Shipbuilding and Repairs

A red hot shank of an anchor is being hoisted by men behind the anchor in the Navy Yard's Forge — Forging an anchor in Building 105, November 1965.
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For 174 years, the Charlestown Navy Yard has been a crucial site of shipbuilding for the US Navy and has shaped Boston's Naval History. Based on the needs of the Navy, workers at the Navy Yard either constructed new ships or repaired and modernized old ones.

Here, USS Constitution sailed into Dry Dock 1 in 1833 to undergo repairs, the first ship to use the newly created dry dock. During the US Civil War, workers at the Yard launched 15 ships and outfitted or converted 63 vessels for the US Navy. To meet demands of World War II in the 1940s, the Yard's production skyrocketed as thousands of workers built 166 ships. And during the last decades of the Navy Yard's operation, workers updated ships for the Cold War, including USS Cassin Young.

Explore the history of shipbuilding by learning about the various ships constructed or repaired at the Charlestown Navy Yard.

USS CONSTITUTION

Visit "Old Ironsides"—the oldest and most storied commissioned warship in the U.S. Navy.

USS CASSIN YOUNG

From 1943-1960, CASSIN YOUNG served the United States during both war and peace. She survived two Kamikaze attacks and sailed the globe.

Black and white image of the launching of the Destroyer Escort USS Mason

Destroyer Escorts

Learn about the construction of Destroyer Escorts at the Charlestown Navy Yard during World War II.

Ships Built at the Yard

America's first ship-of-the-line
USS INDEPENDENCE

Though successful, smaller frigates like CONSTITUTION could not fight large ships. INDEPENDENCE was Charlestown's first 74 gun battleship.
Farragut's Fighting Flagship
USS HARTFORD

This steam powered sloop fought in some of the largest naval engagements of the Civil War and remained afloat for nearly 100 years.
USS NARRAGANSETT

USS NARRAGANSETT served during the Civil War defending the Pacific against Confederate raiders and later became a ship of exploration.
The Last Ship of the Navy Yard
USS SUFFOLK COUNTY (LST-1173)

The final ship built by the Navy Yard, USS SUFFOLK COUNTY supported the fleet during uncertainties much different than World War II.
USS CUMBERLAND (IX-8)

Learn about one of the last ships built at the Navy Yard solely powered by sail.
USS BRAZOS (AO-4)

USS BRAZOS (AO-4) served as one of the three fuel ships constructed at the Navy Yard.
HMS GORE (K481)

Learn about the HMS Gore, which transferred to the U.S. Navy in the lend-lease program.
USS O'BRIEN (DD-415)

Constructed at the Navy Yard, USS O'BRIEN served in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
U.S. NAVY YSD-23

YSD-23 served as one of the utilitarian service vessels constructed at the Yard.