Watch ‘Old Ironsides’ return to the water after 2-year restoration
After being dry docked for more than two years during its first major restoration in decades, the USS Constitution is afloat again.
The 230-year-old ship — known as “Old Ironsides” for her 19th century naval victories — had been dry docked at Charlestown Navy Yard since 2015 for work on her hull and other integral parts of the ship’s design. But on Sunday night she returned to the water.
https://www.facebook.com/USSConstitutionMuseum/videos/10155664734635625/
A crowd of about 300 people gathered as officials began flooding the dry dock around 4:15 p.m., according to The Boston Globe. Just before 10 p.m., the ship floated off its keel and slid into Boston Harbor about an hour later, the paper reported.
According to MassLive, the movement of the ship was paused briefly around 11:20 p.m. when a military member assigned to the undocking event lost consciousness while standing with the crowds on the dock. Emergency Medical Services told the Globe the incident was not serious. and Lt. Cmdr. Tim Anderson, executive officer of the USS Constitution, told MassLive the woman is recovering well.
To commemorate the day, the USS Constitution Museum hosted an array of events Sunday at the Navy Yard. In a Facebook Live video, Navy officials also answered questions about the USS Constitution, its history, and the ship’s operations today.
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