Response The poem brought Holmes immediate national attention, and the poem would remain among his best-known. Also, the poem generated enough public sentiment that the historic ship was preserved though plans to do so may have already been in motion. Today, Constitution is well known by its nickname "Old Ironsides" and is the oldest commissioned ship in the world that is still afloat. References External links "Old Ironsides" original text with original author notes "The USS Constitution and Holmes' 'Old Ironsides'", by Linda Sue Grimes American poems 1830 poems Works by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. Works about ships