The National Tour of the USS Constitution: 1931 – 1934

In the midst of the Great Depression, the historic frigate, USS Constitution was repaired and fully restored, financed in part by the contributions of school children and ordinary Americans. To thank the nation for these contributions and to conduct a public relations tour for the US Navy, the ship set out on a tour of American ports up and down both coasts. The tour lasted 34 months, visited 76 ports and hosted more than four million visitors. The author, a Naval Academy graduate and retired officer, tells the story of this unique undertaking. HIs great uncle was s member of Constitution’s crew for the entire tour.