 ‘Old Ironsides’ the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship in the world and is berthed in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston.
Launched in 1797, the USS Constitution was one of the US Navy’s first vessels and has been the pride of the nation’s naval heritage for over two centuries. When she was launched the frigate was faster and more manoeuvrable than any other ship of her day. She was built just across the Charles River from where she now lies, at Hartt’s shipyard in Boston’s North End and cost around $3m.
The Constitution carried a crew of 450, including 55 Marines, and a dozen boys along with 44 guns, which first saw action in 1803 off Africa’s northern coast. But the Constitution’s greatest exploits came in the War of 1812 against Great Britain, where she sank the British ships: the Guerriere, Java, Cyane and Levant.
 It was during these battles that the USS Constitution earned the name ‘Old Ironsides’ after British canon shot seemingly bounced off her near impenetrable hull as though they were made of iron. In fact they were made from live oak, a rare but durable wood from Georgia’s sea islands.
However by the mid 19th century Old Ironsides had become obsolete and has been left to serve her time in a symbolic rather than a fighting role. The ship is still fully commissioned today, with its own crew and commander and each year the USS Constitution takes to the sea for a short voyage around Boston Harbour.
There is a museum in the naval yard beside the Constitution with interactive galleries taking visitors on a 200 year voyage through the history of Old Ironsides and you can also discover what life was like on her decks, living on a diet of ‘hardtack and grog’!
Also open for tours in the same naval yard is the USS Cassin Young, a destroyer that served in the Pacific theatre during WWII.
Location:
Charlestown Naval Yard. Take the Green or Orange lines to North Station, then follow the Freedom Trail.
Opening Times:
April 1- Sept 30: Tue-Sun, 10am-4pm
Oct 1 – March 31: Thurs-Sun, 10am-4pm
Closed all holidays
No Admission Fee
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