1797 - Oldest Warship still in Commission

[Felix/FFDS]

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.

[Woodlouse2002]

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.)

[Felix/FFDS]

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 ...??

[Woodlouse2002]

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.)

[Felix/FFDS]

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:

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

(bold emphasis added)

[Woodlouse2002]

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.

[H]

...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.

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.

[Woodlouse2002]

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.

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.

[H]

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.

[Felix/FFDS]

Both vessels received very tender loving care.

[Woodlouse2002]

Neither has the Constitution.

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