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Launched in 1797, the U.S.S. Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Earning the nickname "Old Ironsides" due to cannonballs bouncing off her sides during the War of 1812, she was also one of the six ships ordered to be constructed by none other than George Washington himself.
The U.S.S. Constitution is docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard in neighboring Charlestown and is one of the stops on Boston's historic Freedom Trail.
Hours:
April 1 to October 31
Open Tues-Sun, 10am - 5:50 pm
November 1 to March 31
Open Thurs -Sun, 10am-3:50 pm
Tours are available every 30 minutes.
*** An important part of Boston's July 4th (Independence Day) celebrations includes the U.S.S. Constitution's annual "turnaround" into the Boston Harbor to Castle Island for its cannon salute. Boats from near and far come to slowly follow Old Ironsides through the Harbor and hundreds of people line themselves along the piers to catch a glimpse of this annual event. Many local tour boat companies offer harbor cruises for this event at very reasonable prices (I recommend the Charles Riverboat Company http://charlesriverboat.com/) Leave a Comment Address: 1 Constitution Rd., Charlestown, MAPhone: 617.242.7511Directions: T stops: North Station on the Green Line or Bunker Hill Community College on the Orange Line. Further walking and driving directions can be found at: http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/Directions.htmWebsite: http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil
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 USS Constitution by lovemycacti
Cost: Free!
Mid-April to Sept: Tuesday through Sundays from 10am -3:30pm
Contact their website email for info on winter hours and dates
Parking: (We parked at Nautica. Approx. $8)
• Nautica Parking Phone: (617) 723-1488
Location: Constitution Rd., opposite the Navy Yard visitor's center. 5 Minute walk to ship.
Tips:
- Arrive at least one half hour before each tour to allow yourself to go through their rigorous security procedures.
- All bags, purses, wallets, backpacks, fannypacks, shopping bags, coats, etc. will be searched for weapons, explosives, and contraband.
- Weapons are not allowed on the ship or anywhere in the Navy Yard and the National Park Service may confiscate any weapon (including mace or pepper spray) that is illegal in the State of Massachusetts. For knives, this is anything over 2 1/2 inches.
- Do not confuse the museum with the ship. If you contact one, they won't be able to give you info about the other. We did, and the museum staff was grumpy about it.
- Obviously, weapons aren't allowed on board but don't forget about your other personal items that you may not want the world to know you're carrying. Like feminine hygiene napkins, condoms, etc. If you don't want the whole navy yard knowing, leave it in the car! Leave a Comment
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 by smschley
It is a beautiful sailing ship that had its brass bell; many of its copper fittings; and it’s bottom sheathed in copper, all supplied by .Paul Revere. Her hull was made of white oak from the sea islands of Georgia. the toughest wood grown in North America. Her principal service was during Thomas Jefferson's campaign against the Barbary pirates, off the coast of North Africa, and in the War of 1812. In 42 engagements, her record was 42-0 with 20 vessels captured. The nickname "Old Ironsides" was acquired during the War of 1812, when shots from the British warship Guerrière appeared to bounce off her tough oaken hull.
Today she only has about 8%-10% of her original wood remaining in place, though her heart, the “keel” is original. The ship was retired from combat in 1815, and was rescued from destruction when Oliver Wendell Holmes's poem Old Ironsides launched a preservation movement in 1830. She underwent a major restoration in the early 1990s, and only about 8%-10% of her original wood remained in place (the keel, the heart of the ship, is original). This was in preparation for its bicentennial in 1997, when it sailed under its own power for the first time since 1881.
Men and women of the regular navy maintain a 24-hour watch. Free tours have sailors showing visitors around the ship, guiding them to her top, or spar, deck, and the gun deck below Leave a Comment Address: Charlestown Navy YardDirections: Expect to have your bags searched, and you'll probably have to pass through a metal detector. Call ahead if the national terror alert is high; the navy yard closes to civilians at the first sign of a serious threat.
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The Consitution and Cassin Young, along with the museum are isolated from the rest of the wharfs. The constitution has been in this yard since 1934, and maintained by the Navy. Last total rennovation was 1997They are under Navy control and actively used. The rope rigging takes up 5 miles of twined rope. It needs replacing periodically in spite of today it being synthetic. The 44 guns each weigh 5600 pounds, and send a 24 pound shot. It would go 1200 yards in length A gun crew of 9-14 men was required, and they could reload in one minute, better than the adversary.
It is open 106 Tues-Sunday and winters hours only Thursday-Sunday. Free admission and they let about 30-40 people on board at one time. Website: ussconstituion.org
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I must admit that visiting the USS Constitution wasn't on my priority list but my friends wanted to go so I followed along and again, I'm really glad I did! The USS Constitution is the oldest American warship afloat. Built in 1794-97, this beautiful ship, nicknamed "Old Ironside" because enemy fire seemed to bounce off her during battle, won her first great victory in 1812 against the British and our tour guide - who was amazing by the way - did a great job of reminding us how big an event it was for the then newly-born US Marine. Oh, the irony! Leave a Comment
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 U.S.S. Constitution by amsterdam_vallon
The oldest commissioned warship in the world became known as "Old Ironsides" during the war of 1812 when she fought the British Frigate H.M.S. Guerriere. The Guerriere sank like a stone, while the cannonballs she fired at the U.S.S. Constitution merely "bounced off" as if she were made of iron.
In fact the Constitution is made of a three-layer sandwich of wood from all across America. Her "ironsides" are white oak from New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts; her frame is the dependable live oak from Saint Simons Island off Georgia; and her masts are yellow pine from Georgia and the Carolinas.
Freedom Trail Walking Info :
Continue to follow The Trail across the Navy Yard to the USS Constitution Museum. Or follow The Trail out of the Navy Yard toward Monument Square by proceeding north to Adams Street. Bunker Hill Monument is located in Monument Square. Leave a Comment Directions: USS Constitution Charlestown Navy Yard 617-242-5670 Winter Hours: Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun. 10:00 - 4:00 Summer Hours: Daily, 10:00 - 4:00 Tours occur every half-hour, 10:30 - 3:30Website: www.ussconstitution.navy.mil
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The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship in service and has a full crew. Always seen sailing in the harbour during the 4th July celebrations it is a classic warship and saw service during the 1812 War with the British.
The day in late May 2007 when we visited there were large crowds waiting to view the ship which prevented us from going aboard. We had a good view from the dock and took some good photos to remind us of the visit. There are several naval museums nearby which we enjoyed. Leave a Comment
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 Old Ironsides by londonloverLeave a Comment Directions: Navy Yard, Boston Harbor
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 Our guide by american_touristerLeave a Comment Directions: Boston Naval Yard
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I would recommend doing the Freedom Trail in two parts.
I was overly ambitious in walking the entire freedom trail in one day, but it is EXHAUSTING. It's quite a lot to take in.
Do the USS Constitution on a separate day- there's a lot to see. The free tour inside, but the museum along-side can be an hour-hour and half in itself. The video is worth seeing regarding the history of the USS Constitution, and the displays are fun for children.
Here's the most important tip of all- Take the ferry that's leaves from near the USS Constitution for a nice scenic route back... it's a way to get in both land and water without paying for those tours
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