USS Constitution Pike Drill Team

A short demonstration of historical boarding pike drill by the crew of the USS Constitution.

In the age of sail it was commonly the case that a naval battle would culminate in a desperate struggle with pistols, swords, knives and long spears known as boarding pikes. American sailors on Constitution practiced with such weapons to ensure they'd be ready should they face the test of battle. The US Navy sailors serving on the ship today preserve her historic contributions by pike drills, as they demonstrate here.

Berthed in Massachusetts's historic Charlestown Navy Yard, USS Constitution is America's Ship of State and the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Details on the ship, her crew, and her free public tours can be found at her website:

http://www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• USS Constitution
• Old Ironsides
• Charlestown Navy Yard
• War of 1812
• HMS Guerriere
• HMS Java
• combat
• navy
• navy battle
• age of sail
• frigate

[SuperToneDef]

It's nice to see the drill, instead of trying to figure it out from the original instructions per the U.S. pike drill manual. Although I must agree, some were anticipating the orders, not very military like. Looked like they were taught the drill an hour before the demo was made

[entmage]

I think they should wait until the order is given before moving.

Like "Order" move had across "Arms" bring down

should be

"Order Arms" move had across, bring down