Swan Boats (Boston, Massachusetts) facts for kids
.jpg)
The Swan Boats are unique boats that float on a pond in the Public Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. These fun boats have been around since 1877. They are a famous symbol of the city. You can ride them from the second weekend of April until Labor Day weekend in September.
The Story of Swan Boats
The Swan Boats were first 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 saves a princess by riding a swan across a lake.
Paget was inspired by this magical scene. He also noticed how popular bicycles were becoming. So, he decided to combine these ideas. He designed a boat with two floats, like a pontoon boat. It had wooden benches for passengers.
The boat also had a special brass seat on top of a paddlebox. This paddlebox was hidden inside a large swan shape. The driver would sit inside the swan and pedal the boat, just like a bicycle. This would carry passengers around the pond.
The Swan Boats have operated almost every year since then. In 2020, they were closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts. However, they returned to run each year since then, starting in May 2021.
How Swan Boats Look Today
The design of the Swan Boats has not changed much over the years. The boats have been replaced from time to time. Today, there are six boats in the fleet.
Each boat still has its original design. They have two floats and wooden benches for passengers. A fiberglass swan hides the paddlebox and driver's seat.
More rows of benches have been added over time. Five of the boats have six rows. Each of these rows can hold about three to four adults. The oldest boat has five rows, seating two to three adults each.
The boats themselves range in age. Some are about 30 years old, while others are over 100 years old. The oldest boat still in use was built in 1910. The newest one was built in 1992.
Taking a Ride on a Swan Boat
The Swan Boats 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 riding a bicycle. The boats are steered by pulling one of two ropes. These ropes are connected to a system of pulleys and a rudder.
The Swan Boats are a beloved tradition in Boston. They are a well-known symbol of the city. They have even appeared in famous children's stories. These include Make Way For Ducklings and The Trumpet of the Swan. Tourist guides and books about Boston often mention them.
In 1954, the boat service had to stop for a summer. City officials drained the lake because 30 ducks became sick and died. This was the first time service was interrupted.
