Swan Boats (Boston, Massachusetts) facts for kids
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The Swan Boats are special boats that float in a pond in the Boston Public Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. These unique boats have been running since 1877. They have become a famous symbol for the city of Boston. You can ride them from the second weekend of April until the third weekend in September each year.
Contents
History of the Swan Boats
How the Swan Boats Started
The first Swan Boats were created in 1877 by Robert Paget. He got the idea after watching an opera called Lohengrin with his wife, Julia Paget. In the opera, a knight is rescued by riding a swan across a lake.
Paget was inspired by this scene. He also noticed how popular bicycles were becoming. So, he decided to combine the two ideas. He designed a boat with two floating parts, called pontoons. It had two wooden benches for passengers. A special brass seat was placed on top of a paddlebox, which was hidden by a large swan shape. The person driving the boat would sit inside the swan and pedal it like a bicycle. This would move the passengers around the pond.
Years of Operation
The Swan Boats have operated every year since 1877. The only time they stopped was in 2020. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts.
What Do Swan Boats Look Like?
Current Design of the Boats
The design of the Swan Boat has not changed much over the years. The boats are replaced from time to time. Today, there are six boats in the fleet. Each boat still has the original design. They all have two pontoons, a brass seat, and a fiberglass swan covering the paddlebox. They also have wooden benches for passengers.
Over the years, more rows of benches have been added to the boats. Five of the boats have six rows. Each of these rows can hold about three to four adults. The oldest boat has five rows, which can seat two to three adults. The boats vary in age. Some are about twenty years old, while others are over ninety years old. The oldest boat still in use was built in 1918. The newest one was built in 1995.
How the Swan Boats Operate Today
A Ride on the Pond
The Swan Boats still operate in the same pond in the Public Garden. They have been doing this for over 140 years. A ride on a Swan Boat is a calm and peaceful experience. It usually lasts about 12 to 15 minutes.
Each boat is powered by a single driver. These drivers are often high school or college students. They pedal the boat just like a bicycle. To steer the boat, the driver pulls one of two ropes. These ropes are connected to a system of pulleys and a rudder. The rudder helps guide the boat in the water.
Cultural Importance
The Swan Boats are still a beloved tradition in Boston. They are a well-known symbol of the city. They are famous for appearing in children's books. These include Make Way for Ducklings and The Trumpet of the Swan. You can also find them mentioned in many tourist guides and books about Boston.
In 1954, the boat service was stopped for a summer. City officials had to drain the lake. This was because 30 ducks had become sick due to an infection.
