Finishing the Freedom Trail

Garrett Tershel

Finishing the Freedom Trail

Last year, we when we visited Boston, we walked the Freedom Trail and we didn't finish.  It is much longer than it looks on the maps. If any time is spent reading the descriptions or talking with people at the different stops one day is not enough. And we missed the U.S.S. Constitution, it made me sad. But not this time.

We planned to spend the day in Boston. We went back and forth on whether to drive in or take the T(Boston Transit). Factoring in the cost and time we decided to drive. This was a good and bad decision.  Half of Boston was under construction, or at least it felt that way. We were unable to find any parking in the place we wanted to walk around. So we drove over to the USS Constitution and skipped our walk around Boston.  That choice however opened up time to drive over to MIT and tour the campus.

USS Constitution USS Constitution

 
Old Ironsides was used during the War of 1812 protecting our independence from England. Old Ironsides was used during the War of 1812 protecting our independence against England.

 
The masts on that ship are being repaired and replaced. They are twice as tall as they are now. Two more piece need to be added. The masts on that ship are being repaired and replaced. They are twice as tall as they are now. Two more pieces need to be added.

 
Touring the USS Constitution Touring the USS Constitution

 
Below deck. Below deck.

 
Every detail had been restored on the ship, it was in pristine condition. Every detail had been restored on the ship, it was in pristine condition.

 
So we have experienced a number of living museums from the 1800's and very few of the living quarters were as nice as the captains area on this boat. We have experienced a number of living museums from the 1800's and very few of the living quarters were as nice as the captains area on this boat.

 

Usually historically restored places have a historian telling stories and bringing the piece to life.  The U.S.S. Constitution is docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard, Building 22. It is has naval officers stationed on the ship during the day.  So we didn't get any historic stories but we did have access to another piece of history, The U.S.S. Cassin Young, used in WWII.

The Cassin Young spent a lot of time outside of Japan fighting battles with the Japanese navy. The Cassin Young spent a lot of time outside of Japan fighting battles with the Japanese Navy.

 
USS Cassin Young tour. USS Cassin Young tour.

 
USS Cassin Young from the docks USS Cassin Young from the docks

 
Fire Fire

 
These guns were used against the Kamikaze pilots. The Kamikaze attacks were the most dangerous attacks this boat fought. These guns were used against the Kamikaze pilots. The Kamikaze attacks were the most dangerous attacks this boat fought.

 
I saw this tag in one of the rooms and loved it. They had many original posters and pieces. I saw this tag in one of the rooms and loved it. They had many original posters and pieces.

 

The Cassin Young had a fantastic history of WWII from a naval point of view, focused on Japan.  They were not shy about the battles or the history. It was great to hear the Navy's version of WWII.

So we were able to complete the Freedom Trail.  It was a great conclusion. We had learned a lot about the War of 1812 when we were at Fort Niagara and Lake George, NY. It was great to tour a ship from that time period. It was a wonderful bonus being able to add the battleship from WWII.