USS Constitution

Frommer's Review

"Old Ironsides," one of the U.S. Navy's six original frigates, never lost a battle. A tour, led by an active-duty sailor in an 1812 dress uniform, is an excellent introduction to an era when the future of the new nation was anything but certain. The ship was constructed in the North End from 1794 to 1797 at a cost of $302,718, using bolts, spikes, and other fittings from Paul Revere's foundry. As the United States built its naval and military reputation, the Constitution played a key role, battling French privateers and Barbary pirates, repelling the British fleet during the War of 1812, participating in 40 engagements, and capturing 20 vessels. The frigate earned its nickname during a battle on August 19, 1812, when shots from HMS Guerriere bounced off its thick oak hull as if it were iron.

Retired from combat in 1815, the Constitution was rescued from destruction when Oliver Wendell Holmes's poem "Old Ironsides" launched a preservation movement in 1830. The frigate was completely overhauled for its bicentennial in 1997, when it sailed under its own power for the first time since 1881, drawing international attention. Tugs tow the Constitution into the harbor every Fourth of July for its celebratory "turnaround cruise," and for occasional events around the harbor. If you see TV helicopters circling over the water, wander down and take a look.

Adjacent to the ship, National Park Service rangers staff the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center (tel. 617/242-5601), which opened in 2008, and give free 1-hour guided tours of the base.

To continue on the Freedom Trail: Walk straight ahead to the museum entrance.

Security on "Old Ironsides" -- The Charlestown Navy Yard, home to USS Constitution and the Constitution Museum, is a heavily guarded area. When this guide was published, a visitor center that incorporates a screening facility is in the works and scheduled to open in the summer of 2008. Regardless of the security arrangements during your visit, expect a search of your bags and a trip through a metal detector. And call ahead if the national terror alert is high; the navy yard closes to civilians at the first sign of a serious threat.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Back to Top