Moving the Constellation ~ March 21st, 2011

It was a dark and stormy Monday morning as I drove over the Patapsco River on the Francis Scott Key bridge near Baltimore. Lightening was flashing, big rain drops smacked the windshield, and the wind made crossing the bridge very interesting.

It was just getting light when I parked near the graving dock and took a photo of Constellation through the rain. Inside the building I joined some other folks - mostly volunteers - in some breakfast before going aboard the ship.

A cherry picker hoisted us up to a gun port through which we climbed, or, in my case, clambered, aboard.

The dock's gate had been pumped out, lifting it from it's notch, and was being towed aside by two tugs. With that done, the Vane Brothers tug Alexander Duff and Smith Shipyard's tug Captain Steve entered the dock. They moved the submarine Torsk out to another pier - Constellation was going home first.

With the Duff in place and the Steve ready to assist, the lines were cast off and Constellation was backed out of the big graving dock.

Out side the dock the ship was turned, headed towards Baltimore, and off we went, at about 6 knots, in the diminishing rain and chilly wind.

Being on the ship underway was a treat. I watched her bow wave thinking how rare it was to see one on a 159 year old sailing warship. The harbor was rather calm despite the breeze, and there wasn't much movement to be felt except when the tug changed her position or speed.

Near the inner harbor, the ship was turned again near the Domino Sugar plant to go in stern first. Usually she'd be turned at the end of her dock as part of the public show, but the fluky winds in the closer quarters by her dock would have made it a bit iffy.

The ship was slipped safely into her berth, lines made fast, and the gangway brought aboard. Then it was a run down to the Duff and head back to Sparrows Point to get the sub - or in my case, get my car and go home.

Graving dock at Sparrows Point to right, the blue line is the course back to Pier One Baltimore, at right.	A few days before the dock was flooded.	Monday morning - Constellation in the graving dock at Sparrows Point Shipyard.
Getting some breakfast while waiting to board.	First Class Sloop of War Constellation.	Climbing aboard through a gunport from a cherry-picker while the Torsk is prepped to move.
Moving the Torsk.	Taking in the dock lines. The fellow in the red coat is Chris Rosom - director of "Historic Ships Baltimore" which manages Constellation. He and I sailed on the Pride of Baltimore together in 1981. The man has a difficult job and works very hard at it.	Tug getting into position.
"Tall Paul" ready to cast off lines. Paul is the manager of the Constellation herself Another Pride of Baltimore alumnus	Your reporter.	Underway: a rare opportunity to see the ship with a bow wave. (see video below)
Headed toward Fort Carroll and the Francis Scott Key bridge.	Passed under the bridge.	Baltimore from the catting port.
Hauling a$$ past Fort McHenry.	Turning the ship at Domino Sugar to take her in stern first. (see video below)	Approaching her berth.
Stern first approach.	Constellation's usual home - Pier One, Baltimore.	Backing into the slip.
I'm the guy in the green jacket and blue jeans.	Bringing the gangway aboard.	On the Vane Brother's tug "Alexander Duff" and headed back to Sparrows Point.
Back at her berth.	As I'm leaving Sparrows Point, the tugs get set to take the Torsk back to her berth at the aquarium.	Submarine Torsk approaching Fort Carroll as I start to head over the Key bridge for home.
Constellation from the Stad Amsterdam a month later.	.	Stad Amsterdam and Constellation, Baltimore's Inner Harbor. April 2011
Bow wave.	.	Turning the ship at the dock.

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