Boston National Historical Park - Charlestown Naval Yards and USS Constitution

The Charlestown Naval Yards were our final stop on the Freedom Trail.  Technically the USS Constitution is the only part of the yards on the Freedom Trail.  Since the Constitution is an active ship in the US Navy and does occasionally take a turn around the harbor or go out to sea you must not be able to complete the trail all the time.  Thankfully on the day of our visit the ship was in port.

Though ships such as USS Constitution were strongly built and well designed, they required constant maintenance to remain reliable and seaworthy. Navy Yards were needed to maintain and resupply existing naval warships and to construct eventual replacements as technology rapidly changed. Established in 1800, the Charlestown Navy Yard was one of the original six yards created to support the young United States Navy. For the next 174 years, the yard served as a hub of innovation, an employer of skilled workers, and a home to Naval officers, sailors, and U.S. Marines.

The heart of the original Navy Yard is preserved as a historic site open to visitors year-round. The most popular attractions in the yard are the two historic warships who call the Navy Yard home: The undefeated sailing frigate USS Constitution and the 20th century Fletcher class destroyer USS Cassin Young. Both are examples of what the yard built, repaired, and maintained for two centuries. The two ships also illustrate the transition that the Navy underwent as it shifted from timber and sail to steel and steam. Museum exhibits about the Constitution, Cassin Young, and the Navy Yard, are at the nearby USS Constitution Museum and the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center.
--from Boston NHP website

Our first view of the navy yard was one of construction.

However, we were able to follow the brick path of the Freedom Trail directly to where we needed to go.

We first headed towards the grassy area and stopped for a bit to eat our lunch.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of a cannon.

When we headed into the yard we headed over towards the entrance to the Constitution.

We were heading towards this building, but first we had to go through a security check.

Inside was a museum dedicated to the history of the Charlestown Shipyard, which was one of the very first shipyards dedicated to support the infant US Navy in 1800.

Once we were back outside (but now within the security perimeter) we were able to approach the Constitution closely.  Sadly some work was being done on the ship so I couldn't get any completely clear photos, but it was still wonderful to see the ship so close.

 We walked up the gangplank to board the ship.

The Constitution was built from 1794 to 1797 in another shipyard in Boston.  You can view the entire timeline of the ship's history on the USS Constitution Museum's website.

I especially enjoyed seeing the various decorative woodworking.

We wandered around the main deck for a while.

Then we headed down the narrow steps below decks.

There was an exhibit explaining the cannons and some crew members were on hand to explain how the cannons had been fired.

 There was quite a bit of space below decks.

I assume that this furniture can be used when the ship is sailing, though I don't know how long its voyages are whenever it leaves port.

I wonder how comfortable it was to sleep in these hammocks.

 I imagine these hammocks were for the regular crew members..

Did you know that the ship has been designated a National Historic Landmark?

 We also saw several larger cabins.

 A good deal of work was going on, but thankfully most of the ship was still accessible.

Quite a bit of rope is used aboard the ship.

 We exited the ship on the other side.

 The side of the ship made for a beautiful view as we walked back around.

 I even got a good view of the bow.

Our next stop was another ship preserved at the shipyards, but that is for another post.

~Matt