TRAVEL STORY
A Not-So-Hidden Jewel in Boston
USS CONSTITUTION — The Old Ironsides’ legacy since 1797
Thank you Lu Skerdoo for suggesting this interesting publication to me about a month ago. The concept of being a tourist in my own country is quite appealing. So here, I go, doing my bit!
Boston is filled with popular tourist destinations that are equally enjoyable for the locals. USS Constitution stands tall proudly among the skyscrapers, but this is a place that locals generally do not tend to visit.
The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned ship in the US Navy. It was built in 1797 and has proudly served in many wars including the 1812 war. It is run by the US Navy and continues to serve as a training ship and is open to the Public.
To beat the traffic on MA-24 and Boston City, I made it quite early to the Constitution Wharf. It looked enormous and majestic against the Boston sky.
I was surprised to find out that the visiting hours for the ship USS Constitution and its museum are different. The Museum is open from 9:30 AM till 5 PM, whereas the ship’s hours are from 10 AM till 6 PM. I figured they required a bit more time in the morning to get the ship nice and clean and to take care of any maintenance etc.
The museum is nice but I was here for the ship. There is a 10$ donation charged for entry to the museum while visiting USS Constitution is free of cost.
The museum is built for all ages and has some engaging games for kids and informative interactive screens. The gift shop is decent too for buying mementos and gifts. I did not spend much time at the museum and climbed aboard USS Constitution at 10 AM sharp.
The first thing that I normally see when I visit a ship is the Commanding Officers’ board — it gives you some context and history before starting a tour. I stood staring at the names of so many marvelous naval officers, long gone but their legacy lives on! Do spare a thought for Captain William Bainbridge, who commanded her during the war of 1812 and led her into a battle where she destroyed a British Ship, HMS Java.
I was honored to meet the first female Commanding Officer of the USS Constitution. Kudos to the US Navy for breaking barriers! The Navy has had several female Commanding Officers, but appointing one onboard a ship that reflects more past than present is awesome.
The first thing I noticed as I went one deck below was the large guns — modern ships do not carry as many. It is understandable, for in the day and age of sail, these ships would close enemy ships and fight it out at almost point-blank range. It was similar to the infantry one-on-one battles, I could imagine the two captains standing on their respective ships, looking each other in the eye before the final showdown.
I stood behind a gun, trying to imagine what it would have felt like back in the day. I could hear the gunner, barking his instructions — navy sailors running around with cannons and the gunners being blinded by smoke and deafened by the noise!
After persistent firing, these guns would heat up and require cooling water to be cooled off before the next firing sequence. As I roamed around, I realized that many lives were lost on this deck during fierce battles — I could sense the spirits of many brave sailors who had laid their lives for their country.
After a strenuous day of fighting and working on deck, the crew would go to sleep in their hammocks — the white things neatly folded and hanging on the side. Only the ship’s captain had a proper bed.
The wounded and the sick were treated on the same deck in a ‘sick bay’ — the naval term for a field hospital/ clinic. No wonder so many people died of infection and disease back in the day.
Here is a quick look at the place where Officers worked and were served meals.
Overall, it was a great reminder of the rich legacy and history of USS Constitution. Through my visit, I wanted to honor the sailors that had served onboard.
I was told that school visits were pretty common. Also due to the rich history, many Navy and Marine Corps personnel choose USS Constitution as a venue for re-enlisting, promotions, and other events.
I enjoyed reading Shanti C K’s fancy culinary experience in Singapore.
I enjoyed reading Sandy Maximus’s story about enjoying chai in NYC while reading a book. I liked how she embraces NYC with all its imperfections — therein, lies a lesson for us all.
