Battleship Cove facts for kids
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Aerial view of Battleship Cove
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| Established | 14 August 1965 |
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| Location | Fall River, Massachusetts |
| Type | Maritime museum |
| Public transit access | Southeastern Regional Transit Authority |
Battleship Cove is a super cool place in Fall River, Massachusetts, USA. It's a special museum and a memorial that honors brave soldiers. Imagine seeing the world's biggest collection of World War II naval ships! The most famous ship here is the amazing battleship USS Massachusetts.
This awesome spot is right on the water where the Taunton River meets Mount Hope Bay. You can even see it partly under the Braga Bridge. The whole idea for Battleship Cove started because the crew of the Massachusetts wanted to save their ship from being taken apart. They wanted it to be a museum for everyone to visit.
The battleship itself helps create a calm harbor for small boats in the summer. There's also a historic carousel from 1920, called the Lincoln Park Carousel. It was fixed up by local students and now plays fun music from a special fairground organ.
Contents
Discovering Battleship Cove's History
Battleship Cove officially started in 1964. It was created by a group of veterans who served on the Massachusetts during World War II. They worked hard to get the U.S. Navy to donate the ship so it could become a public museum.
When it first opened, over 250,000 people came to explore the battleship! Soon after, the Massachusetts became the official memorial for people from Massachusetts who died in World War II. Parts of the ship were changed to hold exhibits and tell their stories.
How Battleship Cove Grew Bigger
In 1972, another cool ship joined the battleship: USS Lionfish. This was a submarine from World War II. That same year, a special program called "Nautical Nights" began. Kids could camp overnight on the ships! Over 500,000 young people have enjoyed this program since it started.
The next year, USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., a destroyer, arrived. It became the official memorial for veterans of the Korean War and Vietnam War. Later, the Massachusetts was also named the official memorial for veterans of the Gulf War.
After the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. arrived, the mayor of Fall River gave the whole area its name: "Battleship Cove." In 1975, a national group for destroyer veterans, called Tin Can Sailors, started right here at Battleship Cove.
In 1984, a North American T-28 Trojan airplane was added. This plane was used for training in the U.S. and also by the Republic of Vietnam Air Force. This addition honored Vietnamese immigrants who served in the armed forces.
Many of the ships at Battleship Cove are very important. In 1985, the National Park Service named the Massachusetts, Lionfish, and PT-796 as National Historic Landmarks. This means they are recognized as historically significant places. Later, the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. and PT-617 also received this special status. Battleship Cove has the most National Historic Landmarks south of Boston! With eight vessels, it has the largest and most varied collection of historic naval ships in the world.
During the 1990s, the museum kept getting better. Over sixty new exhibits were added, telling more stories about the ships and veterans. The popular overnight program and many school visits helped the museum grow and keep the ships in great shape.
A Cold War ship, the Soviet-built missile corvette Hiddensee, joined the Cove on June 14, 1997. This ship was from the East German Navy. It was a unique addition, showing a different side of naval history. However, after many years, the Hiddensee was sold for scrap in October 2023 because the museum could no longer maintain it.
Since 1964, Battleship Cove has welcomed over 5 million young people, veterans, and tourists. It continues to be a great place for learning history through programs like the Community Boating Program and the Veterans’ Voices Oral History Program.
Exploring the Amazing Ships
Come aboard and explore the incredible ships at Battleship Cove!
USS Massachusetts - "Big Mamie"
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The biggest ship at Battleship Cove is the battleship USS Massachusetts. It's the main attraction! Her crew during World War II called her "Big Mamie." She was built in 1939 and launched in 1941.
The Massachusetts was a true "Work Horse of the Fleet" during World War II. She earned eleven battle stars for her service. Amazingly, no U.S. Navy sailors were killed in action while serving on her. "Big Mamie" is famous for firing both the first and last 16-inch shells of the U.S. Navy in World War II! She is one of only eight U.S. battleships from the first half of the 20th century that are still around as museum ships.
USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. - A Hero's Name
The USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (DD-850) is a destroyer. It was named after Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., a brave naval pilot and the older brother of future President John F. Kennedy. This ship is now a museum in Fall River.
This destroyer had an exciting history! It helped block Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was part of the teams that recovered astronauts from space missions Gemini 6 and Gemini 7. The Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. stopped serving in the Navy in 1973 and came to Battleship Cove the next year.
In 2000, the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. even starred in a movie called Thirteen Days! It played itself and another ship in the film.
USS Lionfish - The Silent Hunter
The USS Lionfish (SS-298) is a Balao-class submarine. It's named after the lionfish, a colorful fish found in warm oceans. After training, it went on its first war patrol in Japanese waters in April 1945. It dodged torpedoes and even sank a Japanese boat!
The Lionfish also helped rescue downed pilots off the coast of Japan. After the war ended in August 1945, it returned home. It was used again in the 1950s for training and even participated in NATO exercises.
In 1973, the Lionfish came to Battleship Cove. It's now one of the most popular exhibits and a special memorial to all submariners.
PT Boats - Fast and Fearless
Battleship Cove has two special PT boats: PT-796 and PT-617. They are the only pair of restored PT boats on display anywhere in the world! PT-617 is especially cool because it's similar to John F. Kennedy's PT-109. These small, fast boats were very important during World War II.
USS Fall River - A Piece of History
The USS Fall River (CA-131) was a heavy cruiser launched in 1944. It took part in the Operation Crossroads nuclear weapons tests in the Marshall Islands in 1946.
Today, you can see the very front part, or "bow," of the USS Fall River on display at Battleship Cove. It's a unique piece of this ship's history.
Images for kids
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Battleship Cove Logo
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Aerial view of Battleship Cove
See also
- Battleship Cove (MBTA station)
- List of battleships of the United States Navy
- List of maritime museums in the United States
- List of museum ships
- U.S. Navy museums (and other battleship museums)
