Ever taken a tour of the USS Constitution? What was it like?

2015-01-20T19:34:11-05:00

I did when I was 8. But now you don't have to go to Boston.

Have you ever wanted to tour the ‪US Navy‬'s oldest commissioned warship, but haven't been to Boston? Well, thanks to Google, you can see USS Constitution's cannons, galley, berthing and much more!

Take the virtual tour now!
https://www.google.com/maps/views/view/streetview/us-highlights/uss-constitution-interior/thEm65hQ7uQAAAQZLBJ9Vw?gl=us&heading=339&pitch=77&fovy=75

Response by SPC Erica Simonsen made Jan 20 at 2015 10:06 PM

2015-01-20T22:06:57-05:00

Yes! We just moved from MA and last year the USO held an event for free for military members on the USS Constitution. Was incredible to be able to be on such an old and important vessel and hear stories that had been passed down about events that occurred on and below the decks. The whole area of Boston has such amazing historical sites that are worth seeing. Stop at Mike's Pastries for delicious treats when you need to refuel ;)

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jan 20 at 2015 10:18 PM

2015-01-20T22:18:17-05:00

Not the USS Constitution, but I have toured the USS Constellation in Baltimore.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Jan 20 at 2015 10:27 PM

2015-01-20T22:27:54-05:00

I have taken numerous tours of the Constitution, and it's Museum at the Charleston Naval yard over the last 30 years. My first post was Ft. Devens, MA, and my wife is from Boston so we visit often. It is quite an experience, well worth a revisit from time to time.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Jan 20 at 2015 10:34 PM

2015-01-20T22:34:35-05:00

If we're staying in Boston we start right at the Naval yard at the Constitution inn. Formerly a Navy hotel, now operated by the YMCA which offers great military rates. It's only a few hundred yards from the great ship, and from the water ferry that takes you inexpensively to the long WARF downtown. Lots to see in Boston... Bunker hill, North Church, Fanuiel hall.....

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made May 22 at 2015 11:01 AM

2015-05-22T11:01:52-04:00

This is a "must see"

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2015 3:08 PM

2015-06-12T15:08:58-04:00

I actually was sworn into the Navy on the Main Deck of the USS Constitution on July 21, 1998. In fact my whole recruit company was there, once we were sworn in we were bussed and marched to the airport on on to RTS Great Lakes to start training. We wore USS CONSTITUTION command ball caps during training instead of the normal "RECRUIT" ones.

Response by CSM William Payne made Jun 8 at 2016 2:37 PM

2016-06-08T14:37:47-04:00

In March 2008 while I was the Command Sergeant Major of the 108th Training Command in Charlotte, NC, the newly selected commander of our 98th Division was getting promoted to brigadier general at his alma mater, Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts. On the way back after the promotion ceremony I stayed over an extra day in Charlestown to see the USS Constitution and to explore Bunker Hill and historic Boston. There had just been a big snow storm that hit the coast.

My dad, who had retired from the Navy after 30 years of service in Rhode Island in 1967 and I had always planned to make a trip to go see Old Ironsides, but it never worked out before he passed away in 1997.

When I went into the park office there the Park Rangers told me that the Constitution was closed up for the winter and I could see that her top sections of the masts were down and there were tarps covering some of the main deck. But they encouraged me to go over to the Navy guard shack and see if they would let me take a couple of pictures up close.

So I went to the guard shack and found two young Sailors on duty. I asked if the Chief of the Boat was available and they said that he wasn't. So I asked who was in charge and they told me that Seaman Davenport was in charge and was on the boat. I told them that I was Command Sergeant Major Payne and I would like to talk to him, could they get him on the horn.

After a brief conversation he invited me onboard, upon coming up the ramp I faced the ensign and saluted and asked permission to come aboard, which was granted and I boarded the historic warship. I explained that about my dad, Chief Petty Officer Payne and I always wanted to visit the ship and asked if I could just take a few pictures, right there on the main deck.

Now Seaman Davenport was a good ole country boy from Tennessee that had been in the Navy a little over a year. From talking to him being assigned to the USS Constitution was similar an honor as serving in the Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment commonly known as the Old Guard. There was a selection process to get one of the few coveted billets. His primary function was to monitor water in the hold. Apparently, large wooden ships are not waterproof and in fact a certain amount of leakage is expected and is part of the ballast that helps to keep the ship upright. Part of his daily duty was to ensure that the water was at the required level for the daily mission, not too high, not too low.

Well for the next two hours Davenport took me on a tour, from stem to stern, port to starboard, from the main deck to the deepest holds of the orlop deck. We squeezed into the magazines in the bowels of the ship, he showed me the braces that were unique to the Constitution's hull to keep her from flexing under full sail, thus giving her greater speed for her size. He showed me what was left of the original wood still left over from her construction in 1794 and the copper left from the copper works in Paul Reveres' shop.

We toured the the ship's Captain Quarters on the starboard side and the mirror image Admiral's Quarters on the port side. I learned that those last two outside compartments on the rear of the ship not only offered a great view but also served as the latrines for the above officers.

Over the bow, he showed me the outhouse style seats in the rigging where the regular crew members did their business and explained to me that's where the Navy term of "Head" for latrines came from. Officers he explained, could make use of chamber pots to be emptied by the cabin boys.

He explained to me that in its fighting days there were almost two separate crews and when one crew was on duty the other was off. When the off crew was below deck they spent a lot of time sleeping in the hammocks they shared with their counterpart on the other crew. It was important to keep the noise down below decks so that only place the crew was allowed to talk was around the mess area or the barrel where fresh water for drinking was available. This barrel was known as the "scuttlebutt". Thus this is where the term for news, rumors or gossip became synonymous with the term scuttlebutt or the very first conversations around the water cooler.

When Davenport's watch relief came on board, instead of turning me over to him or ending our tour, he told the other young Sailor to maintain the watch and he finished giving me the tour.

When I asked him how it felt to serve on the second oldest commissioned Navy warship in the world behind Lord Nelson's HMS Victory, he smartly replied; Sir, the USS Constitution is a fully functional, fully crewed, floating warship. Once a year we set sail and take her out on a cruise, traditionally on the Independence Day to turn her around so that she weathers equally on both sides. This includes firing a salute to our nation with her guns. The HMS Victory on the other hand sits permanently on dry land in a dry dock. In the US Navy we respectfully call that a "building"!

Two hours and many many pictures later my grand tour finally came to an end. At which point I presented Seaman Davenport with one of our unit coins with the 108th Patch on the front and on the back the two division's insignias, the 95th and 98th, Major General's Stars and Command Sergeant Major Chevrons. It was the first time he had ever received anything like that and he was extremely grateful for receiving it. I took a picture of the two watch officers together, asked permission to go ashore, which was granted, saluted the ensign and ended the tour of a lifetime.

Response by PO3 Carmelo Coto made Jul 8 at 2016 9:32 PM

2016-07-08T21:32:25-04:00

The Yes I have. Back in, 1974, I Was a Tour guide. Aboard ship. Served a year there then moved on to my next duty station in North Carolina. Aboard the Uss Canisteo. If only I could turn back the hands of time..

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Mar 31 at 2020 3:03 PM

2020-03-31T15:03:43-04:00

I have toured the USS Constitution quite a few times. Once in a while I do get into Boston from the suburbs and this ship a huge part of the History of the US Navy and the United States. Boston has a Historic trail that can be easily walked and is well worth the time.