The USS Constitution is the United States’s oldest commissioned warship. Launched in 1797, she was one of our first six frigates, with three masts and 52 guns. She’s most famous for her actions in the War of 1812, during which her defeat of the British warship HMS Guerriere earned her the nickname “Old Ironsides” after British cannonballs bounced mostly harmlessly off the Constitution’s hard wooden hull.
These days, with the age of wooden sailing warships long behind us, the Constitution spends most of her time docked in Boston, available for tours. I recently mounted a family trip to take in some American history and visit some writer friends in Boston, where I had planned to get my eyes on the John Adams and John Quincy Adams homes and my boots on the deck of the Constitution. My stars, was I excited for my chance to walk the decks of the famous old fighting ship. I’ve read the books. I read the Constitution museum and ship websites. I was as ready to board that ship as anyone since Capt. Isaac Hull took command of the vessel in 1810. I did my best to rouse my family’s excitement.
“Can you believe we’re going to be able to walk around on this amazing ship?” I asked my young daughter. It was the All-American Family Vacation. We traveled nearly 3,000 miles, excited to see this ship. Boston’s streets are tricky, but in the crushing Boston heat and humidity, we finally stepped up to the fence on the port side of the Constitution. There, we saw the sign. The ship was closed due to unforeseen maintenance problems. I was Clark W. Griswold from the classic 1983 film National Lampoon’s Vacation, reaching the cherished destination only to find it closed.
“Fiddle!” I exclaimed. (That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.) Instead of holding a security guard hostage as Griswold does in the movie, I talked to 27-year-old Petty Officer 2nd Class Dominic Harris, an active duty sailor in the U.S. Navy who is stationed aboard the Constitution. A few years ago, seeking to challenge himself with something new, Harris applied and was accepted for duty aboard the historic ship. He had six months of intense training, learning the old ship’s parts, her rigging, and the difference between a bowsprit and a ratline, as well as her history, commanders, and major engagements. Born and raised in Baltimore, Harris is proud to serve aboard the Constitution, share her incredible history with visitors, and be part of her history.
A black man, Harris looked upon the Constitution with pride. From her earliest days over 200 years ago, free black men served side by side with their white shipmates. “A hundred years from now, I’ll still be part of her history,” Harris said. He takes great pride in teaching lucky, promising new sailors straight out of boot camp about the Constitution’s unique attributes.
The ship is towed out for short cruises seven times a year. Harris has traveled on her 18 times — 18 voyages on the incredible vessel! He’s spent the night aboard supervising special Boy Scout events. He loves firing her old guns and climbing her rigging for sail maintenance. Soon, Harris will switch over to the Navy Reserve, seeking a new career in civilian law enforcement, but his Navy uniform will be adorned with Constitution medals, and he will carry the proud memory of service aboard America’s greatest ship.
As for me, I’m discouraged, being robbed of the chance to board the ship, but I’m grateful to meet a great man like Harris, and I’ll return to Boston in the future to, at last, tour the Constitution.
Trent Reedy served as a combat engineer in the Iowa National Guard from 1999 to 2005, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
*Some names and call signs in this story may have been changed due to operational security or privacy concerns.
