One Of The Last WWII Battleships Is Right Here In Massachusetts And It’s So Worth A Visit

There are many pieces of WWII history you can find throughout the country, but there's nothing like having a major piece of history available to visit in your own backyard. Located in Fall River, Battleship Cove is home to the largest collection of Naval maritime vessels in the country, including a battleship that was used in WWII. Whether or not you're a history buff, a visit to Battleship Cove is a must.

Battleship Cove is located along the Fall River waterfront and is home to several historic military watercraft. Its collection of Naval ships is quite impressive as there are eight vessels, five of which are considered National Historic Landmarks.

Among the vessels is the battleship USS Massachusetts (BB-59), submarine USS Lionfish, USS Joseph P. Jennedy Jr. (DD-850), and USS Fall River (CA-131).

The USS Massachusetts is a South Dakota-class battleship that was built in Quincy, Massachusetts in the 1930s. It first saw action in WWII when it launched the first US Navy 16-inch shells of the war.

It fought both in Europe and in the Pacific and was referred to as "Big Mamie" by crew members.

During its tenure, the ship shot down nearly 40 aircraft and damaged or destroyed five enemy ships. For its wartime service, the USS Massachusetts received 11 battle stars.

In 1962, the USS Massachusetts was decommissioned by the Navy and set to be sold for scrap. But through the efforts of its wartime crew, other veterans, and students around the state, enough money was raised to retire it to Battleship Cove instead!

Today, visitors can tour inside the USS Massachusetts and get a sense of what life aboard a battleship was like. Battleship Cove ships are open daily from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Battleship Cove also offers overnight camping aboard its vessels. Its Nautical Nights program is offered to families as well as scout, youth, and school groups for an unforgettable experience! You can learn more about the experience in our previous coverage.

Battleship Cove host an extraordinary collection of Naval vessels and is a must-visit attraction in the Bay State. If you've been here and/or spent the night aboard the USS Massachusetts, tell us about the experience you had in the comments. To learn more, visit the Battleship Cove website and Facebook page.

If you have a love of history and antique photographs, take a look at these rare photos taken in Massachusetts during WWII.