Yard number 1619 Completed 1951 Construction started 1950 | Laid down 1950 Maiden voyage June 25, 1951 Launched 16 September 1950 | |
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Name 1951—1974 Constitution1974—1982 Oceanic Constitution1982—1997 Constitution Owner 1951—1974 American Export Lines1974—1979 Atlantic Far East Lines1982—1997 American Hawaii Cruises |
War of 1812 old ironsides uss constitution
The SS Constitution was an ocean liner owned by American Export Lines. Commissioned in 1951, she started her long career sailing on the New York City-Genoa-Naples-Gibraltar route to Europe. Constitution was a sister ship to the SS Independence.
Contents
- War of 1812 old ironsides uss constitution
- Uss constitution the oldest commissioned warship in the world still sailing
- References

SS Constitution was featured in several episodes of the situation comedy I Love Lucy starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, starting with episode 140, "Bon Voyage," aired December 1, 1955. Lucy Ricardo missed the ship and had to be ferried by air by a then-novel helicopter.

American movie actress Grace Kelly sailed aboard SS Constitution from New York to Monaco for her wedding to Prince Rainier in 1956.

SS Constitution was featured in the 1957 film, An Affair to Remember starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. She was also featured in the beginning and end of an episode of the Naked City TV series titled "No Naked Ladies in Front of Giovanni's House!" aired April 17, 1963. The ship also featured prominently in the Magnum, P.I. television series episode titled "All Thieves on Deck" aired January 30, 1986.

Following service on American Export's "Sunlane" cruise to Europe in the 1950s and 1960s the two ships sailed for American Hawaii Cruises for many years in the 1980s and 1990s; as U.S. ships with U.S. crews meeting the criteria of the Passenger Services Act they were able to cruise the Islands without sailing to a foreign port.

SS Constitution was retired in 1995; while under tow to be scrapped, the liner sank north of the Hawaiian Islands on November 17, 1997; 700 nautical miles (1,300 km).