USS Constitution (1797)
A highlight of a visit to the Charlestown Navy Yard is the three-masted, wooden-hulled, 44-gun frigate USS Constitution. Nicknamed “Old Ironsides,” she is a commissioned United States Navy vessel, which makes her the world’s oldest warship that is still afloat.
Free tours of the ship are offered to the general public. These tours are led by active-duty US Navy crew members. Visit the USS Constitution webpage for more information.
Stern view of USS Constitution. 29 April 2026.
SPAR DECK
A commemorative bell marking the bicentennial of the War of 1812, USS Constitution. 29 April 2026.
Port guns on the forward part of the spar deck, USS Constitution. 29 April 2026.
Hammock netting, USS Constitution. The crew’s hammocks were stowed here when not in use. During battle, they provided some protection from small arms fire and flying debris. 29 April 2026.
Skylight on the spar deck above the great cabin, USS Constitution. 29 April 2026.
Starboard binnacle with compass on the spar deck, USS Constitution. The crew member(s) at the wheel would refer to this (or the one on the port side) when steering the ship. Unfortuntely, the ship’s wheel was not in place. 29 April 2026.
GUN DECK
Great cabin, USS Constitution. Located at the stern of the ship on the gun deck, this was the commanding officer’s quarters. 29 April 2026.
“Jumping Billy,” one of the guns on the gun deck, USS Constitution. A gun crew would often give their gun a name. 29 April 2026.
Galley stove and kettles and some of the starboard guns on the forward part of the gun deck, USS Constitution. The ship’s cook would prepare food for the crew in this area. 29 April 2026.
Scuttlebutt on the gun deck, USS Constitution. The scuttlebutt is a wooden barrel with a hole cut into it. It held drinking water for the crew. 29 April 2026.
One of the bilge pumps located on the gun deck, USS Constitution. As the name indicates, the pump was used to remove water from the ship’s bilge if needed. 29 April 2026.
Capstan on the gun deck, USS Constitution. 29 April 2026.
Commanding Officers plaque on the gun deck, USS Constitution. 29 April 2026.
BERTH DECK
Hammocks on the berth deck, USS Constitution. The 29 April 2026.
Tarred canvas bucket, berth deck, USS Constitution. 29 April 2026.
Opening to chain pipe on the berth deck, USS Constitution. The chain pipe was used to guide the ships’s anchor cable/chain down into the chain locker. 29 April 2026.
Grating over hatch on the berth deck looking down to the hold, USS Constitution. 29 April 2026.
Tiller room on the berth deck, USS Constitution. This area is located aft of the wardroom at the stern of the ship. If the ship’s wheel was damaged, the ship could be steered from here. 29 April 2026.
Officer’s cabin with canvas cot and desk, USS Constitution. 29 April 2026.
Wardroom, looking aft, USS Constitution. This space was used by the ship’s commissioned officers and master. Their cabins are located along both sides. 29 April 2026.
Wardroom, looking forward, USS Constitution. 29 April 2026.
ALOFT
Crew working on ratlines, USS Constitution. The ratlines are tied horizontally between the shrouds, which allows the crew to climb aloft. 29 April 2026.
Maritme Hawai‘i hopes you have enjoyed the views from Connecticut and Massachusetts. Back to Hawai‘i!
