Irene Forces Lockdown At USS Constitution
BOSTON (AP) - The USS Constitution will not give tours to the public at the height of Hurricane Irene in order to keep its visitors safe from dangerous winds and heavy rains from the storm.
The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship and attracts 500,000 visits a year. Irene is expected to hit Massachusetts the hardest on Sunday, dumping as much as 10 inches of rain and unleashing hurricane-force winds.
Spokesman Frank Neely says USS Constitution will not offer free guided tours on Sunday.
Only essential personnel will be on duty aboard the ship during the storm. The ship has about 70 active duty sailors and officers.
The ship is already on lockdown to prevent damage.
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