As to the oldest in commission, HMS Victory launched 7 May 1765.
USS Constitution launched 21 October 1797, also still in commission.
Not in commission but for comparison, Royal Swedish Navy Vasa built 1627,
lost on maiden voyage 1628, salvaged 1961.
Almost more fascinating and a ten minute walk from the Victory in
Portsmouth is the HMS Warrior, built 1860, the first British warship with an
iron hull (also not in commission), predating the USS Monitor and the CSS
Virginia (ex-USS Merrimac) of 1862.
Subject: Re: [MV] HMS VICTORY and the WASA
How about USS Constitution (Old Ironsides)? She's still an active warship
with the US Navy.
David Yarbrough
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