USS Constitution to sail under own power for second time in over a century

Multiple Coast Guard resources escort the USS Constitution, Boston's beloved "Old Iron Sides," on June 11, 2005 in Boston, Massachusetts. / PA3 Kelly Newlin/U.S. Coast Guard via Getty Images

(AP) BOSTON - The world's oldest commissioned warship will sail under its own power for just the second time in more than a century to commemorate the battle that won it the nickname "Old Ironsides."

The USS Constitution, which was first launched in 1797, will be tugged from its berth in Boston Harbor on Sunday to the main deepwater pathway into the harbor. It will then set out to open seas for a 10-minute cruise.

The short trip marks the day two centuries ago when the Constitution bested the British frigate HMS Guerriere in a fierce battle during the War of 1812. It follows a three-year restoration project and is the first time the Constitution has been to sea on its own since its 200th birthday in 1997.

Before that, it hadn't sailed under its own power since 1881. The Constitution is periodically tugged into the harbor for historical display.

Chief Petty Officer Frank Neely, a Constitution spokesman and crew member, said the crew wants to honor and preserve the Constitution with Sunday's sail.

"This ship is a national icon to us. ... She's very special to us. We think she's very special to the United States," he said.

The Constitution was under the command of Capt. Issac Hull when it engaged the Guerriere off Nova Scotia on Aug. 19, 1812. The young war was not going well for America, which had surrendered Detroit to the British with basically no resistance a week earlier.

But the Guerriere proved no match for the Constitution, which was heavier and longer. The vessels blasted away at each other at close range, even colliding at one point, during the 35-minute battle. The Constitution's 24-pound cannonballs felled the Guerriere's mast, while the British vessels' 18-pound cannonballs had trouble penetrating the Constitution's two-foot thick live oak hull, said Matthew Brenckle, a historian at the USS Constitution Museum.

Brenckle said a sailor's memoirs recorded how one cannonball seemed to slightly penetrate the ship, before dropping into the sea. The sailor then called out the quote that would give the Constitution its nickname, "Huzzah, her sides are made of iron! See where the shot fell out!"

It wasn't the first naval win in what would be a divisive, expensive war, but it set off celebrations around the country, Brenckle said.

"Strategically, it really did nothing to change the course of the war," he said. "But the morale boost that that provided for the American cause, I think was quite important."

During Sunday's sail, the Constitution's crew of about 65, accompanied by 150 sailors selected to be part of event, will unfurl four of its 36 sails, Neely said. The tugs will stand by as a precaution when the Constitution sails on its own. And the trip can't happen unless the weather conditions are right.

The ship won't move in winds less than five mph and anything over about 15 mph would put too much stress on the vessel, Neely said. But the forecast looks favorable.

The lengthy work in preparation for Sunday's sail was largely on the Constitution's aesthetics, though the masts were restored, Neely said. The crew also underwent extensive training on how to handle a vessel that's unlike any other in the U.S. Navy.

"A lot of hours of work went into this one day right here," Neely said. "I wouldn't be surprised if I broke a couple of tears after this."

[davidrlund]

Britain's H.M.S. Victory is the world's oldest commissioned warship, NOT the U.S.S. Constitution.

[jmlkendrick]

Hear, hear! HMS Victory... still commissioned as the flagship of the British Navy... is more than three decades older than the USS Constitution.

[protrn]

Navy Creates New History In Boston

By ETC (SS) Bud Cunnally SSSU Det NLON
October, 2001

In the shadow of the Old North Church in Boston's North End came the Navy's newest Selected Chief Petty Officers to receive their indoctrination and initiation on board the USS Constitution or Old Ironsides, as it is affectionately known. She is the oldest commissioned warship in the world. It was from the steeple of the Old North Church, that Robert Newman, church sexton, hung the two lanterns closely associated with Paul Revere on April 18, 1775, igniting the War for Independence and leading to the birth of our Nation. This was the beginning of many threats to our liberty that has called our nations citizen soldiers, to serve their country. Paul Revere, who was one of the original reservists, rode throughout the countryside warning his fellow minutemen that the regular British Army was marching to Lexington and Concord to seize their arms and arrest the leaders of the local militia.

