USS Constitution sails at 215 years young…

USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America, she is the world’s oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat. She was built in 1797, fought in the War of 1812,  and defeated five British warships: HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane and Levant. She continued to actively serve the nation as flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons, and circled the world in the 1840s. During the American Civil War she served as a training ship for the United States Naval Academy and carried artwork and industrial displays to the Paris Exposition of 1878. Retired from active service in 1881, she served as a receiving ship until designated a museum ship in 1907 and in 1934 she completed a three-year, 90-port tour of the nation.

In the past 134 years she has only sailed under her own power for her 200th birthday in 1997, and again in this month, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of her victory over Guerriere.

Here is what she looks like today at age 215:

Specs:
Type:     44-gun frigate
Tonnage:     1,576
Displacement:     2,200 tons
Length:     204 ft (62 m) billet head to taffrail;
175 ft (53 m) at waterline
Beam:     43 ft 6 in (13.26 m)
Height:     foremast: 198 ft (60 m)
mainmast: 220 ft (67 m)
mizzenmast:172.5 ft (52.6 m)
Draft:     21 ft (6.4 m) forward
23 ft (7.0 m) aft
Depth of hold:     14 ft 3 in (4.34 m)
Decks:     Orlop, Berth, Gun, Spar
Propulsion:     Sail (three masts, ship rig)
Sail plan:     42,710 sq ft (3,968 m2) on three masts
Speed:     13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph)
Boats and landing
craft carried:     1 × 36 ft (11 m) longboat,
2 × 30 ft (9.1 m) cutters,
2 × 28 ft (8.5 m) whaleboats,
1 × 28 ft (8.5 m) gig,
1 × 22 ft (6.7 m) jolly boat,
1 × 14 ft (4.3 m) punt[2]
Complement:     450 including 55 Marines and 30 boys (1797)
Armament:     30 × 24-pounder (11 kg) long gun,
20 × 32-pounder (15 kg) carronade,
2 × 24-pounder (11 kg) bow chasers

(AP Photo)

The mission of the Constitution is to promote understanding of the Navy’s role in war and peace through active participation in public events and education through outreach programs, public access, and historic demonstration. Her crew of 60 officers and enlisted men participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events while keeping the ship open to visitors year-round and providing free tours. The crewmen are all active-duty members of the U.S. Navy, and the assignment is considered to be special duty in the Navy. The Constitution is the oldest commissioned vessel afloat in the world. Though she is not the oldest active-duty warship in the U.S. Navy. As of 2012, that ship is the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65).