Charlestown in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
"A state of perfect chaos"
William Bainbridge 1812
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012
1. "A state of perfect chaos" Marker
This 1833 view of Boston from the west end of the Navy Yard shows a harbor full of busy activity. The steeple of the Old North Church is still a prominent landmark. [courtesy Library of Congress]
The Navy Yard in the War of 1812
When Captain William Bainbridge took command of the Navy Yard in April 1812, he found little but a tract of marshy land and nine buildings in disrepair. Only 12 years old, the yard still had no deep water wharf for ships or adequate storage for supplies. A state-owned magazine miles away housed the Navy's gunpowder.
Bainbridge repeatedly tried to improve the Yard's facilities, but the Navy Department did not have the funds. In 1813, workers erected a new brick storehouse and blacksmith shop, and in 1814 an enormous shed or "shiphouse" covered the ship of the line under construction.
Despite these improvements, many years passed before the Yard assumed the character of the industrial complex seen today.
Erected by USS Constitution Museum- Boston National Historical Charlestown Navy Yard- National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1812.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gate One, Charlestown Navy Yard (a few steps from this marker); Charlestown Navy Yard (within shouting distance of this marker); Breakthrough (within shouting distance of this marker); USS Constitution (within shouting distance of this marker); Paul Revere’s Landing (within shouting distance of this marker); Paul Revere (within shouting distance of this marker); Tudor Wharves (within shouting distance of this marker); Explore the Navy Yard (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012
2. "A state of perfect chaos" Marker
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012
3. "A state of perfect chaos" Marker
This view shows the harbor with Boston in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 580 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on February 10, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 7, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
