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Constellation underwent conversion to a Practice Ship in 1869. On May 25, 1871 she was again in commission at Annapolis, and took midshipmen on their summer training cruises for the next twenty-two years. In 1871-1872, she received further modification so she could also be used for gunnery instruction with a main battery of eight 9-inch Dahlgren guns, plus one 100-pound Parrott Rifle and one 11-inch Dahlgren. During her assignment at Annapolis, Constellation was tasked to perform several special missions between training cruises. From March to July 1878, she transported exhibits to France for the Paris Exposition, and delivered stores to the Mediterranean Squadron. |
Dockside Cruise, U.S. Naval Academy 1879 |
 Midshipmen onboard Constellation, 1886 |
 Midshipmen furling sail, 1893 |
1880 - IRISH FAMINE RELIEF - 1880
From March to June 1880, she carried relief supplies to victims of famine in Ireland. To modify Constellation for this mission, her armament and some ballast were removed, and carpenters at the New York Navy Yard built bins on the orlop deck in which to stow a cargo of over 2,500 barrels of potatoes and flour. After arrival off Queenstown on April 20, and offloading the cargo onto lighters, she took on ballast for the return trip. After returning, she was re-fitted for her training mission, and departed on her annual cruise.
1892 - COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION - 1893
From September 1892 to her next summer training cruise, Constellation transported works of art from Europe to the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. She departed on her final training cruise to Gibraltar on June 3, 1893, returning under sail for the last time on August 29. On September 2, 1893, she was placed out of commission at Annapolis.
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