16 Facts About The Constitution

1. North Dakota The Constitution lists eight of the state's 11 institutions of higher education.

2. The Constitution emerged from a three-year repair period in November 2010.

3. The Constitution is berthed at Pier One of the former Charlestown Navy Yard, at one end of Boston's Freedom Trail.

4. The Constitution broke loose from her dock on 21 September 1938 during the New England Hurricane and was blown into Boston Harbor where she collided with the destroyer Ralph Talbot; she suffered only minor damage.

5. The Constitution entered dry dock with a crowd of 10,000 observers on 16 June 1927.

6. The name The Constitution was originally destined for the lead ship of the class, but it got shuffled around between hulls until CC-5 was given the name; construction of CC-5 was canceled in 1923 due to the Washington Naval Treaty.

7. The Constitution was overhauled beginning in 1873 in order to participate in the centennial celebrations of the United States.

8. The Constitution was recommissioned on 22 December 1852 under the command of John Rudd.

9. The Constitution began a refitting in 1847 for duty with the Mediterranean Squadron.

10. The Constitution arrived in Boston on 31 May 1824, and Jones was relieved of command.

11. The Constitution experienced an uneventful tour, sailing in company with Ontario and Nonsuch, until crew behavior during shore leave gave Jones a reputation as a commodore who was lax in discipline.

12. The Constitution sailed offshore in search of prizes, leaving Hornet to await the departure of Bonne Citoyenne.

13. The Constitution captured three British merchantmen, which Hull burned rather than risk taking them back to an American port.

14. The Constitution had come alongside her so quietly that Maidstone had delayed answering with the proper hail while she readied her guns.

15. The Constitution busied herself with routine patrols and Talbot made diplomatic visits.

16. The Constitution was still not ready to sail and eventually had to borrow sixteen 18-pound cannons from Castle Island before finally being ready.