Bicentennial of the War of 1812 Boston
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Presented by
USS Constitution Museum, USS Constitution, Boston National Historical Park, Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston, US Navy, OpSail
The US Navy in partnership with OpSail and the US Coast Guard has planned several commemorative War of 1812 events in Boston, the home port of victorious 1812 US Navy warship, USS Constitution. It was during this war that our young nation fought to preserve its independence and when USS Constitution earned her famous nickname, “Old Ironsides.” To recognize two hundred years of peace between the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, international naval vessels and tall ships have been invited to Boston during Harborfest (June 28 – July 4, 2012). In anticipation of this summer’s War of 1812 commemorations the Charlestown Navy Yard partners have several upcoming programs and activities for the public. Join us to explore all that the Navy Yard has to offer this summer!
JUNE 28 – JULY 5
Boston Harborfest
Join the Charlestown Navy Yard, the US Navy and the US Coast Guard in commemorating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 with Boston’s 31st annual Harborfest. Visiting international ships are berthed in the harbor, and public programs provide a weeklong celebration. Highlights at the Charlestown Navy Yard include:
JUNE 29- Sunset Parade to include US Navy Marching Band, Middlesex 4H Fife and Drum Corps, Boston Police Gaelic Column, and the Silver Dolphins. (6:45 pm)
JUNE 30- USCGC Eagle arrival ceremony at 10 am, weather permitting. USCG Eagle open for public tours (1– 6 pm). USCG Search and Rescue Demonstration at 1:30 pm in the waters between the Navy Yard and Puopolo Park. USS Cassin Young: “Navy Day: Bring the Ship Alive,” featuring drills, signal flag demonstrations, antique military vehicles, and more!
JULY 1 – USCGC Eagle open for public tours (10 am – 5 pm). USCG Search and Rescue Demonstration at 1:30 pm in the waters between the Navy Yard and Puopolo Park. A USCG helicopter and small boat perform a mock rescue.
JULY 2 - USCGC Eagle open for public tours (10 am – 7 pm). USCG Silent Drill Team performance (3:30pm). USCG Band Concert (Pier 1, 4pm)
JULY 3 – USCG Eagle open for public tours (10 am – 5pm). USCG Historic Ship’s Company dressed in 1812 period uniform perform gun and weapon drills and speak about life aboard an 1812 Revenue Cutter (all day).
JULY 4 - USS Constitution and USCGC Eagle get underway for annual turnaround cruise to Castle Island; Blue Angels and other military aircraft flyover, USS Constitution Museum-Narrated Harbor Cruise (morning). USS Constitution returns for public tours from late afternoon until 6 pm. USCG Historic Ship’s Company dressed in 1812 period uniform perform gun and weapon drills and speak about life aboard an 1812 Revenue Cutter (2-6 pm).
ALL WEEK LONG:
USS Constitution Museum’s NEW Old Ironsides 1812 Discovery Center (9am- 6pm)
Family fun Seabag discovery kits for families to check out at the Navy Yard Visitor Center and at the USS Constitution Museum
USS Constitution War of 1812 – era gun-drills (12pm, 2pm, 4pm)
Public tours from of USS Constitution (10 am – 6 pm excluding during the underway on July 4th)
Public tours of USS Cassin Young (9am – 6pm)
Meet and mingle with the Commandant’s wife and 1812 sailors (interpreters) at the Commandant's House (10am - 4 pm)
Video presentations about the history of the Charlestown Navy Yard (Visitor Center - Building 5)
United States Coast Guard Presentation, "Cementing the Core Missions: Revenue Cutter Operations in the War of 1812" offered at 11 am and 3 pm in the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center Theater (Building 5)
"History on Wheels," NPS rangers manning pushcarts throughout the Yard help visitors learn how to repair a ship, discover children’s games and toys, and explore the age of sail and steam.
"Stories with Rangers," Park Service Rangers read share stories and provide hands-on activities for families to explore the many activities of a working Navy Yard.
Visitors will find fun character cut outs throughout the yard, each with introductions and QR codes to learn more. Many new outdoor exhibition panels will illuminate "Life and Work in the Navy Yard in 1812."
A series of colorful, interpretive banners will guide visitors across the Charles River bridge and into the Charlestown Navy Yard to usher in the commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.
OpSail ships and berthing locations:
See map and schedule below. See the comments below this event listing for links to pictures and additional maps and handouts.
Charlestown Navy Yard Pier 1
- USS Constitution (USA)--Tall ship--Named after the Constitution of the United States by George Washington, she is the oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat.
- USCGC Barque Eagle (USA)--290-foot long globetrotting ambassador and sail training ship of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Eagle always leads the Parade of Sail.
- HMCS Kingston (Canada)
- HMCS Summerside (Canada)
- HMCS Goose Bay (Canada)
- HMCS Moncton (Canada)
Charlestown Navy Yard Pier 4
- HNMOS Thor Heyerdaul (Norway)
- HDMS Esbern Snare (Denmark)
Fish Pier (Seaport District)
- Cisne Branco (Brazil)--Tall ship--249-foot long full-rigged tall ship of Brazil, is home-ported in Rio de Janeiro. Built in 1998, she is one of the newest ships participating.
- BaeGuayas (Ecuador)--Tall ship--257-foot long tall ship of Ecuador, trains cadets from the Ecuadorian Naval Superior School at Guayaquil
- Gloria (Colombia)--Tall ship--Standing over 257 feet long, she is the official flagship and sail-training ship of the Colombian Navy and is home-ported in Cartagena.
- Kri Dewaruci (Indonesia)--Tall ship--Only tall ship mast ship of the Barquentine, owned and operated by the Indonesian Navy and built as a sail training vessel
Black Falcon Pier
- Carnival Glory (Panama)
- FGS Hessen (Germany)
- Norwegian Dawn (Norway)
- USS Gravely (USA)
- HMCS Preserver (Canada)
- HMCS Iroquois (Canada)
- Maasdam (Netherlands)
- RFA Argus (UK)
North Jetty
- USS Kearsarge (US)
Saturday, June 30th