Navy Really Old Ironsides Aug. 19, 2012 Share Read Later Navy photo / MCS 1st Class Andrew MeyersThe world's oldest commissioned U.S. warship, the USS Constitution, sails under her own power for the second time in 131 years Sunday off Boston. The brief sail -- 17 minutes at a top speed of 3.1 knots, powered by four of her 36 sails for just over 1,000 yards -- commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Constitution's victory over the British frigate Guerriere during the War of 1812.