4th -15th July 2013 - Boston Part 2 - USS Constitution & Boston Duck Tours
Nimue
Mon 15 Jul 2013 12:46
|
It’s about an hour’s drive from Braintree to downtown Boston,
so we wanted to make the most of our visits. A ‘must’ whilst in Boston; a
tour of the USS Constitution “ a National Landmark”. Launched in
Boston in 1797, she is the world’s oldest commissioned warship
afloat. Undefeated in combat, she earned the title of “Old Ironsides” in
the battles against the Royal Navy in the war of 1812. As a fully
commissioned US Navy Ship, her crew of 60 officers and sailors participate in
ceremonies, educational programs and special events, while keeping the ship open
to visitors year round and providing free tours.
  Outside the USS
Constitution
  On Deck of the USS
Constitution
  One of the serving seamen, who
provided information about the USS Constitution.
Michael asked a question about the cannons on board and why they all had
the English coat of arms on their barrels? His response was that only one
other person had asked this question and it happened to be our own Queen
Elizabeth. Apparently the mistake was made when the guns were
replicated!
We then followed the Freedom Trail to visit some other historical
sites.
  The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile
long path through downtown Boston. Paul Revere’s statue – supposedly
altered the Colonial militia to the approach of British
forces.
 Meeting up for dinner with Liz
and Chris at Giacomo’s. As you can see a popular place, but the food was
worth waiting for!
Like many other cities in the world, Boston too
has it’s own World War 11 amphibian vehicles. In fact one had recently
made the news in the UK, about one sinking in Liverpool harbour. So with
that in mind we decided to book a tour, which would include a city site seeing
tour and a trip into the Charles River.
  Michael & Kenny on the back seat of
“Molly Molasses! Our ‘ConDUCKtor’ and
former superhero ‘Capt. Super Swift’ has put on a few
pounds!
Some of the sites en route on the
Duck.
 The Old State
House.
 The old North
Church is the oldest active church building in Boston. The bells are the
original ones Paul Revere sounded in 1749.
 The Old South
Church
  Home of the TV series “Boston
Legal”
 The Massachusetts State House – the
state’s capitol building. The dome is covered in gold
leaf.
  Leonard Sachem Memorial
Bridge
On the Charles River
 Boston
Skyline
|