USS Constitution turnaround June 4th 2010

USS Constitution conducted an underway exercise in commemoration of the Battle of Midway on the 68th anniversary of the hallmark American victory in the era of the "fighting flat-tops". This turnaround was also made special by the presence of its featured guests, over 125 members of the Wounded Warrior Project -- veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Visible throughout are the temporary shelter on the deck and reduced rig -- temporary signatures of the undergoing restoration of the ship that will soon vanish as her vigorous fighting form is faithfully renewed.

CDR Gillen (commander of Constitution, 1978-80) and RADM Robert Wray spoke in honor of the men who fought at Midway, touching on little-appreciated aspects of intelligence and sacrifice on that dramatic day.

An exchange of 21 gun salutes with Army howitzers at Castle Island's Fort Independence placed an exclamation point on the morning immediately after, before CDR Timothy Cooper bestowed promotions on three of the crew.

A troupe of the 3 USO representatives in colorful outfits may be seen here, hosts of the festive catered BBQ lunch for the Wounded Warriors that followed the exercise, though it is not depicted here. The lunch typified the support and respite this group offers US service personnel across the globe.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• USS Constitution
• Wounded Warriors Project
• Fort Independence
• Castle Island
• Charlestown Navy Yard
• frigate
• cannon
• salute
• USO

[kruat43]

where are her masts and spars?

[SleepyTymeT]

@kruat43 Yes, it was unfortunate that I got my best (2 camera) underway opportunity when the ship was in a rather reduced state. The biggest change from the latest refitting has been to remove her spar deck bulwark (the "wall" that surrounds her topmost deck) for 1/3 of her length, replacing it with iron bars that would hold bedding for drying or simple life lines.

[WCOG053]

@kruat43 at 1:04 you can see them pierside. Normally the ship isn't fully dressed like you might expect. Never been sure why, but if I had to guess it's to reduce environmental effects on the topmasts, spars, sheets etc. There's videos of the ship underway elsewhere if you want to see what that looks like.

[USMarineRifleman0311]

seriously, those soldiers dont look more out of place than anything I can imagine

[USMarineRifleman0311]

take that HMS victory

[usmarine1814]

@kruat43 SHe was being refit over the previous year or two. She is now in great shape, built to her War of 1812 specs.

[divergent001]

Ein wunderschönes Schiff.