Simviation Forum - 1797 - Oldest Warship still in Commission

Oct 21^st, 2005 at 11:28am

Felix/FFDS Offline
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launched - frigate, USS Constitution. While on permanent display in Boston (moored), it is still a commissioned US warship, and considered to be the oldest warship still in commissioned (albeit ceremonial) service.

Although older, the USS Constellation is moored in Baltimore, but is not carried on the US Navy roster.

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Reply #1 - Oct 21^st, 2005 at 12:15pm

Woodlouse2002 Offline
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Actually...

HMS Victory is still a Royal Navy ship and was launched in 1765 and commissioned in 1778. Twenty years before Consitution was launched.

Though to be fair, Victory is in a drydock while the Constitution is still floating.

I'm suprised you forgot Victory. On this of all days. (Trafalgar bi-centenary.)

Woodlouse2002 PITA and BAR!!!!!!!!&&&&Our Sovereign Lord the King chargeth and commandeth all persons, being assembled, immediately to disperse themselves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations, or to their lawful business, upon the pains contained in the Act made in the first year of King George the First for preventing tumults and riotous assemblies. God Save the King.&&&&Viva la revolution!

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Reply #2 - Oct 21^st, 2005 at 12:31pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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I'm suprised you forgot Victory. On this of all days. (Trafalgar bi-centenary.)

I didn't forget about it - just it's name. I take most of me "Today in History" notes from the History Channel, which, apart from being US-centric (not suprisingly, I'd expect the BBC to be Anglo-centric), made mention of the Constitution ...

I wonder if their perception/claim may be to some unwitting technicality ...??

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Reply #3 - Oct 21^st, 2005 at 12:46pm

Woodlouse2002 Offline
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Constitution is the worlds oldest floating comissioned warship. A lot of people overlook the word floating and hence the mistake.

She's quite a ship though and she and her sisterships gave the Royal Navy a rude shock in the war of 1812. Sadly though after the first spate of engagements the American vessels stopped coming out of port so the score was never fully satisfied. (England had to make do with HMS Shannons' victory over the USS Chesapeake as a means of regaining confidence in the Royal Navy.)

Woodlouse2002 PITA and BAR!!!!!!!!&&&&Our Sovereign Lord the King chargeth and commandeth all persons, being assembled, immediately to disperse themselves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations, or to their lawful business, upon the pains contained in the Act made in the first year of King George the First for preventing tumults and riotous assemblies. God Save the King.&&&&Viva la revolution!

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Reply #4 - Oct 21^st, 2005 at 12:57pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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Quote:

Constitution is the worlds oldest floating comissioned warship. A lot of people overlook the word floating and hence the mistake.

Bingo - after reading your posting, I went and reread the article:

Quote:

Today, the Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat.

(bold emphasis added)

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #5 - Oct 21^st, 2005 at 1:01pm

Woodlouse2002 Offline
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There we go then.

As an interesting side note, the ship was commissioned on the 6th of October. Over two weeks before launch. Now compare that with the 12 years of weathering HMS Victory was given between her launch and commissioning. Shocked

Woodlouse2002 PITA and BAR!!!!!!!!&&&&Our Sovereign Lord the King chargeth and commandeth all persons, being assembled, immediately to disperse themselves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations, or to their lawful business, upon the pains contained in the Act made in the first year of King George the First for preventing tumults and riotous assemblies. God Save the King.&&&&Viva la revolution!

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Reply #6 - Oct 22^nd, 2005 at 1:05am

H Offline
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...As an interesting side note, the ship was commissioned on the 6th of October. Over two weeks before launch. Now compare that with the 12 years of weathering HMS Victory was given between her launch and commissioning. Shocked

I guess it was fortunate that such faith could be put in the shipbuilders that the ship didn't need years of testing. Just get out in the water and go. 8)

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Reply #7 - Oct 23^rd, 2005 at 6:37am

Woodlouse2002 Offline
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I guess it was fortunate that such faith could be put in the shipbuilders that the ship didn't need years of testing. Just get out in the water and go. 8)

It wasn't testing. The ship was left so the wood could season. This is usually done with wooden boats before it is actually built, where the wood to be used is left for a few years to dry out. With Victory I don't doubt the wood had been seasoned for at least 10 years before building but she was also left as a complete ship to season further. It's one of the reasons she hasn't rotted away into a pile of rather nasty compost yet.

Woodlouse2002 PITA and BAR!!!!!!!!&&&&Our Sovereign Lord the King chargeth and commandeth all persons, being assembled, immediately to disperse themselves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations, or to their lawful business, upon the pains contained in the Act made in the first year of King George the First for preventing tumults and riotous assemblies. God Save the King.&&&&Viva la revolution!

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Reply #8 - Oct 25^th, 2005 at 4:01am

H Offline
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With Victory I don't doubt the wood had been seasoned for at least 10 years before building but she was also left as a complete ship to season further. It's one of the reasons she hasn't rotted away into a pile of rather nasty compost yet.

Neither has the Constitution. Wink

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Reply #9 - Oct 25^th, 2005 at 8:46am

Felix/FFDS Offline
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Both vessels received very tender loving care.

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Reply #10 - Nov 15^th, 2005 at 9:57am

Woodlouse2002 Offline
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Neither has the Constitution. Wink

My comparisons were more with the Cutty Sark. I shouldn't think there's much original material left in either the Victory or Constitution.

Woodlouse2002 PITA and BAR!!!!!!!!&&&&Our Sovereign Lord the King chargeth and commandeth all persons, being assembled, immediately to disperse themselves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations, or to their lawful business, upon the pains contained in the Act made in the first year of King George the First for preventing tumults and riotous assemblies. God Save the King.&&&&Viva la revolution!

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