Voyage of the USS Constellation
from Baltimore to Annapolis
by Fran
Marinaro
Fran posted the following
to the TSB
board and it looked like something our readers would
enjoy, so with permission, here it is |
We started the day at 0-dark-15 (0615) by washing the decks
and getting things finalized and on deck for the voyage.
It’s hard to take pictures in the dark, with a broom
in your hand. |
| All hands stopped long enough for morning Colors and then
continued with final preparations including actual assignments.
Six of us were given the task of tending dock lines and
fenders as the Constellation left her pier. |
(click images to enlarge) |
(click images to enlarge)
|
We had a send-off ceremony complete with bagpipes
(I don’t know why.) and speeches by dignitaries and
those who made the trip possible – the Northrop Grumman
Corporation and a cast of thousands. |
| The voyage, by tug not by sail, was lead by a fireboat
and escort vessels from several government agencies. |
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(click images to enlarge)
|
Yes, the Constellation was really on her
way and the pier was empty BUT I, and several others were
still on the pier.
|
| We were given a ride on a National Aquarium
research boat to the tug next to the Constellation. We climbed
off of the boat to the tug, went up to a deck level with
a gun port and then went into the gun port. VERY EXCITING.
|
| As we passed Fort McHenry (Star Spangled Banner –
remember?), there was a fly-over by 4 A10 Wart Hogs. We
were now on the Chesapeake Bay. |
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(click images to enlarge)
|
Once we got everything stowed there was
very little else to do until we got to Annapolis so one
of our riggers decided to take a few pictures from the
main topsail yard.
|
| As we were approaching the Francis Scott Key Bridge someone
asked casually “Will we fit?” |
 |
 |
We had just added about 15 feet to the mast
height by putting up American Flags up on pig sticks. |
| We held our breath – bridges always look lower than
they are. |
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One of are escorts was the Pride of Baltimore
II, a fast top-sail schooner. (She was the “stunt
double” for the Amistad in the movie.) |
| We passed under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
and turned to starboard to Annapolis. |
|
As we approached Annapolis the line handlers, me and
5 others, reversed the earlier procedure (gun port to
tug to research vessel to dock) to wait for the Constellation.
|
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| The ship came in and, except for fenders
being out of place, was tied up with no problems. |
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After we got everything in order there was
a welcoming ceremony with the requisite dignitaries followed
by an open house on the Constellation with munchies, beer
and wine. |
I get to do it again for the return trip on Monday.
|