The select CPO's days were long and arduous in keeping with the schedule of the 1800's predecessors of our Navy sailors today. They lived the hardships of those late 18th century seafarers by sleeping on the deck without the comfort of mattresses. Some tried the traditional hammocks of those days but found them too uncomfortable for sleeping. It was reveille at 0430 on the berthing decks of the Constitution followed by breakfast. Seamanship training commenced at 0600 followed by daily sail training, as it takes a finely tuned crew to raise by block and tackle the main propulsion system on a sailing ship. Colors at 0800 took on a very special historical significance. Gun drill training was quite a feat in itself, as the twelve member crews of eight would pull the one-ton cannons on their carriages away from the gun ports in preparation for firing. All of the crews competed for the fastest time to clean the cannon, reload the powder and shot, rack the carriage back to the port and simulate firing the gun. The full days of activities ended at 2100. TAR sailor of the year Michael Mc Sweeney ATC (Sel), Selected Reservists James Hooper PRC (Sel), and Matt Kendall YNC (Sel) from NAS Brunswick ME, expressed their enthusiasm in learning real teamwork to accomplish some very difficult tasks.
The apogee of the week in Boston was the last day of training when Old Ironsides slipped gently away from her birth in Charlestown at 0700 Thursday with the one word passed that is akin to all sailors, "underway". The Colors were set at 0800 with the entire crew and our passengers rendering honors to Old Glory. As the National Anthem was sung my feelings as an American sailor on board this national treasure produced an overwhelming feeling of Navy pride. After the Constitution completed her first leg of the trip with the assist of a tug, to the edge of the inner harbor, she was turned around for the return back to Charlestown. The CPO's with the Constitution crew set the sails. When the first breath of air billowed in the shrouds you got a sudden feeling that that this old ship wanted to lurch forward and shrug off the tug.

Old Ironsides then spoke loudly, as two of her cannons were used to fire a twenty-one-gun salute in honor of the United States of America and the Fort at Castle Island received it for everyone in the country. This was the same fort that Paul Revere was stationed at during the Revolution and the War of 1812. Edgar Allen Poe was a sergeant garrisoned there at one point in his life and he probably got some very good ideas for some of his novels. The Fort returned the honor by also firing a twenty-one-gun salute. The smell of gunpowder and the roar of the cannons was an extraordinary experience. After all of these wonderful things a recitation of Oliver Wendell Holmes famous poem, "Old Ironsides" was recited. "Ay, tear her tattered ensign down! Long has it waved on high..." Needles to say at that point there was not a dry eye on board.

[chroniccomplainer]

Somewhere in Boston~ somebody has the original pieces of the USS Constitution if some were replaced. What a conversation that would be over cocktails.. I would check Beacon Hill first.

[WestFlorida]

Nice but not quite. For ceremonial purposes only in this rig, the array of flags flown from the jib boom, over the fore mast, main mast, mizzen mast and down to the spanker boom are internationally recognized signal flags, representing letters of the English alphabet and numerals. The four flags flown from the starboard end of the foreyard start with the flag for N then three other letters representing the ship's radio call sign. The two flags flown from the port end of the foreyard are unreadable, but usually represent something encumbering the ship's maneuverability. For instance, an aircraft carrier displays the flag for F when conducting flight operations.

[Old Timer 8080]

When I had to go to training school for Genrad, the high point was walking the Freedom Trail and making a visit to " Old Ironsides ".

My only problem was dealing with the many little earthquakes from the graves of the people who founded our republic spinning in them.

Boston of today had little incentive to maintain and keep up their graves and they were in a horrid state of decay.

" Old Ironsides " was the exact opposite.

[frankaciii]

I always wonder what the founding generations would do if they saw the condition of the country the founded.

[aubfmet]

If students want something to learn from history, they will understand more from touring the Constitution than from climbing the Washington Monument.
*********
By Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. 1809-1894 Oliver Wendell Holmes
Ay, tear her tattered ensign down!
Long has it waved on high,
And many an eye has danced to see
That banner in the sky;
Beneath it rung the battle shout,
And burst the cannon's roar;—
The meteor of the ocean air
Shall sweep the clouds no more!


Her deck, once red with heroes' blood
Where knelt the vanquished foe,
When winds were hurrying o'er the flood
And waves were white below,
No more shall feel the victor's tread,
Or know the conquered knee;—
The harpies of the shore shall pluck
The eagle of the sea!


O, better that her shattered hulk
Should sink beneath the wave;
Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
And there should be her grave;
Nail to the mast her holy flag,
Set every thread-bare sail,
And give her to the god of storms,—
The lightning and the gale!

[bigalber]

Wrong facts again. The USS Constitution was on a national tour 1931-1933, and visited ports on the West Coast in 1933.

http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/46/46021a.htm

Why can't anyone in the national media do basic research before they write this stuff.

[CurDog23]

@bigalber: The article says "under her own power". I followed your link. In the picture "Constitution (IX-21) underway in Puget Sound, WA", you can clearly see the line that's being used to tow the boat.

[todaymessage]

curdog23, good catch, also the folded sails is another indication.

[rwsmith29456]

Huzzah!!!!!!!

[ZivBnd]

AP, as others have pointed out, HMS Victory is the oldest commissioned warship in the world, the USS Constitution is the worlds oldest commissioned warship afloat! Both are impressive ships, but the Constitution actually sails, which is an incredible, albeit rare event.
Add a single word, afloat, and your article is accurate. Leave it out, and it is incorrect.
What a beautiful ship! I will be searching Youtube Sunday night to watch the videos!

[NavAirVet]

Of the six original frigates the USS Constitution is the most remembered. She brought hope during a period of war when our country was very unsure of its future. Impressment was the main reason we went to war with england. As always, it comes down to a few individuals who found themselves at the right place at the right time!!!