In 1797, 1:15, the 10th of May; The cannon roared. The people cheered. The first was on its way. In all her majestic splendor her bulk slid down the ways, to the Delaware’s surrender, her heavy body swayed. The USS UNITED STATES, Old Waggon she became; from the City of Philadelphia she sailed the seas to fame.

She sported copper cladding supplied by Paul Revere. Her artwork carved by William Rush her thick green timbers geered. captained by old John Barry of revolutionary years to protect our merchantmen from French and Algerian privateers.

But during the War of 1812 her height peaked her career, when she met the pride of the British; MACEDONIAN, a ship to fear. Royal Navy’s John S. Carden was commanding on that day, thought Old Waggon was the Essex, a price he soon would pay.

Stephen Decatur was commanding UNITED STATES in pursuit. The two ships pararelled their course, to the victor no dispute. First broadside from UNITED STATES, a salvo that had missed. The British returned the flame, Old Waggon cracked and hissed.

Decatur returned the favor to his gunners thunder gleemed, brought down the British spanker, from here was just routine. For our gunners dismasted methodically MACEDONIAN’s hulk by choice, until the misfortunate vessel struck her colors hoist.

The battle lasted an hour and a half as best could tell. To the British 104 were lost to Old Waggon only twelve.

The USS UNITED STATES, Old Waggon she became; from the City of Philadelphia she sailed the seas to fame.

[More verses available upon request]   by USS UNITED STATES Foundation and Edward C. Zimmerman, Jr.; Founder, President, and CEO