BOSTON - The 215-year-old USS Constitution has sailed for the first time since 1997, taking a 17-minute cruise across Boston Harbor.

The short trip Sunday was to commemorate the Navy ship's victory over a British warship of a similar size in a fierce battle during the War of 1812. Following the battle, the Constitution was nicknamed "Old Ironsides."

Chief Petty Officer Frank Neely says 285 lucky people were aboard Sunday as the Constitution reached a maximum speed of 3.1 knots.

The trip marks the first time the Constitution has set sail under its own power since turning 200 years old. The Navy ship is periodically tugged into the harbor for historical display.

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