Foss tugboat guiding USS Constellation on its final voyage

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The following is the text of a news release from Foss Maritime:

(SEATTLE) — Foss Maritime announced that the Corbin Foss will tow the Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier USS Constellation on a 16,000-mile journey through the Strait of Magellan to Brownsville, Texas, where she will be scrapped. 

The historic voyage will begin today around 1 p.m. at the Bremerton Naval Shipyard in Washington.

The USS Constellation was constructed at the New York Navy Yard beginning in 1957 and in her many years of service, she has been involved in numerous deployments and exercises; housed hundreds of crewmembers; and was proclaimed "America's flagship" by then-President Ronald Reagan.

The aircraft carrier was decommissioned in San Diego on Aug. 7, 2003 after 41 years of commissioned service, and now the USS Constellation will begin her final voyage nearly 11 years later to the day.

Foss has created a blog at www.foss.com to track the final voyage of the USS Constellation and will post photos and updates over the approximately 140-day journey. Those who have served on "Connie" — as she is nicknamed by her crew — are encouraged to contribute their own stories or photos to the blog.

"We recognize the significance of this vessel to U.S. naval history, and to the men and women who served on her during her many operations," said Gary Faber, senior vice president. "We are honored to be part of this historic voyage."

By Professional Mariner Staff