Nov 7, 2009 6:27 pm US/Eastern
Neighbors Try To Silence USS Constitution Cannons
CHARLESTOWN (WBZ) ―
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One of the USS Constitution cannons as its fired.
WBZ
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The USS Constitution in Charlestown.
WBZ
The Navy will soon be testing out less powerful, and quieter, rounds on board the
USS Constitution in Charlestown.
This follows a letter from a neighbor to the commander of "Old Ironsides," claiming the noise from the twice-daily blasts is excessive.
Every day, at 8 a.m. and again at sunset, the crew on board the USS Constitution fires a cannon as part of its morning and evening salute.
The tradition dates back to 1787, although it stopped in the early 1900's until 1975.
The unidentified neighbor wrote to Commander Timothy Cooper:
"Over the summer, we have entertained several times, and we have had guests sit up in shock when the cannon goes off. It has also awakened them at 8 a.m. while they are vacationing and then blasted them at sunset, a time that catches even us (8-year condo owners) off-guard since it occurs at a different time even evening."
The crew of the USS Constitution says they want to be good neighbors while maintaining the tradition.
They have ordered new rounds, with a quarter of the gun powder, to test to see if it achieves this balance.
"We'll still maintain the ceremony. It will sound a little different, probably not quite as disruptive as a full cannon blast," Lt. Commander Anthony Savage told WBZ.
During the summer, many cruise ships come to see the salute, and people line up on shore as well.
Airman Mark Alexander explained to us why it is important to him.
"You hear the gun go off; you see the flags raised up. It's the beginning of everything you stand for the rest of the day. Knowing you're wearing the uniform and are part of the US Armed Services."
Around the Constitution Saturday, both neighbors and visitors said they wanted the tradition to be preserved.
Jim Robinson, who lives in a marina nearby, says the cannons are part of life.
"I kind of depend on the cannons to tell me what time it is. It's kind of how it's always been here, and how it should be."
He adds, "This is part of the tradition of Boston, one of the great things, it's part of the history. Why would you change it? And if you live here, you chose to live here, and that's part of the territory. "
The Navy is waiting for the new rounds to arrive and will begin testing them later this month.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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