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Boston National Historical ParkKids signing a Declaration of Independence
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Boston National Historical Park
Development of ship building at the Charlestown Navy Yard
USS Independence
USS Independence
The first ship built by the Navy Yard, the USS Independence was the nation's first ship-of-the-line to enter service. Regarded as somewhat unsuccessful, largely because of the ill-advised modifications made by Capt. William Bainbridge during construction, the ship was taken into Dry Dock 1 and "razed" (cut down) to a large frigate in 1835-36. A much more successful ship thereafter, it was long a fixture at the Mare Island Navy Yard, serving as receving ship there from 1857 to 1912. Plans to converth the venerable ship into a floating restaurant at the Panama-Pacific Exposition fell through, and Independence was finally burned for scrap off Hunter's Point in San Francisco.
 
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Daniel Webster speaking in the Senate chamber.  

Did You Know?
Daniel Webster was once rebuffed in his effort to speak at Faneuil Hall. His support of The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 earned for him the enmity of New England's abolitionists, and a worry that if he were allowed to speak, his appearance might spark a riot. He later spoke without incident.

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Last Updated: July 25, 2006 at 00:31 EST