USS Constitution Warship Moves to Dry Dock for Restoration
Source: ABC News
The USS Constitution has been moved to dry dock for a major restoration project expected to take three years.
The world's oldest commissioned warship, still afloat on Monday night, moved into dry dock at the Charlestown Navy Yard historical park in Boston.
The project could cost the Navy as much as $15 million. It will include re-coppering the hull, replacing worn rigging and old planks and making general repairs to the stern, bow and captain's cabin.
The ship's top deck will be open to visitors during most of the work, beginning in June.
Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/uss-constitution-warship-moves-dry-dock-restoration-31144094
yuiyoshida
(41,759 posts)Last edited Tue May 19, 2015, 10:39 AM - Edit history (1)
and got to go aboard her.
The only thing more impressive to me was being aboard the USS PAMPANITO
Both Historic Ships. http://www.maritime.org/pamphome.htm
IDemo
(16,926 posts)I have direct family ties to its construction. I'm not at all familiar with the Pampanito; that's a distinct looking keel.
sharp_stick
(14,400 posts)you should see the USS Nautilus if you're ever in Connecticut. It was the first nuclear powered submarine and compared to the WWII era boats it was downright luxurious.
They have a great museum of submarine history there with lots of artifacts and a nicely set up tour of the Nautilus. My kids love it, we wind up going pretty much once a year.
http://www.ussnautilus.org/
Sgt Preston
(133 posts)Adrahil
(13,340 posts)The Brits had dominated the seas with their large fleets of massive ships of the line.
But the American-style Heavy Frigates were something new. Reasonably fast, reasonably well armed, and very sturdy, they could take most Brit or French ships on independent duty. And they are beautiful to look at!
happyslug
(14,779 posts)The Department of the Navy did not exist till 1798 (The US Navy likes saying it has existed since 1775, but it was abolished after the Revolution and incorporated into the Department of War (US Army) under the US Constitution of 1787. Thus the US Army (as the Department of War) was the organization that designed the USS Constitution and its sister ships (With massive input from Naval Captains and other experts in Naval vessels).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_six_frigates_of_the_United_States_Navy
FailureToCommunicate
(13,989 posts)Larry Engels
(387 posts)Look at those cannon! I would not want to see them pointed at any vessel I was on.
Aristus
(66,082 posts)I wonder how many restorations before none of the original is left?
I hope to visit the ship someday.
There's a part of me that wishes we would ditch the rather cult-of-personality practice of naming aircraft carriers after Presidents. Instead, we should bring back the names of the original fleet frigates for new craft, minus 'Constitution', of course.
Imagine the Constellation, the Chesapeake, the Congress, The President, and the United States aircraft carriers.
IDemo
(16,926 posts)That would be one historical detail that would be great to restore.
Brother Buzz
(36,212 posts)We replaced the handle six times and the head twice, but it's still George Washington's axe.
Perhaps we can rename the Constitution, Ship of Theseus.
SeattleVet
(5,468 posts)but it occupies the same space!