Dear kolehy ta vidvidyvachi blogy!
foto z najstarishoho korabluka v U.S.Navy
USS CONSTITUTION is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the
world - "commissioned" meaning it is an active duty Navy warship.
Old Ironsides is 100 percent seaworthy and is in outstanding condition
for a ship more than two centuries old.
To celebrate her strength and beauty, and to commemorate certain events
during the year, she performs several underway demonstrations,
the most famous of which is July 4th.
Each winner is allowed to bring a guest with them for the demonstration.
Travel to and from Boston and lodging are at your own expense.
No one under 5 years old may apply for the lottery
nor be allowed on board for the turnaround.
USS Constitution was one of six frigates authorized for construction by an act of Congress in 1794. Joshua Humphreys designed them to be the Navy’s capital ships. Larger and more heavily armed than the standard run of frigate, Constitution and her sisters were formidable opponents even for some ships of the line.


Built in Boston of resilient live oak, Constitution’s planks were up to seven inches thick. Paul Revere forged the copper spikes and bolts that held the planks in place and the copper sheathing that protected the hull. Thus armed, she first put to sea in July 1798 and saw her first service patrolling the southeast coast of the United States during the Quasi-War with France.


In 1803 she was designated flagship for the Mediterranean squadron under Captain Edward Preble and went to serve against the Barbary States of North Africa, which were demanding tribute from the United States in exchange for allowing American merchant vessels access to Mediterranean ports.


Preble began an aggressive campaign against Tripoli, blockading ports and bombarding fortifications. Finally Tripoli, Tunisia and Algeria agreed to a peace treaty.


Constitution patrolled the North African coast for two years after the war ended, to enforce the terms of the treaty.


She returned to Boston in 1807 for two years of refitting. The ship was recommissioned as flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron in 1809 under Commodore John Rodgers.


More information
Cheers, Mike Pavliuk