Oldest commissioned warship takes trip before repairs

[unhappycamper]

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/10/oldest-commissioned-warship-takes-trip-repairs



The U.S.S. Constitution, or "Old Ironsides," the U.S. Navy's oldest commissioned ship that is still afloat, is towed through Boston Harbor past the financial district skyline with its topsails unfurled Friday, Aug. 29, 2014 in Boston. The ship is setting its sails for the last time before the warship heads to dry dock for a three-year repair project

Oldest commissioned warship takes trip before repairs
The Associated Press
© October 18, 2014

BOSTON

Old Ironsides took one last trip around Boston Harbor on Friday ahead of a major, multi-year restoration project, firing its canons while the Dropkick Murphys punk band and a Boston Pops quintet entertained hundreds of special guests and dignitaries on board.

The USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat, was pushed along by a tugboat, its sails already taken down as it prepares to enter dry-dock for the repairs, which the Navy says could take about three years.

The three-mast frigate, which earned its nickname after winning battles during the War of 1812 against Great Britain, gave a traditional 21-gun salute to Fort Independence on Castle Island, one of the oldest fortified sites in the country. It also gave a 17-gun salute at the Coast Guard’s Boston base and it’s all active-duty Navy crew laid a wreath in the harbor to honor the armed forces branch, which turned 239 years old this week.

Gov. Deval Patrick and other high-ranking navy officials were among the 500 or so guests on board for the three-hour cruise.