Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:31:33-4:31:49

Keel-hauling and the limits of USS Constellation's record

The answer separates a documented period punishment from an unverified claim about its use aboard USS Constellation.

Age Of SailKeel HaulingNaval DisciplineUSS Constellation 1797
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Question

Did the keel-hauling mentioned in a song actually occur aboard USS Constellation?

Short answer

The panel could not confirm Constellation's punishment record, although keel-hauling did appear in naval disciplinary procedures of the period.

Notes

No USS Constellation-specific punishment record was available in the discussion. The panel therefore did not confirm the incident described in the song. Keel-hauling did appear as a stated punishment in naval procedures of the period. That distinction prevents a documented general practice from being treated as proof of a particular event aboard one ship.