Charlestown in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Working in the Yard
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012
1. Working in the Yard Marker
When the Charlestown Navy Yard opened in 1800, Boston's skilled maritime workers provided a ready source of labor. As sail gave way to steam, and wooden hulls gave way to iron and steel, the work of building, repairing, and maintaining a fleet changed with modern technology.
The size of the work forced also changed, varying with war, peace, and the size of the fleet. During World War II, more than 50,000 full-time employees worked round-the-clock in such specialized jobs as ship fitter, boilermaker, and foundry worker.
Erected by Boston National Historical Park Charlestown Navy Yard-National Park Service US Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.
Location. 42° 22.45′ N, 71° 3.351′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in Charlestown. Marker is on 1st Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19 1st Ave, Charlestown MA 02129, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Yard as Home (here, next to this marker); Flags at Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); "Old Ironsides" in Dry Dock 1 (within shouting distance
this page online
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012
2. Shift changing during World War II. The portal over Gate 1 was demolished after the war.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012
3. Supplying the ships. (above left) Workers produced rope in the quarter-mile-long Ropewalk, built in
(Above, Right) In 1926, navy yard workers invented die-lock anchor chain in the Chain Forge.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012
4. The Muster House.
Until the 1890s, employees gathered three times daily at the octagonal Muster House.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012
5. Women welders in 1943.
During World War II, as more and more men left for combat, women took over positions traditionally held by men, including welders, riveters, and machinists.
We all felt that we were doing our job, and the harder we worked, the faster we would get the ship out, and the faster (the war) would get over.
Gloria Brandenberg
Shipyard Painter, World War Ii
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 13, 2012
6. Anchor behind Working in the Yard and the yard is home
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 389 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on February 10, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 7, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
