USS Constitution sails Boston Harbor

21 gun salute, USS Constitution 8/19/12

On Sunday August 19, 2012, exactly 200 years after a key sea victory during the War of 1812, we were able to watch the USS Constitution sail under her own power off Castle Island* in Boston Harbor. It was a stirring sight! Loved the loud booms of the ship's 21 gun salute - the incredible noise helped give a sense of what a full blown battle at sea must have been like 200 years ago.

Excerpt from the 8/20/12 Boston Globe: The USS Constitution set sail for the first time since 1997 to mark the 200th anniversary of its victory over the HMS Guerriere, a Royal Navy frigate, during the battle of the War of 1812 that earned the ship her “Old Ironsides” nickname, officials said in a statement. The ship was tugged just before 10 a.m. with 285 people on board. Once Old Ironsides reached President Roads in the Boston Harbor, crews set three sails and detached the ship from the tugboats, officials said. The ship sailed under her own power for 17 minutes at a maximum speed of 3.1 knots.

*Castle Island is in South Boston, formerly Dorchester's cow pasture, where a key Revolutionary War victory led to the British evacuating Boston.

walking tour retraces historic route to Dorchester Heights

The Dorchester Historical Society is having a free walking tour to re-trace the steps of the patriotic troops who fortified Dorchester Heights in March of 1776. Start at Edward Everett Square at 2 p.m. and walk to the Dorchester Heights monument in Thomas Park in South Boston, following the trail of the troops and the Knox cannons sent to defend the Heights. Brigadier General Thomas’ orders were to prepare for the “defence [sic] of the ground & annoyance of the enemy.” The erection of defense works on the night of March 4, 1776, led to the evacuation of Boston by the British on the 17th and the end of the Siege of Boston.

At the Dorchester Heights monument, Bob Allison, Chair of the History Department at Suffolk University, will speak about the significance of the event at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Dress warmly, and be aware that the South Boston parade will occur the same day, so you will not be able to drive the same route. It is a 1.2 mile walk, with a steep climb up stairs to the Heights.

On Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 2 p.m. sharp. Meet at the Clap’s Favorite Pear sculpture in Edward Everett Square, at the intersection of Columbia Road, Massachusetts Avenue and Boston Street.

Unless it is pouring cats & dogs, this walk will take place.

Dorchester Heights and Evacuation of Boston: Sunday March 21

Earl Taylor, President of the Dorchester Historical Society, will present an illustrated lecture about the fortification of Dorchester Heights and the Evacuation of Boston in 1776.

Sunday, March 21st
2-4 pm
William Clapp House, 195 Boston Street, 02125