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USS Constitution / Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston
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USS Constitution / Charlestown Navy Yard
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USS Constitution / Charlestown Navy Yard: Visit the oldest commissioned warship in the world
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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/)

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  • Address: 1 Constitution Rd., Charlestown, MA
  • Phone: 617.242.7511
  • Directions: 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.htm
  • Website: http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil

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    USS Constitution / Charlestown Navy Yard: USS Constitution Ship
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  • Welcome to real history at her finest! Even people who bore easily will be able to enjoy this still active, in commision, oldest warship in the world. The tour lasts approximately 30-45 minutes and consists of the deck and first floor where the canons are. Our female tour guide was informative, friendly and delivered the history of the ship in a most fascinating manor. 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!

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  • Address: Charleston Yard off Constitution Road
  • Directions: On website.
  • Website: www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/

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    USS Constitution / Charlestown Navy Yard: "Old Ironsides," the USS Constitution
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  • Better known as "Old Ironsides," the USS Constitution can be found at anchor in her berth at the Charlestown Navy Yard. It is the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. fleet along with being the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Its a vestige of the days of "wooden ships and iron men", when she and her crew of 200 succeeded at the perilous task of asserting the sovereignty of an improbable new nation. Every July 4 and on certain other occasions she's towed out for a turnabout in Boston Harbor, the very place her keel was laid on October 21, 1797. 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

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  • Address: Charlestown Navy Yard
  • Directions: 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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    USS Constitution / Charlestown Navy Yard: Visit the USS Constitution.
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  • The oldest and most famous warship in the US Navy. It is still commisioned as a warship and is manned by active duty US Navy sailors. Take the tour and be respectful. Watch your head. This vessel was built when the average sailor was about 5'6" tall. Make sure you check the board with the names of all past Captains of the ship. There is an unbroken string of commanders since the early 1800's.

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  • Directions: Boston Naval Yard

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    USS Constitution / Charlestown Navy Yard: Freedom Trail - Sixteenth Stop -
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  • U.S.S. Constitution 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.

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  • 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 - 3:30
  • Website: www.ussconstitution.navy.mil

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    USS Constitution / Charlestown Navy Yard: USS Constitution
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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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    USS Constitution / Charlestown Navy Yard: USS Constitution
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  • Even for those of us not deeply interested in historical warfare, the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") is worth a look. The tour is free and run by current members of the armed forces, who are well-informed of its remarkable history.

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  • Directions: Navy Yard, Boston Harbor

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    USS Constitution / Charlestown Navy Yard: USS Constitution and Museum
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  • The oldest commissioned warship afloat, "Old Ironsides" is rich in tradition. From fighting Barbary Pirates to winning victories in the War of 1812, the ship has played a large part in America's history. Free tours are led by active-duty sailors dressed in vintage 1812 uniforms. The museum contains interactive visual exhibits on Old Ironsides, as well as video games where you can show off your naval skills. . Hours: Daily, 10 am-4 pm Free admission

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  • Address: Pier 1, Charlestown Navy Yard
  • Phone: 617-242-5670
  • Directions: Near the Bunker Hill Monument

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    USS Constitution / Charlestown Navy Yard: We walk at the coastline of the Massachusetts Bay.
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  • We walk at the coastline of the Massachusetts Bay and pas a lot of wharfs such as, India wharf, Commercial wharf, Union wharf and The Constitution wharf. There is the USS Constitution, the oldest USS Navy Vessel. You can visit it and take a tour on this Old vessel.

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    USS Constitution / Charlestown Navy Yard: Th USS Constitution - Old Ironsides
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  • The USS Constitution - Old Ironsides - Boston
    The USS Constitution - Old
    Ironsides
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    Visit the oldest ship still in commission. One of the most popular stops on the Old Town Trolley Tour, and along the "red brick road" (Freedom Trail) is the Charleston Shipping Yard where the USS Constitution is docked. It's a great place to stretch your legs and take a look at this beautiful old 3 masted ship. Visits are free. There is a museum and gift shop close by. There's also an informal restaurant close by. This is a great place to take photos of the Boston skyline across the Charles River. It's easy to see the Old North Church steeple and the Faneule Hall clock tower amid the modern buildings. From the Ship Yard, you can also see the monument that stands above Bunker Hill.

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