Bow (USS Constellation)

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The bow is the front of the ship. This area of the deck is called the foc'sl (prn. foke-sul). This was sailor-talk for "forecastle" which is the proper name of the area. The name refers to early ship design which called for a "castle," or a fortress-like construction built at the bow of ships. Archers and warriors manned the castle and fought other ships from that location. Later ship designs had a raised deck here, with a galley or other housing inside. Constellation's single Spar Deck doesn't include an actual castle, but the name still refers to this area. All of Constellation's main guns were below on the Gun Deck, but there were two guns on the spar deck. A 30 lbr Parrott Rifle mounted here at the bow on a carriage that swiveled on iron rails laid into the deck. The gun was stored inboard and rolled out for action. At the stern, there was a 20lbr Parrott Rifle. Both of these Rifles were not standard Naval Ordinance. Constellation's Captain made a special requisition for them because of the ship's disadvantage with all-sail propulsion. Steamships could position upwind and Constellation would have no ability to engage. Parrott Rifles provided accurate artillery and longer ranges, so Constellation had a weapon that could hit enemies before they got too close.

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