USS Constitution
The Constitution is currently birthed at Charlestown Navy Yard but was built just across Boston Harbor at Hartt's Shipyard in what is now a US Coast Guard base. All six ships were built in different ports to help stimulate the economy around the new nation. The cross-hatch construction of her hull made her extremely strong against cannon fire as well as ramming and gave her the nickname, 'Old Ironsides'.
It's incredible that the Constitution remained intact for so long. Her heyday was in the early 1800s and especially during the War of 1812. Not only is she the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world, she is the only current American warship to have sunk an enemy ship. Even though she serves as a museum and tourist attraction, she is manned by active duty US Navy sailors. Assignment to the Constitution is considered a great honor.
The Constitution rarely leaves her birth at Charlestown Navy Yard. Once a year she goes out into the Harbor so she can turn around, aided by a tugboat. These are usually accompanied by a cannon salute. Major repairs and refits are done every few decades and marked with an "extended" cruise further out in the Harbor and under her own sail. Boston is no stranger to Tall Ships but this is perhaps the most impressive and special sail boat in the world.
USS Constitution
2017-7-16. The Constitution in dry dock for repairs.
USS Constitution
2017-7-16. The Constitution in dry dock for repairs.
USS Constitution
2017-7-16. The Constitution in dry dock for repairs.
USS Constitution
2017-7-16. The Constitution in dry dock for repairs.
USS Constitution
2017-7-23. Undocking of the Constitution after 26 months in dry dock.
USS Constitution
2017-7-23. Undocking of the Constitution after 26 months in dry dock. The dry dock has been flooding for the last several hours.
USS Constitution
2017-7-23. Undocking of the Constitution after 26 months in dry dock.
USS Constitution
2017-7-23. Undocking of the Constitution after 26 months in dry dock.
USS Constitution
2017-7-23. Undocking of the Constitution after 26 months in dry dock. Boston skyline.
USS Constitution
2017-7-23. Undocking of the Constitution after 26 months in dry dock. The tugboat removes the dry dock gate.
USS Constitution
2017-7-23. Undocking of the Constitution after 26 months in dry dock. Towing the Constitution off the keel blocks and out of dry dock. The tiniest tugboat (nicknamed the beaver boomer) pulled her out and linesmen on either side ran with the ropes from one bollard to the next as she moved back out of the dry dock. A slow but well orchestrated process.
USS Constitution
2017-7-23. Undocking of the Constitution after 26 months in dry dock. Towing the Constitution off the keel blocks and out of dry dock. The tiniest tugboat (nicknamed the beaver boomer) pulled her out and linesmen on either side ran with the ropes from one bollard to the next as she moved back out of the dry dock. A slow but well orchestrated process.
USS Constitution
2017-7-23. Undocking of the Constitution after 26 months in dry dock.
USS Constitution
2017-7-23. Undocking of the Constitution after 26 months in dry dock. Now tied up alongside Pier 1 to finish her refit.
USS Constitution
2017-7-23. Undocking of the Constitution after 26 months in dry dock. Now tied up alongside Pier 1 to finish her refit.
USS Constitution
2017-7-23. Undocking of the Constitution after 26 months in dry dock.
USS Constitution
2017-7-23. Undocking of the Constitution after 26 months in dry dock.