Wicked Good Guides / Boston Cityviews /

Boston Harbor

The other day, we took a Boston Harbor cruise. It was fun just being out on the water, but was also a good introduction to the changing harbor - which, like Boston itself, is now a mixture of new and old:

The boiler in "The African Queen" was made at the Hodge Boiler Works on the East Boston waterfront. Big surprise: The site is supposed to be converted into condos (the condo/marina project got the city go-ahead in December, 2004). The Moakley Federal Courthouse in South Boston reflects some of the new construction along the harbor. The curve of the windows is supposed to represent "the wave of justice meeting the harbor" or somesuch:

Buoys and gulls:

The Back Bay, as seen from the harbor:

Egging you on: The "digesters" at the Deer Island sewage treatment plant:

Sailboats

Sailboats mingle with powercraft in the harbor:

The working harbor

The harbor has increasingly become a place for recreation and office work. But there's still plenty of traditional harbor activity, from the loading and unloading of container ships to the morning departure of the fishing fleet. Still, one wonders where the fishing boats and other working craft will go once all the piers and wharves are turned into condos and office buildings:

Fishing boats at the Boston Fish Pier:

A Chinese container ship at dock:

The crane thingey that unloads the container ships:

Geology lessons

The harbor islands were mostly formed by sediment and rock left when glaciers retreated from New England. You can also see the Great Blue Hill, an ancient (and fortunately extinct) volcano:

More

Boston Harbor Association - Harbor advocacy group; site has information on everything from Harborwalk to preservation of the harbor as a working port.

Boston Harbor beaches

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Save the Harbor / Save the Bay - Another advocacy group, focusing on environmental issues.

Island histories - Short histories of the larger islands.

Comments

I want to buy Boston lobster.
Where do I access?

Kinya Fujii, Mr. on February 18, 2004 05:41 PM.

Planning a trip to NE states, this is very interesting. Thanks

Donna on February 19, 2004 04:00 PM.

I love this! I have been looking into a road trip and this Boston vocab lesson has been so wickedly fun! Where do I insert pissa? Can't wait to come east! The tri-state area of Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana are getting me down!

Linda on March 5, 2004 10:00 PM.

Can you give me more info. about the Boston Harbor. I'm planning to do a project about it.

thanks.

Karleen Wong on June 9, 2004 07:42 AM.

Are there any sailboats in Boston Harbor that people can lodge in overnite? Thanks for the help

linda clark on July 26, 2004 10:32 PM.

I like lobser too. Boston Lobster good. Eat lots. Access lots. Yum.

Joe Fatsomini on July 28, 2004 10:31 PM.

You know Ikon fromHolland? Euqals Boston!

Seethis 213 on August 17, 2004 07:47 AM.

For information about Boston Harbor Islands national park area, please visit www.BostonIslands.com --- the official Web site of the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership.

The correct link to the island histories mentioned above is www.BostonIslands.com/isle_profiles.html

Bruce Jacobson on October 25, 2004 07:43 AM.

Visiting Boston in May, what that may not be listed as tourist sites, would be very interesting to see and do?

Judy on March 2, 2005 12:09 AM.

how many gallons of water are there in the bodton harbor? thanks! =o)

nori on October 22, 2005 11:26 AM.

I work in the harbor during the summer teaching sailing lessons @ Courageous Sailing Center and I want to say keep up the great work.

Annie Butts on November 4, 2005 01:16 PM.

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