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"Old Ironsides" to Undergo Repair Availability

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070807-10
Release Date: 8/7/2007 5:44:00 PM

From Naval Historical Center Public Affairs

BOSTON (NNS) -- USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned ship in the Navy, will undergo a pierside repair availability commencing in October 2007.

This will be most extensive restoration effort on the ship in 11 years and is estimated to be completed in September 2009.

"The repairs that are scheduled during this availability are a continuation of the work that was accomplished during her last major dry-dock period, and we have used that restoration period as a baseline for this one," said Richard Whelan, director of the Naval Historical Center Detachment Boston, the organization responsible for the planning and accomplishment of all repairs and restoration work on board "Old Ironsides."

"We expect that these major repairs that are currently planned for USS Constitution will be one more step in the process of restoring her to her 1812 configuration and keep her sailing well into the 21st century," said Whelan.

The major work planned is the replacement of the spar deck, or "top deck," of the ship. This will include reinstallation of the camber in the spar deck to help prevent rain water from seeping into the interior.

The camber is the arch or slope from side-to-side of a vessel's weather deck for water drainage.

Other work includes an electrical system upgrade that will allows for improved lighting and power distribution, replacement of the catheads, and lowering the caprail height back to her 1812 configuration.

Replacement of various masts and spars will also be completed.

“While Constitution will not be put in dry dock, the ship will not be conducting annual turnaround events during the maintenance period," said Cmdr. William Bullard, the ship's 70th commanding officer. "Following the completion of all scheduled work, USS Constitution expects to resume annual turnaround cruises in the summer of 2010.”

The ship will remain open for visitation during the repair.

Constitution's last major overhaul was conducted from 1992 through 1996. While the ship was dry-docked in the former Boston Navy yard, she underwent a hull strengthening initiative that included the installation of diagonal riders. This allowed her to sail under her own power in July 1997, for the first time in 116 years.

The 209-year-old ship is homeported in the Boston National Historical Park in Charlestown, Mass., and is one of the major tourist attractions on Boston’s Freedom Trail.