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USS UNITED STATES model
More
heavily armed but considerably faster than the USS
Constitution
USS
United States was the first of six frigates to be
launched and commissioned into the United States
Navy. In fact,
she was commissioned even before she was launched by the
order of George Washington.
About the
USS United States
wooden model ship:
- Built from scratch over
hundreds of hours by master artisans
- High quality woods include cherry, birch, maple and
rosewood
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Plank-on-frame
construction: two layers
of plank
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Copper-plated bottom:
individual copper pieces that were weathered unevenly to
create a realistic look (no shiny copper paint, no fake lines.)
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Blackened metal cannons and wooden carriage.
Under the main deck, all guns are "real" guns which
have proper barrels and wooden carriages which sit on 2
real decks under the main deck. These
guns are not simple barrels inserted into a solid hull
like in a cheap model.
- Authentic Extensive rigging system comprised of many
different sizes of rope and features numerous blocks and
deadeyes
- Sails: soft, realistic.
No dark trim, no bright white, no uniform shape like
plastic.
- Full length masts and bowsprit per construction plans
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About the USS United States:
The
frigate USS United States was different from her
sisters President and Constitution. One difference
was that she had a poop deck and roundhouse on the
stern.
The USS
United States also had “diagonals” within her
design. These were massive timbers of six pairs that
extended from the ends of the ship, down to the keel
in diagonal lines. These timbers prevent the ship
from hogging.
United States was more heavily armed than the
USS Constitution. Her armament consisted of 32
24-pounders plus 2 bow-chasers. She carried 24
42-pounder carronades when going into the War of
1812.
Even though the USS United States carried heavier
guns, she was considerably faster than
Constitution. She could reach an
impressive speed was 13 ½ knots. In his journal during the Quasi
War With France, LT John Mullowney mentioned many
times about pulling away from the Constitution.
The
USS United States served America valiantly in the
two wars with the French and England.
At the
time the civil war broke out, when
the Confederate troops were entering the town, the
Union fire crews did not burn the USS United States,
and the Confederates commissioned
the frigate CSS United States.
The
CSS United States served the Confederates well and
in May 1862, was sunk to form an obstruction to
Union vessels coming into the navy yard. The
timbers of the ship was so strong that it took one
full box of axes to scuttle her.
HMS Macedonian vs. USS
United States:
The United States was commanded by Stephen
Decatur. Decatur had made a name for himself when he
boarded the captured Philadelphia and burned
her. In Admiral Nelson's view, it was "the
most daring act of the age."
On the morning of Oct. 25th 1812, at 8:30 a.m., when the two ships 1 mile apart, the Macedonian
fired 3 ranging shots which fell short. The
United States answered with a broadside from her
24-pounders that had some effect. Then the
American ship resumed her original course increasing
the distance between the two ships. At this distance
the advantage would be in the American's favor
because they were using the heavier 24-pounders. From this position the Macedonian was
slowly shot to pieces. The British frigate lost her
mizzen top mast, main yard and top sail. Despite
this damage the British crew fought on for thirty
minutes more. Eventually, both the top masts
and the whole of the mizzen mast came crashing down.
The
United States sailed past the bow of the Macedonian
and did not fire a shot, instead pulled away and
made some repairs. After approximately one
hour the American ship returned and the British ship
struck her colors. The British losses were 36
dead and 68 wounded. The American losses were 7 dead
and 5 wounded.
Commodore
Decatur decided that bringing the Macedonian into
port would be a boost to the American war effort. They made the necessary repairs and brought the
captured British frigate into port where many
Americans came to see her and cheered.
Dimensions and prices:
39" L x 33" T x 12" W $4,790 Crating,
shipping,
and insurance in the contiguous US included (about $600
value.) Other
places: $600 flat rate.
28"
L x
22" T x 8" W $3,990
Crating, shipping, and insurance
in the contiguous US included (about $400 value.). Other places: $400 flat
rate.
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Illuminate the model in a
special occasion, dimly lit room:
$300 Powered by a
standard 9v battery placed under the base for your
convenience. This option is only available on the larger
model. |
Model is built per commission only. We require only
a small deposit (not full amount, not even half) to start the process $900  The
remaining balance won't be due until the model is
completed,
in several months.
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Please click here for an admiralty
style model (37" L x 15" T x 7" W):
USS United States
For display case, please
click here:
Model Ship Display Case
Be sure to check out our beautiful
and authentic
USS Constitution
model, USS Essex model,
USS Constellation model,
and the rare TNS Austin model.
Learn more about the USS
United States here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_United_States_(1797)
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