For clarification, the USS Constitution typically does not sail or otherwise maneuver under her own power. Instead, she is towed by a tugboat. I think it has sailed under her own power only three times in recent history, starting back in 1997 when it was towed out of Boston harbor, sailed up the coast unassisted for about an hour, then was towed to Marblehead for a visit before returning to Boston. That was the first time in 116 years that it sailed unassisted.
Source: I was crewing on one of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary escort vessels and had a “front row seat” to the event.
How sad. Most wooden ships run by other navies are used as training ships and visit events like Hamburg’s Hafengeburtstag and Sail Amsterdam under their own steam.
She’s the flagship of the world’s second largest navy: America’s fleet of museum ships.
She’s preserved as a historical artifact, both for her own sake (she had a noteworthy history in the nation’s young life and a surprisingly long service career) and very simply as one of a few 18th century sailing ships left in existence. Uniquely among US museum ships, she’s still owned and commissioned by the US Navy. USS Constitution is the oldest warship afloat in the world. HMS Victory is older, but she’s permanently drydocked. USS Constitution is seaworthy, and the US Navy gets to claim by far the oldest commissioned warship in the world. She’s a bit of an eternal flame in that regard.
As with everything the Navy does that isn’t war, they’ll list “interacting with the American public” and “recruiting” on her list of missions.
She is sometimes taken out for a cruise, often entirely under tow but every now and again they set the six sails she has and let her move under her own power, at about walking pace. As a treat.
HMS Victory is older, but she’s permanently drydocked. USS Constitution is seaworthy, and the US Navy gets to claim by far the oldest commissioned warship in the world. She’s a bit of an eternal flame in that regard.
Oldest commissioned warship afloat. The Victory is still commissioned (though she has been modified with stuff like holes below the waterline and wouldn’t be able to float without more modification).
What do they do with this ship, does it just stay docked all the time
It goes sailing around Boston Harbor sometimes. Mostly it acts as a museum for the public.
For clarification, the USS Constitution typically does not sail or otherwise maneuver under her own power. Instead, she is towed by a tugboat. I think it has sailed under her own power only three times in recent history, starting back in 1997 when it was towed out of Boston harbor, sailed up the coast unassisted for about an hour, then was towed to Marblehead for a visit before returning to Boston. That was the first time in 116 years that it sailed unassisted.
Source: I was crewing on one of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary escort vessels and had a “front row seat” to the event.
How sad. Most wooden ships run by other navies are used as training ships and visit events like Hamburg’s Hafengeburtstag and Sail Amsterdam under their own steam.
None of those were built in 1797. It’s the world’s oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat.
Cool
She’s the flagship of the world’s second largest navy: America’s fleet of museum ships.
She’s preserved as a historical artifact, both for her own sake (she had a noteworthy history in the nation’s young life and a surprisingly long service career) and very simply as one of a few 18th century sailing ships left in existence. Uniquely among US museum ships, she’s still owned and commissioned by the US Navy. USS Constitution is the oldest warship afloat in the world. HMS Victory is older, but she’s permanently drydocked. USS Constitution is seaworthy, and the US Navy gets to claim by far the oldest commissioned warship in the world. She’s a bit of an eternal flame in that regard.
As with everything the Navy does that isn’t war, they’ll list “interacting with the American public” and “recruiting” on her list of missions.
She is sometimes taken out for a cruise, often entirely under tow but every now and again they set the six sails she has and let her move under her own power, at about walking pace. As a treat.
Oldest commissioned warship afloat. The Victory is still commissioned (though she has been modified with stuff like holes below the waterline and wouldn’t be able to float without more modification).
Spec ops