USS Constitution

The Boston Globe reported that the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") would be doing a turn-around in the harbor for the first time after three years in dry dock, replacing the copper sheeting on her bottom, and many of the main "Knees" which support the ships gun decks.  She is turned so that she can weather evenly.  So I planned to take the Hingham ferry into Boston in hopes of being near her when she was in the water.  Well.  It was very successful.  I took good friend Glenn Soulia (former navy man) in with me, and got some great shots of one of the greatest ships still afloat,  The only disappointment was that she was not fully rigged, and had no top masts, spars and most of her jib boom.  But, still, look at these!  Is there a better place to live than close to a great harbor?

White-breasted Nuthatch taken earlier in the week.

And here she is, coming out of the harbor.  She has no internal motor, naturally, having been constructed

in 1797, so she is guided by tugs, very, very carefully.

Crossing right in front of us, Castle Island in the rear.

Most of the passengers on the ferry were unaware that this special sighting would happen.

No, not the Constitution, but a small "Pirate ship" close to Rowes Wharf.

The best part of the day was that, on the way in, the light was behind the

ship, making much detail hard to photograph, but when we took the

ferry back out, she came by our port side, with full sun.  Magnificent

What I wouldn't give to be in those fighting tops 80 feet above the deck!

A spectacular day for photography. Could have used a few clouds

and a Northern Gannet flying by. 

Cruise ships at Black Falcon Terminal.

These artillery field pieces were in front of the fort, but I couldn't tell if they

participated in the canon salute.  I assume the battery on top of the fort took part.

One final look back.