USS 'Cassin Young', Boston

Not far from the USS 'Constitution' lies the formidable hull of a vessel from a vastly different era – the World War II destroyer USS 'Cassin Young', donning a distinctive powder-grey color. While numerous similar destroyers were constructed in Charlestown, the 'Cassin Young' was actually built in San Pedro, California, and primarily served in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters of operation. It survived active duty in Asian waters during World War II, enduring seven Pacific battles and two kamikaze strikes, before ultimately being transferred to the National Park Service in Boston for its role as a museum ship in 1978.

Visitors can explore the expansive main deck, complete with depth chargers and a compact infirmary. For those who dare, a visit to the bow of the ship may invoke images of the Titanic, albeit with the sobering presence of a menacing anti-aircraft gun. The confined quarters below deck, including the captain's chambers and the ship's barber shop, can be toured through a thirty-minute guided excursion offered by the National Park Service (contact to confirm tour times and arrive 10 minutes early to secure a free ticket).

The ship takes its name from Captain Cassin Young, posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Tragically, he lost his life during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in the autumn of 1942.

Tip:
Located at the Navy Yard's northern edge, the historic Ropewalk Building, a narrow granite structure stretching a quarter-mile in length, served as the primary site for crafting nearly all the ropes used by the US Navy from 1837 until the mid-1950s. Regrettably, it's not accessible to the public, but its historical significance remains unparalleled as the sole surviving structure of its kind in the country.