USS Constitution To Be Dry Docked For Major Restoration

CHARLESTOWN (CBS) -- The nation's oldest commissioned Navy warship is getting a facelift.

The U.S.S. Constitution, which is housed at the Charlestown Navy Yard, will be dry docked on May 18 to undergo major restorations.

The shipped was built to last 15 to 20 years but has incredibly sustained for 217 years because of its continued upkeep. It will take an estimated 8 to 10 hours to pull the ship to shore.

The USS Constitution will enter Dry Dock 1 at the Charlestown Navy Yard. (WBZ-TV)

Most of the work will be done to parts of the ship that are under water.

Although the restoration project is scheduled to take two years, the ship will remain open to tourists.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal reports