An item dated Paris, France 13th reported the arrival of the American 54-gun frigate USS Constitution in the roads of Marseille, France. It was part of the American squadron anchored on the Taag, Portugal which supported the American demand of 250.000 dollars to compensate her civilians. In fact was it a compensation for an American privateer which was captured in 1812 by the Royal Navy in Portuguese territorial waters during the war between the USA and England. The USA claimed that Portugal was at that time neutral and should have prevent the capture.(1)
Note
1. Her building was ordered on 1 March 1794, laid down at the shipyard of Edmund Hartt, Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 1 November 1794, launched on 21 October 1979, renamed Old Constitution in 1917, retained her original name in 1925, still existing, building costs 302.718 US dollars, tonnage 1.576 tons, displacement 2.200 tons and as dimensions 175 (waterline)-304 (bowsprit-spanker) x 43.6 x 21 (fore)-23 (aft) feet or 53 x 93 x 13,26 x 6,4-7,0 metres. Armament 450 men (1979). Armament of 30-24pd long guns, 2-24pd bow chasers and 20-32pd carronades.
