Celebrating Trafalgar Day and the Anniversary of the Launching of “Old Ironsides”

Two hundred and nineteen years ago today, in 1805, the Royal Navy, commanded by Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets in the Atlantic off Cape Trafalgar.  The decisive victory ended French plans to use the combined … Continue reading

Black History Month Repost — David Debias, 8 Year Old Sailor on Old Ironsides

David Debias was a free black youth from the north side of Beacon Hill in Boston. In 1814, at only 8 years old, he signed aboard the USS Constitution, nicknamed “Old Ironsides.” He was rated as a ship’s boy and … Continue reading

Congratulations to Cmdr. Billie J. Farrell, First Woman to Command USS Constitution

Congratulations to Commander Billie J. Farrell who will be the 77th commanding officer and the first woman in the 224-year ship’s history to command the USS Constitution. She will assume command of the ship, known as Old Ironsides, during a … Continue reading

USS Constitution, Oldest Commissioned Vessel Afloat, Sets Topsails in Boston Harbor Cruise

The USS Constitution left its berth in the Charleston Navy Yard last Friday for a short cruise in Boston Harbor. CBS Boston reports that the ship fired a 21-gun salute while carrying 120 newly-trained Navy sailors. The sailors were recently selected … Continue reading

Heritage Desks From USS Constitution For Veep & SecNav

The Vice President and the Secretary of the Navy now each have new “heritage desks,”  built by Navy Seabees, using wood, fasteners, and fittings from historic US Navy ships.  The desk for Vice President Kamala Harris is made from wood, … Continue reading

Constitution Grove — the Navy’s White Oak Forest on a High Tech Base

The Royal Navy Admiral Collingwood would famously slip a handful of acorns into his pockets before taking a walk in the woods near his home. He would press an acorn into the soil whenever he saw a good place for … Continue reading

Celebrating Trafalgar Day and the Anniversary of the Launching of “Old Ironsides”

Two hundred and fifteen years ago today, in 1805, the Royal Navy, commanded by Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets in the Atlantic off Cape Trafalgar.  The decisive victory ended French plans to use the combined … Continue reading

Black History Month — David Debias, 8 Year Old Sailor on Old Ironsides

David Debias, was a free black youth from the north side of Beacon Hill in Boston. In 1814, at only 8 years old, he signed aboard the USS Constitution, nicknamed “Old Ironsides.” He was rated as a ship’s boy and … Continue reading

USS Constitution Shifts to Drydock

Last night, the USS Constitution was shifted to Dry Dock #1 at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. The ship, the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, will be undergoing a three year refurbishment. USS Constitution, nicknamed “Old Ironsides,” entered service in the U.S. Navy on … Continue reading

USS Constitution to Get Underway to Commemorate the D-Day & Midway

The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned naval warship afloat. The wooden three masted “super-frigate” in launched in 1797, is due for a three year overhaul and dry-docking starting in early 2015.  Before the historic ship enters the shipyard, she will leave the … Continue reading

On Guerriere Day, USS Constitution Sails Again, Briefly

On August 19, 1812, the 44-gun USS Constitution met the 38 gun HMS Guerriere in single ship combat off the coast of Nova Scotia.  During the battle the Constitution earned her nickname “Old Ironsides” when the British 18 pound shot was seen to bounce off … Continue reading

“Old Ironsides” – 1950’s Newsreel about USS Constitution

We recently posted about OpSail 2012 and Boston’s weeklong celebration of  the USS Constitution and the bicentennial of the War of 1812.  The USS Constitution, nicknamed “Old Ironsides” after British round shot bounced off her oak planks, is the world’s … Continue reading

OpSail Boston 2012 – June 30th to July 5th : Celebrating the USS Constitution and the War of 1812 Bicentennial

Beginning this Saturday, Boston Harbor will once again be filled with tall masts and square sails.  OpSail Boston 2012 is celebrating the USS Constitution and the bicentennial of the War of 1812.  The USS Constitution, nicknamed “Old Ironsides” after British round shot bounced off her oak planks, … Continue reading

Happy Trafalgar Day and the Anniversary of the Launching of “Old Ironsides”

Thanks to Maritime Great Britain for reminding us that today is indeed Trafalgar Day, commemorating Nelson’s victory over the French and Spanish fleets and his tragic death at the Battle of Trafalgar on this day in 1805. They also reminded us that on this day in … Continue reading

Post Irene Wrap-up: How the Ships & Boats Coped with the Storm

Hurricane Irene has swept past, not as bad as she could have been, but bad enough, nevertheless.  Downgraded to a tropical storm by 9AM this morning, she still caused significant flooding on the East coast, hitting  Philadelphia  particularly hard. The city, situated between the Delaware … Continue reading

“The Most Beautiful Ship” – Tall Ships and Bragging Rights

Bragging rights are kind of fun.  Whether they mean anything or not is often an open question. How one strings together the adjective phrases can make all the difference. For example, HMS Victory is said to be “the oldest commissioned … Continue reading