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).
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).