Battleship Cove
One of the highlights of our visit to Fall River was Battleship Cove, home to the largest collection of historic naval vessels in the world. Located along the waterfront of Mount Hope Bay, this remarkable museum preserves ships that served during World War II and the Cold War, allowing visitors to step aboard and experience firsthand the environments in which thousands of sailors lived and worked.
Established in 1965, Battleship Cove is best known as the home of the USS Massachusetts, a South Dakota-class battleship commissioned in 1942. Nicknamed “Big Mamie,” the ship earned eleven battle stars during World War II and participated in major campaigns in the Atlantic and Pacific. Joining her are other historic vessels, including the destroyer USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., the submarine USS Lionfish, and several smaller craft, making the site one of the premier maritime museums in the United States.
Standing beneath the sign welcoming visitors to Battleship Cove, I was reminded that Fall River’s story extends beyond its textile mills and famous mysteries. Here, overlooking the bay, the city preserves the legacy of the men and women who served their country at sea. More than a collection of ships, Battleship Cove serves as a living memorial to the sacrifices and achievements of generations of American sailors and military personnel.
Read More From Nancy
USS Massachusetts
Standing on the deck of the USS Massachusetts, affectionately known as “Big Mamie,” I was struck by the sheer size and power of one of the most decorated battleships of the Second World War. Commissioned in 1942, the South Dakota-class battleship measured 680 feet in length and carried a crew of more than 2,300 officers and […]
Carousel No. 54
One of the treasures we discovered in Fall River was the beautifully restored Looff Carousel at Heritage State Park. As much as I enjoyed the hand-carved horses and colorful artwork, I was fascinated to learn the story of Carousel No. 54, built in 1920 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. Originally installed at Lincoln Park in nearby North […]
Pro Baseball Bat Factory
Walking through Fall River’s historic industrial district, I came upon the Pro Baseball Bat Factory, housed in one of the city’s many nineteenth-century brick mill buildings. The faded painted advertisement for “Salt Grocery” still visible on the façade serves as a reminder of the layers of history that remain embedded in Fall River’s streetscape. While the […]
