Boston Navy Yard facts for kids

The Boston Navy Yard, also known as the Charlestown Navy Yard and later the Boston Naval Shipyard, was one of the oldest places in the United States Navy where ships were built and repaired. It started in 1801, soon after the U.S. Department of the Navy was created in 1798. After 175 years of serving the military, it closed as a naval base on July 1, 1974.

The 30-acre (12 ha) area is now managed by the National Park Service. It is part of the Boston National Historical Park. Some parts of the yard are still used to support the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides"), which was built in 1797. This ship is one of the original six heavy frigates for the American navy and is the oldest warship still active in the United States Navy. The USS Cassin Young (DD-793), a destroyer from World War II (built in 1943), is also docked here as a museum ship. The museum area has a dock that is a stop for the MBTA Boat water taxi system. Many local people and the National Park Service still call it the Charlestown Navy Yard.

The South Boston Naval Annex was a part of the Navy Yard from 1920 to 1974. It was located along the waterfront in South Boston. During World War II, other parts of the Navy Yard included the Chelsea Naval Annex, East Boston Naval Annex, and the Boston Naval Yard Fuel Depot Annex.

A Look Back: History of the Shipyard

The first shipbuilding for the navy in Charlestown, Massachusetts, began during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). This area is across the Charles River and Boston Harbor from the city of Boston. In 1800, the U.S. government bought the land for the Charlestown Navy Yard, and the yard officially opened.

Building and Repairing Ships

The yard built the first U.S. ship of the line, USS Independence, in 1814. It also built at least twelve small ships for the American Civil War. However, it was mostly used for repairing and storing ships until the 1890s. That's when it started building new steel ships for the "New Navy." By then, it was known as the Boston Navy Yard.

On June 24, 1833, an important event happened. The early U.S. frigate Constitution entered the first naval drydock in New England. A drydock is a special basin that can be drained of water, allowing ships to be worked on below their waterline. Many important people, including Vice President Martin Van Buren, watched this event.

Rope Making and Revival

The Charlestown Ropewalk made ropes for the Navy from 1837 until the Yard closed in 1975. After the American Civil War (1861–1865), the Yard's role was reduced. It became mainly a place for equipment and training new sailors.

In the late 1880s and 1890s, the Navy began to grow again. New, modern warships made of steel and powered by steam brought new life to the Yard. In the early 1900s, a second drydock was added.

World War II and Beyond

During World War II (1939/1941–1945), the Yard was very busy. It helped repair British Royal Navy warships and merchant ships. These ships were often damaged by German attacks while crossing the North Atlantic Ocean.

On September 27, 1941, the Boston Navy Yard launched two destroyers, USS Cowie and USS Knight. Even before the U.S. joined World War II after the Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941, Boston was chosen to build ships for the Royal Navy. These ships were called Captain-class frigates and were part of the Lend-Lease program. Some of these ships were later used by the United States Navy as destroyer escorts.

After the war, during the Cold War (1945–1991), the shipyard updated World War II ships. This program was called Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM). The Korean War (1950–1953) and Vietnam War (1964–1975) did not bring much work to the yard. This was because it was so far from the fighting.

Ships Built Here

What's There Now: Current Use

The Yard closed after the Vietnam War. People had ideas for what to do with the land, like turning it into a place to build oil tankers. But these plans did not happen. Instead, the site became part of the Boston National Historical Park. Its main goal is to teach people about the history of naval shipbuilding.

The Boston Navy Yard has many interesting things to see. This includes the Charlestown Naval Shipyard Park. The active USS Constitution and the museum ship USS Cassin Young (DD-793) are docked at Pier 1. You can visit both of them. The Navy Yard is also home to the USS Constitution Museum. Dry Dock No. 1 is still used to repair the Constitution and Cassin Young. In May 2015, the Constitution entered the dry dock for three years of repairs.

The Yard is located near the northern end of the Freedom Trail. The MBTA Boat stops at nearby Pier 4, making it easy for visitors to get to the Yard. The campus of the MGH Institute of Health Professions uses seven buildings in the Yard for classrooms, offices, and clinics.

Images for kids

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  USS Cassin Young docked at the Boston Navy Yard

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  A view of the dry dock without water

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  Cassin Young in drydock

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  Cassin Young in dry dock at night