Upon entering service, USS United States played a role in the Quasi-War (1798-1800) against former ally France where she was used to good effect against French privateers preying on American shipping in Caribbean waters. In June of 1812 began the "War of 1812" between the United States and Britain, pitting two naval powers against one another. She committed to a battle with HMS Macedonian in October of 1812 and claimed the British vessel by surrender in a drawn-out engagement.
During this period, Barbary pirates resumed attacking American shipping in the Mediterranean and this led to a formal declaration of war against Algiers in March of 1815. The USN responded by sending USS United States to the region but the vessel arrived too late to see action - a peace deal had already been secured.
From there, USS United States, operating under a false report that the U.S. had declared war on neighboring Mexico, was used to secure Monterey in October of 1842 - this was an American attempt to head off what was believed to be a similar British naval mission. However, the false report was soon uncovered and Monterey returned to its owners. USS United States was then directed to Hawaii and helped the monarchy regain control of the islands from British rule.
In February of 1849, the warship was decommissioned from service and lay in a largely forgotten state - a poor end to what was once the apple of the USN's eye and a point of pride to many onlookers. She laid in such a way until April of 1861 by which time the American Civil War began. Confederate forces took the naval shipyard at Norfolk and, with it, could claim the remains of USS United States. With a great need for any war-making vessel, USS United States was reconstituted as CSS United States and placed in defense of the strategic harbor. She was made ready for June of 1861 but her second life came to an abrupt end when she was ordered sunk as a river obstruction in the Elizabeth River (Virginia) during May of 1862. Confederate forces then were forced to give up the harbor to which Federal units claimed it - and the damaged ship.
She was raised and taken back to port where she resided until March of 1864. With her usefulness all but spent in the modern world, the order was given to dismantle what remained of the grand wooden-hulled sailing ship. She was broken up in December of 1865 and her story officially came to an end.
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