USS Constitution at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston
Charlestown Navy Yard Main Page
GENERAL INFORMATION
The USS Constitution is one of the first six ships ever built for the United States Navy and the oldest naval ship in the world that is still in commission. This means that it is still owned and operated by the Navy and is manned by a full crew of active-duty Navy sailors.
Construction on the ship began in 1794 at the Edmund Hartt Shipyard in north Boston and was completed in November 1797. Though not built at the Charlestown Navy Yard, the Constitution has been serviced here many times since Dry Dock 1 opened in 1833. The most recent renovation took place between May 2015 and July 2017. The ship is now docked at the Navy Yard and is open to visitors year-round. Over a half million people tour the ship each year.
USS Constitution being repaired in Dry Dock 1 at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston
The USS Constitution saw most of its battles in the War of 1812 though it continued as an active warship until 1855, by which time it had been rendered obsolete due to advances in technology. After serving as a training ship and even a floating barracks, the Constitution was restored in 1907 and designated a museum ship used for education, publicity, and national good will, a role that it still serves today.
Bow of the USS Constitution at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston
PUBLIC ACCESS
The USS Constitution is open to the public whenever docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard, part of Boston National Historical Park. However, because it is still an active-duty United States Navy ship, visitors must pass through security before boarding. The security entrance is at the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center building, which is operated by the National Park Service. Jackets, belts, and other bulky clothing items must be removed, and visitors must pass through a metal detector. Bags are manually inspected. You can bring purses and backpacks, even suitcases, but once they have been inspected you must keep them with you at all times. No strollers are allowed on the ship. Furthermore, the ship is not handicap accessible, so those in wheelchairs or who require walkers will not be allowed to board. You must be able to walk on your own.
Everyone 18 and older must have a government issued photo identification. IDs can be driver’s licenses, passports, Green Cards, etc. Those under 18 are exempt from the ID rule, but must board with parents or a person 18 or older.
Passing through security really slows the boarding process. You could be waiting for an hour or more on a busy day during the summer. I was at the Navy Yard on multiple occasions, and I can’t tell you how many times I decided to “come back when the line dies down” only to find that it never died down. I was there during the week and on a weekend, and the line seemed to be the same. Thus, if you want to see the ship, just bite the bullet and get in line. The only thing I can recommend is to arrive when the ship opens. You can never go wrong arriving first thing in the morning whenever standing in a line is involved.
OPERATING HOURS AND FEES
The operating schedule for the USS Constitution varies based on the season. Get the latest schedule on the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for Boston National Historical Park.
There is no fee to board the ship.
TOURING THE SHIP
Visitors to the USS Constitution are welcome to tour the ship on their own. Active-duty Navy sailors dressed in 1813s—the uniform pattern established in 1813—are on duty to answer questions, and there are usually three decks open (there are four decks in total). Travel between decks entails going up or down very steep staircases.
No tours are conducted due to the extreme number of visitors, but a sailor usually gives a 15-minute introductory lecture about the ship’s history. There is no schedule, but as soon as one ends and enough new people have boarded the ship, the sailor will start a new lecture. Look for him or her on the top deck of the ship.
Sailor gives a lecture on the history of the USS Constitution
The spar deck is the top deck of the ship, and it is on this deck where visitors first set foot on the USS Constitution. Spars are the various poles and beams used in the rigging of a ship, and spare spars are stored on this deck, plus it is where the masts and sails are found. This is also the location of the helm (steering wheel) and nearly two dozen cannon. The spar deck is usually the busiest deck on the ship. From here the captain gives his orders, and sailors maneuver the sails and ropes to catch the best wind.
Helm of the USS Constitution
The guns currently on the spar deck are the largest on the ship: 32-pounders, meaning they can fire a cannonball that weighs 32 pounds. These and all guns currently on the USS Constitution are replicas cast in the 20th century. As of 1855, the Constitution was no longer a ship of war, and by 1897 all guns had been removed.
Guns on the spar deck of the USS Constitution
The next deck down is the gun deck. There were thirty 24-pounders on the USS Constitution, fifteen on each side arranged in five-gun divisions.
24-pounder guns on the gun deck of the USS Constitution
Gun deck of the USS Constitution
Cannon could shoot more than just round balls. To kill men on an enemy ship when at close range, cannister shot was used. This was a cannister full of small iron balls that worked similar to a shotgun shell. There was also specialized shot for tearing sails and shattering masts such as two halves of a cannonball joined together by a metal bar. Cannon also shot chain links for this purpose. The aim of a naval battle was not to sink a ship, but to render it useless so that the enemy had to surrender. It was hard to sink a ship with a cannonball to begin with, plus enemy ships could be confiscated, repaired, and used by the victor. Captured ships that were beyond repair or impossible to sail were blown up after all valuable goods had been confiscated and the enemy prisoners had been removed. An exhibit of various cannonballs and other shot is on display on the gun deck.
Cannon balls and other shot on display on the gun deck of the USS Constitution
The captain’s greater cabin and aft cabin are also on the gun deck. In addition to sleeping and eating in these cabins, the captain used them to plan battles and entertain guests.
Captain’s cabin on the USS Constitution
The lowest deck on the USS Constitution that is open to visitors is the berth deck. This is where the lower ranking officers and sailors slept. There were typically 400 sailors on board along with 50 or so marines, a dozen mid-shipmen (officers in training, often young men 12 to 20 years old from wealthy families), and a dozen officers. The marines were the men who climbed the masts and acted as sharpshooters, as well as boarded the enemy ship for hand-to-hand combat once the two ships were very close to each other. This was often done by swinging from ropes just like you see in the Hollywood pirate movies.
Hammocks on the berth deck of the USS Constitution
Near the rear of the ship is the wardroom, the area used by officers for eating and socializing.
Wardroom on the berth deck of the USS Constitution
SCHEDULING YOUR TIME
Not counting waiting in line at security, I spent about an hour touring the USS Constitution. This gave me time to listen to a sailor’s lecture and even ask him a few questions afterwards, plus visit and photograph all three decks. As I mentioned, often the line is long, but during a recent visit I walked right through security and was at the ship minutes later, so no telling what you might encounter. Show up first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds, and if the line is long, just get in it. There’s not much more you can do.
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Last updated on February 2, 2024
