Isaac Hull was born in Derby in 1773. His father was a sea captain, and Isaac learned his nautical skills in Derby before joining the merchant service and commanding his first ship at the age of 19.

When the new United States Navy was created in 1798, Isaac Hull was appointed a lieutenant on one of the four ships built for the new navy. He proceeded to distinguish himself in the "quasi-war" with France and the war with the Barbary pirates.

When Hull attained the rank of captain in the American Navy, he was put in command of the U.S.S. Constitution. On Aug. 19, 1812, the Constitution became engaged in a battle with the Guerriere, an English Navy vessel.

Within one half hour, the Constitution had won the battle, making it the first naval win for the U.S. during the War of 1812. Hull had used his heavier broadsides and his ship’s superior sailing ability, while the British, to their astonishment, saw that their shot seemed to rebound harmlessly off Constitution’s hull — giving her the nickname 'Old Ironsides'. This battle marked the first time in history that an English frigate had struck its flag to an American ship of war.

Hull went on to command the Portsmouth Naval Yard and build the USS Washington, the largest American battleship ever built to that time. Hull was promoted to Commodore in 1823. After Portsmouth, he commanded the Pacific squadron, the Washington Navy Yard, and the Mediterranean squadron.

The U.S.S. Constitution is the oldest commissioned battleship in the U.S. Navy and is still on display in Boston Harbor.

Bonus:
See the words to the song about the battle and Commodore Hull's leadership by clicking here or listen to a special rendition here.

Chronology of Service

1798
9 March: Appointed to USS Constitution as Lieutenant
6 July: Commission as Lieutenant delivered

1801
8 July: Ordered to remain on board USS Constitution
21 September: Ordered to take charge of USS Constitution

1802
1 April: Ordered to duty in USS John Adams

1803
Ordered to command of USS Enterprise
Ordered to command USS Argus

1804
18 May: Promoted to Master Commandant
23 November: Commission issued

1806
23 April: Promoted to Captain
24 July: Returned to the United States in Argus and ordered to Connecticut to contract for and superintend building of four gunboats

1807
9 January: Commission as Captain issued
26 June: Ordered to Hampton, Virginia, to act as a member of a Court of Inquiry
11 July: Ordered to Norfolk under Commodore Decatur
12 September: Appointed member of the Board of Inquiry

1809
11 January: Ordered to duty in USS John Adams
2 February: Ordered to Norfolk for duty in USS Chesapeake
15 April: Ordered to take command of Portland Station in addition to other duties

1812
10 October: Ordered to command at New York
12 November: Ordered to Washington

1813
Ordered to command of Boston Navy Yard Ordered to command of Portsmouth Navy Yard

1814
18 January: Granted short leave of absence
21 January: Ordered to report to Commodore Bainbridge at Charleston, SC

1815
Appointed to Board of Navy Commissioners

1824-1827
Commodore of Pacific Squadron - Flagship United States

1829-1835
Commanded Washington Navy Yard

1833
Commanded USS Constitution

1835
On leave

1838
Appointed Commodore of Mediterranean Squadron - Flagship Ohio

1841
Retired

1843
Died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Source: "Isaac Hull, USN" (single-page undated typed chronology covering 1798-1814) and other items in Isaac Hull ZB file, Navy Department Library.

Read about the Commodore Hull Turkey Day 5K HERE.

This article was originally posted on ElectronicValley.org by Jack Walsh on an unknown date and lightly edited in 2025 by Kayleigh Mihalko