With the US Navy increasingly stretched trying to meet its commitments in both the Pacific and the Middle East, the Department of the Navy announced today that it will be re-activating its entire mothball fleet for upcoming Middle East deployments, including the USS Constitution.
According to Navy officials, the Constitution, currently celebrating the 200th anniversary of her victory over the British warship HMS Guerriere, will relieve the destroyer USS Porter, which was damaged last month in a collision in the Strait of Hormuz while playing chicken with a lighthouse.
“I cannot think of a better way to honor those who fought in the War of 1812, as well as celebrate Constitution’s past successes, than for the ship to once again sail under arms,” said Commander Matt Bonner, the 72nd commanding officer of the Constitution.
via Navy To Deploy USS Constitution To Strait Of Hormuz | The Duffel Blog.
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Maybe the The Niña, the Pinta and the Santa María might be available, as well. Aslo, we better think about sending the submarine, Nautilus, from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Submarine? Is that one of those ships what goes under the ocean?
Uh, yeah. We also have these ships called Aircraft carriers, where planes land on them. Pretty awesome, huh?
Obviously, the author of the article omitted the “no engine noise” stealth aspect of USS Constitution – invaluable for sneaking up on pirate submarines.
Also has an extremely small radar cross-section. The original stealth ship. Prolly could use a main gun upgrade, however.
Hey, she’s got a heavier weight of broadside than an LCS, and longer max effective range as well.
… and she doesn’t have to stop for gas every 48 hours.
How well would Constitution reflect radar? Would they classify her as a stealth ship? But they’d never do it, it would mean issuing more bayonets for the Marines aboard and as we know, we have less of those these days.
Cutlasses, for the boarding action in it.
Boarding pikes actually:
http://ageofsail.wordpress.com/2009/05/28/the-boarding-pike/
That boarding pike drill just might come in handy.
Maybe the Brits will help out with the Warrior.
Or the Victory. Nelson could be heard cheering from his grave.