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The U.S.S. Constitution, 'America's Ship Of State,' Reopens To Public Friday
The U.S.S. Constitution — the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat — reopens to the public Friday, just a little more than a week before the state lifts pandemic restrictions on nearly all industries.
Spokesman Elliott Fabrizio said "Old Ironsides," as the ship is nicknamed, has been closed since last November to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
"This ship is meant to be open to the public," he said. "It's America's ship of state, and it really drives it home for us what's significant about having this ship still in commission when we get to see it through the public's eyes."
Before reopening Friday afternoon, the ship will take its first trip around Boston Harbor in about 18 months.
There will be a 21-gun salute at Castle Island for the Navy ship and a 17-gun salute near the Charlestown shipyard where the U.S.S. Constitution was built in 1797.