http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/19/us/massachusetts-uss-constitution/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
The USS Constitution, Old Ironsides, rarely moves under sail. But she still can.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/19/us/massachusetts-uss-constitution/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
The USS Constitution, Old Ironsides, rarely moves under sail. But she still can.
It’s always exciting to see the Constitution move with tugs. Wish I could have been there for a real sail. Needless to say on the news in this area.
And everybody with a dinghy was out on the water crowding around to watch!
Although she’s been repaired and restored and anything likely to give way has been fixed, I’m just glad that nothing did.
Just finished reading the Boston Globe a moment ago, with an article on the Constitution sailing (yesterday had a bigger article and front page, gorgeous picture): the crew reported that she was perfectly firm and fit during the sail. Makes me hope that there might be more. They announced the sail only last Thursday I think it was (at least, announced in the Globe) and said that “luncheon tickets” to dine on the ship while under sail, were $75/person. That’s $150 for the two of us and beyond our spur of the moment budget but yes, we did indeed discuss it! What an opportunity!
The Constitution is not the oldest commissioned warship in the world (that’s HMS Victory), but she is the oldest still afloat. It’s good to see that she can still move “under her own power.”
she is the oldest commissioned warship in the United States Navy. The ship is manned by U.S. Navy sailors in period costume. It’s considered a plum duty station, and is very difficult to get a billeting there. Every year or so, they take her out into the harbor and turn her around so they can work on the other side of the hull while she’s tied up.
We had an opportunity to visit Constitution shortly after 9/11. Since she was and is still a commissioned warship, the regular tours were canceled and no tourists were allowed aboard her; Marines were stationed on the dock around her. DH pointed out that she did outgun the entire Afghan navy, which gave the guards a snicker.