They nicknamed the USS Constitution "Old Ironsides" for her ability to take an absolute beating in battle and still be floating when the smoke settled. Old Ironsides went 42-0 before she was finally retired, and is now the oldest commissioned battleship in the world still afloat.

"Her deck, once red with heroes' blood,
Where knelt the vanquished foe,
When winds were hurrying o'er the flood,
And waves were white below,
No more shall feel the victor's tread,
Or know the conquered knee;--
The harpies of the shore shall pluck
The eagle of the sea!"

-- from Old Ironsides, Oliver Wendell Holmes