Local News
The USS Constitution has stopped its daily 8 a.m. and sunset cannon fire while in port due to “maintenance concerns.”
The USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat, announced Friday it has stopped its daily 8 a.m. and sunset cannon fire while in port due to “maintenance concerns.”
Staff for the USS Constitution, nicknamed Old Ironsides and docked in Charlestown, said on social media they are unable to move the saluting battery to support firing the gun safely.
Staff are working to resolve the issue and hope to resume gun operations soon.
The daily firings are a tradition dating back to 1798, marking the morning and evening colors ceremonies where the American flag is raised and lowered.
Some Charlestown residents pushed back on the custom in 2009, complaining about the noise. But the Boston City Council and USS Constitution officials were adamant that the tradition continue.
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