A historic piece of the USS Constitution, America’s oldest commissioned warship, has found a new home at Fort Sewall. The original segment of the ship’s bowsprit, weighing approximately 1,500 pounds, was recently installed at the fort, creating a tangible link between the town and the iconic vessel.
The wooden relic, measuring about eight feet in length, was donated to Marblehead by former.US Navy Commander David H. Smith. He received the bowsprit — a pole that extends from the front of a ship’s bow, allowing the attachment of sails and rigging — during the ship’s 1995 restoration. This installation brings the artifact full circle, as Marblehead played a crucial role in the Constitution’s history.
Pam Peterson, chair of the Marblehead Historical Commission, highlighted the significance of the location.
“It’s appropriate that it be at Fort Sewell. The fort was the reason that the Constitution was saved, because the British that were chasing the Constitution were afraid to come into the harbor, come past the fort,” Peterson said.
The USS Constitution, launched in 1797 and affectionately known as “Old Ironsides,” made three notable visits to Marblehead throughout its history. The first, in 1814, was particularly dramatic. Peterson recounted, “The Constitution’s first visit to Marblehead in 1814 happened on unfortunate terms. It was being chased by two British warships and had to find refuge into Marblehead Harbor for safety.”
Since the British were unfamiliar with the area, they eventually retreated, and the ship was saved from inevitable destruction.
The ship returned to Marblehead in 1931 as part of a world-wide thank you tour following its renovation, which was funded by donations from children across the country. Its final visit occurred in 1997, celebrating the ship’s 200th birthday.
The journey of the bowsprit segment from Abbot Hall’s basement to Fort Sewall was no small feat. Peterson described the moving process as “a huge production,” involving rigger Chris Pappas and coordinated with the help of Fire Chief Jason Gilliland.
“Jason helped coordinate the whole operation. He was very nice about it,” Peterson said. “It had sort of stalled for a while, and then someone suggested I contact him.”
She added, “He was just so pleasant about it.” Peterson said the Fort Sewall installation will receive signage and further covering to shield it from the weather.
The relocation has cleared the way for a new Sign Museum in Abbot Hall’s basement. Peterson expressed enthusiasm about the progress: “All the signs have been hung and the space has been painted. Now we have an interactive video installed, and a floor map showing the locations of most of the signs.”
