Ship's Bells Are Grand Links to American History

A ship's bell--especially the one cast by Paul Revere for the U.S. Constitution, a famous frigate in the War of 1812--is a reminder of the grand history of our country.

We hardly ever think of Paul Revere beyond the story immortalized in the poem, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Paul Revere did gallantly warn his countrymen on April 19, 1775, that "the regulars (British) are coming!" This declaration marked the beginning of The Revolutionary War, as our minutemen strode into the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

Few of us remember--or realize--that Revere, after The Revolution, was a truly revered "smith," who worked expertly in gold, silver and other precious metals to fashion household goods, like bowls, utensils, pots and flatware. He was also an engraver whose cartoons, calling cards and tradesmen's bills were used throughout Massachusetts. And, he tried his hand at dentistry!

But of all the businesses he engaged in, Paul Revere is, perhaps, best known as an industrial metalworker. Along with his sons, Joseph and Paul, Jr., Revere "started experimenting with different metals." Joseph "studied bell casting in Europe...(and) Paul Jr. learned with bell founder George Holbrook."

With a huge iron and brass foundry in Boston, Revere and sons began--around 1788--to make "iron bolts, nails, braces, spikes and other brass fittings" for the fledgling U.S. Navy. Revere and his sons "cast the first bell made in Boston," and went on to fashion more than 900 bells, for churches and public buildings--and for The U.S. Constitution.

Paul Revere was pushing the then-old age of 65 when he opened "the nation's first copper rolling mill in Canton, MA." Understanding that copper was rustproof, Revere promoted the idea of replacing ships' iron fixtures with it. Revere's copper sheeting protected the bottom of many Navy ships, including The Constitution, and his copper bolts promised long-lasting decks and hulls.

But, it was on August 19, 1812--and while The Constitution was pummeling and dismasting the HMS Guerriere--that Paul Revere's precious bell was blasted into eternity. It was a small price to pay, however, for our victory. In the heat of the battle, cannonballs were seen as bouncing off the thick, wooden sides of The Constitution--leading to the nickname "Old Ironsides."

Revere's bell may have been sunk, but The Constitution never lost a battle. She retired as a fighting vessel in 1815, and is, today, docked at Charleston, MA, as the longest-commissioned ship in the Navy.

Contact us for ship's bell decorator items--in brass and bronze and choice of sizes--that are as striking and memorable as the bell Paul Revere patriotically offered to the ship that won an early skirmish in the War of 1812. These real bells are perfect for patios, boats, bars and dens, and make great housewarming and retirement gifts.