was a lawyer who kept a detailed diary of all that occurred on the voyage for the next two years. Although this ship did not participate in any real combat action, she still served her country well and by the course of events has become the sole remaining ship of the Civil War era.

Ships Company, Inc. was founded in 1981 as a group of volunteers who shared an interest in the naval period during the age of sail. At the time Constellation was mistakenly identified as the original ship of that name who serve the country from 1787 to 1853. Assuming this identity to be true, Ships Company began interpretation on board of the combat years of the original ship of 1799-1800. While this assumption was false, the organization carried out extensive research using contacts both local and abroad thus achieving a remarkably stellar reputation among naval authorities and institutions. They became consultants for numerous naval projects including working with USS Constitution, the brig Niagara, and even performed gun drill on board HMS Victory in 1985.

Controversy over the true identity of the ship reached its climax in 1996 when the ship was condemned by the US Navy due to structural deterioration. Appeals to the Maryland State Legislature led to an agreement to save the ship provided that it was to be preserved as the 1854 sloop of war that it actually was and that private donations had to equal state and local grants until enough funds were generated to fully restore the ship correctly. In carrying out this task, Ships Company was instrumental in raising funds as they also changed their image from the Quasi-War period to that of the American Civil War.

In 1999 the ship returned to Baltimore Harbor in its true representation as a 20 gun sloop of war. Ships Company was designated as the official historic body to represent and interpret the ship. Since that time, the ship has undergone many restorative changes that have made it a tourist destination well worth the effort. Ships Company has not only continued its reputation but increased its interpretation on board and at other naval institutions around the country.

As with any organization, despite its well-researched uniforms, equipment, deportment, and activities, it need participants to continue its operations. The group stands ready to assist and welcome all interested comers who would like to join and preserve naval history while being able to continue serving one of the great ships of the US Navy.