July 4th Weekend – The USS Constitution

Prairie Gold is docked in the Constitution Marina immediately adjacent to the USS Constitution. On July 4^th each year the USS Constitution is taken out for a spin in Boston Harbor where she delivers 21 canon salutes. We sailed out in advance of the USS Constitution to Castle Island where we anxiously awaited her arrival. She was led out by a fireboat, with hoses in full action.

When she arrived at Castle Island she turned to face the island and started her salute. This was an incredible event – canons were loud – and we were lucky to be able to get so close. We kept our asymmetric spinnaker in her bag while in the harbor (if you have seen earlier blog entries you will understand why). Of note, when she was taken back into dock in Charlestown, the USS Constitution was turned around so that over time each side of the boat gets the same exposure and wear and tear.

In the evening we sat on Prairie Gold in the marina where we were able to watch the North End July 4th firework display.