Out of the water for the first time since 1998, the 1854 sloop-of-war CONSTELLATION looked pretty good to its caretakers Thursday as they walked beneath its grimy hull, now propped up in dry dock at the Sparrows Point Shipyard.

"I think we're surprised she's as clean as she is, for being in the water for 13 years," said Chris Rowsom, executive director for Historic Ships in Baltimore. "It shouldn't be too difficult to get her washed up
and painted."

High on blocks just aft of CONSTELLATION is the 1944 submarine TORSK, which faces much more extensive work. Repairs to the two ships — key tourist attractions in Baltimore's Inner Harbor — will cost $500,000.

The work is scheduled to end by February 28, 2011

• RE: CONSTELLATION & TORSK Now In Drydock - Clair Snyder 02/19/2011 20:32:05 EST (1)