The following history was published in the Boston Globe:

• 1794 - 1797 Under construction at Hartt's Shipyard, Boston.
• 1798, October 21 -- Launched after 2 failed attempts when the ship refused to slide down the ramp.
• 1803 - 1806 Flagship, Mediterranean squadron, Tripolitan War.
• 1812, June 18 -- War declared against Great Britain. August 19: Captures frigate Guerriere. December 29: Captures frigate Java and five smaller vessels.
• 1814, February - April -- Captures Picton and three smaller vessels. April 13: Escapes into Marblehead from two larger frigates. Blockaded Boston for eight months.
• 1815, February 20 -- Captures Cyane and Levant, its last fight of the war.
• 1815 - 1821 Laid up at US Navy Yard, Boston. Repaired.
• 1821 - 1828 Flagship, Mediterranean squadron.
• 1828 - 1830 Laid up in Boston. Condemned by naval commissioners. Saved by the poem of Oliver Wendell Holmes.
• 1855 - 1860 Laid up at the US Navy Yard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, until reconditioned as a school ship.
• 1860 - 1871 School ship for midshipmen at Annapolis, Maryland, and Newport, Rhode Island, during the Civil War.
• 1878 - 1879 Last cruise in foreign waters. Carried US exhibits to Le Havre, France, for the Paris Exhibition.
• 1879 - 1881 Training ship. The ship's last sail was from Newport, Rhode Island, to New London, Connecticut.
• 1882 - 1897 Laid up at the US Navy Yard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, serving part of the time as a receiving ship.
• 1897, October 21 -- Arrived at Navy Yard, Boston, for the celebration of her 100th birthday.
• 1897 - 1900 Permanently on exhibition at the US Navy Yard, Boston.
• 1900, February 14 -- Repairs authorized by Congress. Money to be donated by the public.
• 1905 Navy recommends using the decaying hull as a target. Popular sentiment aroused to prevent this.
• 1906 Congress votes $100,000 for repairs and restoration.
• 1909 - 1925 On exhibition at the US Navy Yard, Boston.
• 1925 - 1927 Campaign for funds, which included the "Pennies Campaign" of school children.
• 1931 - 1934 Coast-to-coast, tug-assisted cruise to thank the country for its restoration.
• 1973 - 1976 Ship refurbished in time to lead the Tall Ships parade.
• 1992, September 25 -- $12 million restoration begins.
• 1995, September 26 -- Ship undocked and work begins on sails.
• 1997, July 21 -- Sails for the first time in 116 years, off Marblehead Harbor.

Sunday, July 20 - Marblehead Harbor, Massachusetts

I had the opportunity to sail with the Yankee Fleet out of Gloucester Bay. We went out Sunday night to visit the Constitution while it was anchored in Marblehead Harbor. The shoreline was crowded with people and the harbor was filled with small boats and charter boats all trying to get a close view of Old Ironsides. The Coast Guard and Harbor Patrol were busy keeping boats back while also maintaining a lane open for the ships sailing around the Constitution.

We got many great views as we circled Ironsides several times. This was a perfect night to be out on the water and enjoying the spectacle.

Monday, July 21 - Marblehead Harbor, Massachusetts

We left Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. to make our way down the coast to Marblehead. As we were leaving Gloucester Harbor, it was like reading one of those old seafaring novels -- there was a race of boats trying to get out of the harbor. Many were headed to view the sailing, but others were on their way out for the day's fishing.

We pulled into Marblehead Harbor and there were even more boats and small craft than the night before. There was every manner of floating vessel imaginable -- sailboarders, surfers, kayaks, rowboats, motorboats, sailing yachts, and cruise boats -- in addition to all the tugboats, security craft, and jet skis working to keep people back.

All manner of activities were happening on board the ship. Every now and then we could catch the band playing or the singer performing the Star-Spangled Banner. The ship's masts were manned with sailors on each platform, and people on the main deck were in period costume. Several volleys of cannon and rifle fire rang out at different times, and a howitzer positioned at Fort Sewall on the point was also fired.

Various dignitaries were brought on board -- most of the locals recognized Senator Kerry stepping aboard. Walter Cronkite was also there and was to be allowed to take the helm while she was under sail.

The time came for the tugboats to get into position as they came alongside and tied onto Old Ironsides. At the same time, more sailors climbed into the rigging and lined each of the yard arms, every one in their white uniforms.

As she was pulled forward, a cheer went up among the viewers and all the ships' whistles were blown. Now came the real challenge: maneuvering our way out of the harbor and keeping pace. A fireboat led the way -- clearing a path! -- ahead of the Constitution by spraying a wide veil of water streams. Some of the streams were colored red and blue, creating a red, white, and blue water display preceding this magnificent procession of boats.

It was estimated that there were 3,000 boats on the water. Two modern Navy ships -- a missile frigate and a destroyer -- met us midway out and acted as escort for the parade. Most of the boats following were modern craft, but there were enough schooners, wooden sailboats, and Chris-Craft that the parade itself was quite a sight in its own right.

The Coast Guard then had to stop this procession as the Constitution was stopped and the sails raised. She has 6 of the 18 possible sails and all 6 were raised, 2 jibs, 3 topsails, and the spinnaker were all carefully lowered and then trimmed to catch the wind. These 6 sails, 35% of the total sail area, required 290 new blocks (pulleys) and over 8 miles of rope to be rigged.

As the Constitution was readied, the tugboats let go their lines and backed off as she pulled forward. She made about 4 knots in a 7 mph wind, and as she sailed out the Blue Angels made several flybys over the crowd.