HMS Victory VS USS Constitution: Who Would Win?

The USS Constitution and HMS Victory are two of the world's oldest and most renowned vessels. For the United States and United Kingdom respectively, they represent the oldest commissioned warships in their navies. They each serve as figureheads of the ideals and traditions of their peoples, and of the sacrifices demanded to defend them.

But what would happen if these two titans of the seas were to clash? Who would win in the titanic struggle? Can it actually be determined? Is it worthwhile to determine? What does it actually matter? Who genuinely cares? Is there any value to such questions beyond simple entertainment? Why did you even click on this video?

Well, in this my most clickbaity of videos, let's find out!

Thanks to Mr 8 Bit Brody for lending his excellent announcer skills for my clickbait intro!
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[gekofish]

I was aboard the HMS Victory last year. It was truly beautiful. I stood on the spot where Admiral Horatio Nelson was struck down. I then went below deck and saw the spot where he died due to his injuries. The whole ship is drowning in history. If anyone is in the UK I would most definitely recommend visiting the ship!

[seanbrennan]

Brandon, I apologise for being pedantic, but the Royal Navy did not have PT Boats, they had Motor Torpedo Boats, or MTB's.

PT Boats is a rebellious colonist Navy term.

[m.otoole]

TLDR: If you play God, you and your side win.

[Neil-jmom]

Ok then...
What about L'Orient vs Thomas Cochrane in a bathtub?

[SpiderMan-gvgd]

I’m an American and believe the Constitution would cream any frigate, but being realistic it couldn’t stand up to a ship of the line, we know this Brandon, duh

[bumblingbureaucrat]

Sorry, but as much as I love the USS Constitution she just doesn't match up to the Firepower of a mainline Battleship. I mean she's a FRIGATE for chrissakes!

[zephyr]

USS Texas: “Hey, mom and dad are fighting again!”

[liammccoy]

Who would win? A modern missile cruiser? Or a ancient Greek Trireme?

[earthbob]

Eventually it becomes a battle of conditional modifiers, rather than a battle between ships.

[jaxsonh.]

Well I mean, one already has victory in its name

[MBKillrCat]

Obviously the Victory, come on, it's not a fair comparison. One is a frigate the other is a first rate ship of the line.

[raylast]

Okay I got one: USS Constitution vs a single Jagdpanther
I can‘t believe the Internet hasn‘t done that yet.

[sirenswail]

Great video! Thank you so much for your content. I am always looking for creators that have a passion for history especially for the 18th and 19th century in naval warfare. Your videos are really well made and detailed. This video brings up great points in the idea of creating competition in history.Thank you for all your work and good job as always.

[douglasdaniel]

I actually love alternate history, but it is frequently done very poorly, and you're right that people often don't have a sufficient grasp of the complexity of factors that went into creating the events that became our real-life history. Too often the alternate history is created as a polemic, or to make the creator feel good about themselves.
Absent preconceptions and agenda, in any reasonable alternate scenario you would care to name in which the Constitution confronted the Victory, the Constitution would run like a jackrabbit, or die. Period. That's just the way things worked.

[theblackprince]

So many people say the HMS Victory not HMS Victory. You wouldn't say the her/his Majesty's ship. Thanks for usually the correct grammar Brandon. Great video as always.

[charsfm]

“Thank you Mr.Bit” I found this funnier than it had right to be.

[Alex-cwrz]

There is a silly comment around here claiming Constituion would cream any other frigate, this is simply wrong 2 of USS Constitutions sister ships lost to other frigates... USS President to HMS Emdymion and USS Chesapeake vs HMS Shannon. Both ships had less guns and less crew yet easily beat there American counterpart. HMS Shannon being a really interesting case being that her crew were so well trained and implemented so many new techniques it's a fascinating read.

[rascally_ryan]

Neither- the Bismarck would come in with a folding steel chair off the top turnbuckle and win the match! 😄

[dano]

I like your point about how when you change the details of a historic setting you might as well create your own world...one of my favorite authors who did it right is Guy Gavriel Kay. There's a guy who does painstaking research into his historical settings and bends his world just enough to turn history into something that is not only his own, but also wholly believable, even with the low magic factor.

[Simpingcats]

I petition that we next pit a Roman Quinquereme vs HMS Warspite