MINI BELIEVE IT OR NOT –

The USS Constitution, or Old Ironsides, is the only active ship in the U.S. Navy to sink an enemy vessel in action.

  • Old Ironsides has held the title since the USS Simpson was decommissioned in September 2015
  • The ship was built in 1797
  • It’s seen action in many wars and battles
  • But since warfare has shifted away from naval battle, no one is sinking battleships anymore
  • Old Ironsides got its nickname after a fight in which its wooden sides were too hard for British cannonballs to puncture
  • The ship is still used by the Navy and it’s considered an honor to serve on it

MINI BION

“BIONs” – short for Believe It or Not – is the word we use at Ripley’s to refer to anything that is unbelievable and worthy to become part of Ripley’s lore and collection.