CURRICULUM FOR ONLINE ARTICLE: Firing 22 canons at point-blank range, fighting pirates in the Mediterranean, and helping our country fight against the British were some of the jobs of this historical warship. An actual letter written from the Ironsides' captain explains a day in battle, giving your child a look at war at sea and also about the design of a ship and her parts. Discover how this vessel earned the "Old Ironsides" nickname!