Larry A. Smail's Blog

  Laurie, and I visited Boston Harbor last week.  Boston Harbor  is the waterway bordering the city of Boston, Massachusetts. This area was discovered by John Smith in 1614 during the time when European explorers were searching for lands; freedoms, and/or wealth.  

Many sites around Boston are known by history buffs!  I have heard the area called the, “Cradle of Liberty.” Much activities surrounded Boston Harbor in those years beginning in 1770, prior to the Revolutionary War of Independence from England!

City of Boston taken from the Cruise ship.

In March 1770, the infamous, “Boston Massacre” occurred when Colonial civilians angry with the taxes  Great Britain was demanding of them were shot upon. Some were killed! The seeds of revolt were firmly entrenched now.

Later, in 1773, a group of patriots disgusted with Britain’s Tea Act threw the tea into the Boston Harbor. This has been called the Boston Tea party.

Boardwalk in Boston

The American experiment began in earnest in 1775 at Boston. Students from my era learned of the Old North Church in Boston. (We saw the church.) The lesson learned was , “One if by land, and two if by sea” The watched in the church was to place one light if British soldiers came to Boston  via land, or place two lanterns if the troops came  by sea.

We saw the Battle of Bunker Hill Monument, too. The structure looks like the Washington’s Monument of D.C. This battle occurred in 1775 during the siege of Boston. The battle was considered a British victory although their casualties were high.

Cormorants, and a gull.

Laurie, and I walked about on the boardwalk for a time seeing many gulls, and cormorants. I watched an osprey flying overhead, too.

Many of the photos shown here were taken as we did a cruise of the harbor. I took many photos from the upper deck of the cruise ship. We saw the U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides) docked for maintenance. This ship was one of six that were built. This frigate was launched in 1797, and used in the War of 1812.

The harbor has a number of islands. We saw many, many boats, and ships all about the harbor.