Neptune's Needle

42º20'N 71º01'W. Originally Shawmut peninsula, until renamed when Governor John Winthrop moved there from Charlestown in late summer of 1630 for its extensive waterfront and fresh water. Capital of Massachusetts Bay Colony (and later Massachusetts) In 1630s was the principal landing spot for the 12,000 English immigrants who came to New England.

By 1650s Boston was becoming a major port for all of New England; also a shipbuilding center. By 1730 had a population of 13,000, making it much the largest of colonial towns and a port second only to London and Bristol within the British Empire. Only New England port with extensive direct commercial connections with London.

Population growth slowed thereafter, while New York City and Philadelphia grew faster, largely because of deeper hinterlands producing more exports than New England. Years after French and Indian War characterized by an economic depression and unemployment among maritime-occupied, who constituted more than 20% of the town's employed. Became a center of opposition to British trade and taxation policies. British forces move to town in numbers in 1768.Boston Massacre in 1770 and Boston Tea Party in 1773 instances of popular opposition to British rule The Battle of Bunker Hill, fought on Breed’s Hill on June 17, 1775, was one of the 1st battles of the Revolution, and Boston was under siege until the British withdrew in March 1776.

After a short postwar depression, Boston entered a period of prosperity that lasted until the mid-19th cent. Ships built here made Boston known around the world. Boston Light (1716), at the entrance to Boston Harbor, is the oldest lighthouse in the U.S. The Boston Naval Shipyard (est. 1800, closed 1973) was the berth of the restored U.S.S. Constitution, which was originally launched (1797) a short distance away. USS Constitution Natl. Park is located in Charlestown. In 2001, Boston is the U.S.'s 33rd busiest port.

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Compiler

Peter Richards