The USS Constitution earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” partly due to the strength of what tree?
Live oak
White pine
American elm
Black walnut
Fact: USS Constitution, famously nicknamed “Old Ironsides,” was built using exceptionally strong live oak in key parts of its hull and framing. During the War of 1812, British cannonballs were reportedly seen bouncing off the ship’s thick wooden sides, inspiring a sailor to exclaim that her sides were “made of iron.” Live oak, prized for its density, strength, and natural resistance to rot, was an important material in early American shipbuilding. Launched in 1797, USS Constitution remains the world’s oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.
Correct Answer: Live oak