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Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Howard, Thomas Benton, RADM USN(Ret).
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Born in Illinois, Howard received an at-large appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1873. During his career he served under George Dewey at the Battle of Manila Bay and successively commanded USS Chesapeake, USS Nevada, USS Olympia, USS Tennessee, and USS Ohio (BB-12). As captain of USS Ohio, he sailed around the world with the Great White Fleet in 1908-1909.
In January 1914, Howard was appointed commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. In 1915, he became the fifth full admiral in the history of the U.S. Navy when the three commanders in chief of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Asiatic Fleets were each advanced to the temporary rank of full admiral. Upon relinquishing command of the Pacific Fleet in September 1915, Howard reverted to his permanent rank of rear admiral.
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Frigate:
Order, 27 March 1794, designed by Josha Humphreys and Josiah Fox whose plans were altered by David Stodder
Built at the Strerett Shipyard, Harris Creek, Fells Point, Baltimore, MD. by David Stodder, and the superintendent of shipbuilding, Captain Thomas Truxtun
Launched 7 September 1797
Under the command of CAPT. Thomas Truxtun, USF Constellation sailed for the West Indies 17 December 1798, to protect the United States' commerce
Her baptism of fire came, 9 February 1799, when she captured the French 40-gun frigate L'Insurgente in battle off Nevis, West Indies
Constellation in succeeding months, she also seized two French privateers, Diligent and Union
On the evening of 1 February 1800 Constellation engaged the 52-gun frigate Vengeance, although badly mauled Vengence was able to escape under cover of darkness
Constellation joined the Mediterranean Squadron participating in the blockade of Tripoli in May 1802
Returning to the States in November 1805, Constellation moored at Washington where she was placed in ordinary
After extensive repairs in 1812-1813 Constellation, CAPT. Charles Stewart, in command, was dispatched to Hampton Roads
In January 1813 the Frigate blockaded the British fleet making it impossible for them to reach the open sea
During the war against the Barbary powers Constellation, attached to the Mediterranean Squadron, under Commodore Stephen Decatur participated in the capture of the Algerian frigate Mashuda, 17 June 1815
Constellation remained with the squadron until returning to Hampton Roads in December 1817
From 12 November 1819 to 24 April 1820 Constellation served as flagship of COMO. Charles Morris on the Brazil Station
On 25 July 1820, she sailed joined Pacific Squadron of COMO. Charles Stewart.
In 1827, Constellation acted briefly as flagship for the West India Squadron on a twofold mission involving the eradication pirates and the interception of slavers
August 1829, she cruised the Mediterranean to watch over American shipping and to collect indemnities from previous losses suffered by U.S. merchantmen
Returning to the United States in November 1831, for minor repairs and returning to the Mediterranean in April 1832, until an outbreak of cholera forced her to sail for home in November 1834
In October 1835, Constellation sailed for the Gulf of Mexico to assist in crushing the Seminole uprising
She then cruised with the West India Squadron until 1838 serving part of this period as flagship for COMO. Alexander Dallas
During the 1840's Constellation circumnavigate the globe as flagship of CAPT. Kearny and the East India Squadron
En route home in May 1843 she entered the Hawaiian Islands, helping to keep them from becoming a British protectorate
Constellation was ultimately laid up in ordinary at Norfolk from 1845 to 1853
Final Disposition, broken up at Norfolk in 1853
