On February 17, 1815, the Treaty of Ghent was ratified, officially ending the War of 1812. However, word that the war had ended had not yet reached vessels already at sea. Three days later on February 20th, near the island of Madeira off the coast of Portugal, USS Constitution encountered and engaged two British warships: HMS Cyane and HMS Levant. During the battle, Constitution, commanded by Charles Stewart, out maneuvered her opponents, using thick gun smoke to conceal her movements. After 15 minutes of fierce fighting, she struck Levant with a powerful broadside, then skillfully backed away under cover of smoke to surprise Cyane. Following another 30 minutes of heavy fire from Constitution's larger guns, Cyane surrendered. Constitution then pursued Levant, raking her stern and damaging her rigging until escape was impossible. Levant soon surrendered as well, marking Constitution’s final active combat engagement. #USSConstitution #OldIronsides #NavalHistory #WarOf1812 #Sail250