The USS Constitution was launched in 1797 and is still a commissioned naval warship. She was nicknamed “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812 due to her sturdy oak hull which was seemingly impenetrable against enemy cannonball fire. Today, the ship is still on duty, used as a training vessel with a ship's complement of about 75 enslisted sailors. She also serves as an educational tourist attraction. In this episode, maritime archaeologist Ryan Miranda talks with host Kathy A. Smith about his early interest in the underwater world, his thesis, Oak, Steel, and Men: The History of USS Constitution through Artifact Biographies, and how technological advances like augmented reality are changing the way the public can interact with shipwrecks. About Ryan Miranda Ryan Miranda is a maritime archeologist and historian with a master's in Maritime studies from East Carolina University. From the Chesapeake Bay to the shores of Costa Rica and the Gulf Coast of Texas, his career has allowed for diverse experiences in underwater research and cultural resource management. His interest in emerging technologies focuses on technologies to improve the public's knowledge about maritime archeology and the stories it reveals about the past. @ 2025 Fascinated by Shipwrecks