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Boston and Beyond

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  • An onlooker waves a colonial era flag as the USS Constitution passes through Boston Harbor yesterday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

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  • The USS Constitution fires one of her guns in Boston Harbor as a crowd looks on from the shore yesterday. The USS Constitution, the U.S. Navy's oldest commissioned war ship, sailed under her own power Sunday for the first time since 1997. The event was held to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the ship's victory over HMS Guerriere in the War of 1812. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

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  • Military reenactors in the uniforms of U.S. Marines from the war of 1812 march in front of the USS Constitution moments after the vessel arrived at her berth in Charlestown Navy Yard yesterday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

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  • U.S. Navy personnel gather sails in the rigging of the USS Constitution as the vessel arrives at her berth in Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston yesterday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

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  • The USS Constitution is escorted by a tugboat in Boston Harbor as a crowd looks on from the shore yesterday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

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  • The USS Constitution is escorted by a tugboat in Boston Harbor yesterday. The U.S. Navy's oldest commissioned war ship sailed under her own power during the event Sunday for the first time since 1997. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

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August 20, 2012

USS Constitution sets sail once again

Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — The 215-year-old USS Constitution has sailed for the first time since 1997, taking a 17-minute cruise across Boston Harbor.

The short trip Sunday was to commemorate the Navy ship’s victory over a British warship of a similar size in a fierce battle during the War of 1812. Following the battle, the Constitution was nicknamed “Old Ironsides.”

Chief Petty Officer Frank Neely says 285 lucky people were aboard Sunday as the Constitution reached a maximum speed of 3.1 knots.

The trip marks the first time the Constitution has set sail under its own power since turning 200 years old. The Navy ship is periodically tugged into the harbor for historical display.

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