Crowds flocked to Castle Island to check out Old Ironsides and her annual Fourth of July turnaround in Boston Harbor, along with a 21-gun salute.

The USS Constitution goes underway in Boston Harbor at various times each year, including on July 4 as she celebrated the United States’ 249th birthday on Friday.

Members of the 101st artillery of the Mass National Guard were there, and people in the crowd covered their ears during the salute.

The USS Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat. She played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855.

The ship earned the nickname of Old Ironsides during the War of 1812 when British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull.

The crowd covers their ears and photographs the 21-gun salute at Castle Island. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
The USS Constitution fires off a salute as she is turned around. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
State Trooper Sgt. Wes Wanagel hands out flags to children. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Mary Kate Nicoletta is decked out with a blue ribbon as she and her mom take in July 4. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)