Seems like a ghostly ship, though I am sure it had sides of iron when I was upon her several years ago. Perhaps this is a clue to her identity. Not sure what the snake like thing in the water is beside it.

John Paul Jones never saw it from this angle. Maybe the navy should move it indoors to make it more impressive!

This ship is 70 years younger, but, at least it looks better and it's drinkable. See "Norwegian"s post and string of 3/29.

Another famous ship, in Baltimore's Inner Harbour. Last of the Civil War ships, see here for info.

The USS Constitution "Old Ironsides" is still in the water because it is still a commisioned sailboat. It still gets underway annually.

Just as an aside - it is the oldest comissioned warship still in service - in any capacity - with any navy on the face of the planet. Not bad for such a relatively-young country, hmm?

She is moved annually to turn her around - which, not incidentally, changes which way she "leans", and the change in her lean is important for maintaining the integrity of her hull (rather like you might need to shift your legs around a bit after sitting in the same position for several hours).

In the past, this was done with tugs, and she was merely towed about. However, a few years ago, it was determined to try and actually SAIL her around the harbor ... and despite there beign barely a breath of wind, and having put up only one quarter of her sails ... she still managed to make about 4 or 6 knots, surprising even the more enthusiatic among the naval historians commenting on the televised event.

Just a little trivia from someone born in Boston, and who still manages to get back into the city several times a year. ^_^

I think you'll find that HMS Victory lays claim to being the oldest commisioned warship on the planet. It was already some 40 years old when it served as Nelson's flagship at Trafalgar in 1805. No more than you would expect from a long established nation with a fabulous history!!

This ship is young compared to the victory. ;-)


HMS Victory stats:

keel laid in 1759, launched 1765, and commissioned in 1778 to present.


Old ironsides:

built between 1794 - 1797 & commissioned in 1797


That said nice looking old frigate!! I dont know how old the Trincomalee is in Hartlepool (similar sized vessel)