Final answer:
The navy's first iron-hulled warship was introduced in 1843, which was a significant technological advancement in naval warfare. The USS Constitution, although famous, was not iron-hulled.
Step-by-step explanation:
The navy had its first iron-hulled warship in the year 1843. This marked a significant advancement in naval technology and became a critical factor for naval warfare efficiency. The HMS Dreadnought, introduced by Britain in 1906, is another important milestone in naval history, but it came later, boasting impressive firepower and steam turbine speed. On the American side, while the USS Constitution, known as "Old Ironsides," was a celebrated ship, it was made from American oak and not iron, demonstrating a different kind of engineering achievement in 1812. The shift to iron was a sign of the evolving technology during the Industrial Revolution, which had a profound impact on military capabilities.