USS Cassin Young
USS Cassin Young (DD-793) is a World War II destroyer docked at Pier 1 in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts. The ship is part of Boston National Historical Park, and the National Park Service offers ranger-led tours aboard it. This page covers where USS Cassin Young is, how the tours work, the ship's history and namesake, what you see below deck, and how to fit a Charlestown visit into a day with Boston Sightseeing, whose Boston and Charlestown ticket reaches the neighborhood.
Location
USS Cassin Young is docked at Pier 1 in the Charlestown Navy Yard, part of Boston National Historical Park in the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston. The National Park Service says tours start on the ship's deck at the end of Pier 1. The park lists its address as 21 Second Avenue, Charlestown, MA 02129, and its phone number as 617-242-5601.
Getting There
Charlestown sits across the Charles River from downtown Boston and the North End. Check a transit trip planner for the best route on the day you travel, since options vary. If you ride with Boston Sightseeing, the Boston and Charlestown ticket covers Stops 1 to 11, and Stop 10 is the USS Constitution Museum, which is also inside the Charlestown Navy Yard. The tour map lists USS Cassin Young under Stop 10, so Stop 10 is the stop to use for the ship.
Tours Aboard USS Cassin Young
Visitors do not walk the ship on their own. The National Park Service runs ranger-led tours, and each tour lasts about 45 minutes.
Tour Times And Tickets
For the 2026 season, the National Park Service lists tours from May 23 to November 11, Wednesday through Sunday, at 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM and 3 PM. Tickets are free and handed out first come, first served aboard the ship. Reservations are not required, and each tour is limited to 12 people. Schedules change by season, and the angle of the boarding gangway depends on the tide, so check the National Park Service's current schedule or call 617-242-5601 before you go.
What To Know Before You Climb
Boarding means climbing eight stairs to a gangway, then stepping down onto the deck. The deck slants slightly in some areas, and going below deck means using ladders and moving through tight spaces. You may have to step over ledges or duck your head to enter rooms. The park requires visitors to be over 48 inches tall to climb the ladders safely. Accessibility is limited, and pets are not allowed aboard. If you travel with a service animal or have mobility questions, contact the park at 617-242-5601 before you go.
History
USS Cassin Young was built by Bethlehem Steel at San Pedro, California, launched on September 12, 1943, and commissioned on December 31, 1943. Her hull number is DD-793, which is why searches for the ship sometimes include it.
Who Was Cassin Young?
The ship is named for Captain Cassin Young, a Navy officer born in 1894. At Pearl Harbor he commanded the repair ship USS Vestal and received the Medal of Honor for saving that ship. He was killed in action at Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942, while commanding the cruiser USS San Francisco.
World War II Service
The Navy's ship history describes service screening carrier task forces in the Marianas, Palau and Philippines campaigns in 1944. During the Leyte operation in October 1944, the National Park Service says the ship rescued more than 120 men from the carrier USS Princeton. USS Cassin Young also took part in the Iwo Jima assault in February 1945 and served as a radar picket ship during the Okinawa campaign.
At Okinawa the ship was hit by kamikaze attacks. The National Park Service says a kamikaze struck on April 12, 1945, killing one sailor and wounding 59, and that a second strike in late July 1945 killed 22 and wounded 45. Sources give the date of the second strike as July 29 or 30. The ship received four battle stars and the Navy Unit Commendation.
After The War
USS Cassin Young was decommissioned on May 28, 1946, and placed in the reserve fleet. She was recommissioned in September 1951, after the Korean War began, and she later made Mediterranean and northern Europe deployments. The Navy decommissioned her for the final time on April 29, 1960. Today she is maintained by National Park Service staff and volunteers as a museum ship in Boston.
What To See?
The ranger-led tour is the way to see the ship, and the National Park Service lists these areas as part of it:
- Combat Information Center
- Plotting Room
- Officers' Country berthing area
- Ammunition Handling Room
- Officers' Mess
- Sailors' Berthing Area
- Crew Mess
- Galley
- Barber Shop
- Bridge
Taken together, those spaces show how a destroyer crew lived and fought, from the cramped berthing areas to the rooms that tracked aircraft and ships. Because the tour starts on deck, you also get a look at the ship from the pier and the harbor around the navy yard.
Nearby Attractions
USS Cassin Young is part of a cluster of historic sites in Charlestown, so most visitors pair it with one or two others.
- USS Constitution Museum: The museum for the 1797 frigate, inside the same navy yard and Stop 10 on the Boston Sightseeing route, where the tour map also lists USS Cassin Young.
- Charlestown Navy Yard: The former shipyard that holds both ships and the park's visitor facilities. The grounds are open 24 hours a day, according to the National Park Service.
- Bunker Hill Monument: The granite obelisk on Breed's Hill, a short trip from the navy yard.
- Things to do in Charlestown: A wider guide to the neighborhood.
- North End: Across the water, known for Italian restaurants, narrow streets and historic churches. Many visitors pair it with Charlestown.
Planning Your Tour
USS Cassin Young is a good fit for visitors interested in naval history, but it takes planning. The tours are limited to 12 people, the schedule is seasonal, and the climbing is not easy for everyone.
- Arrive early for the first tour of the day, because tickets are first come, first served.
- Wear closed shoes you can climb ladders in.
- Allow about 45 minutes for the tour, plus time to walk the pier.
- Check the National Park Service schedule, since the gangway angle depends on the tide.
- Combine the ship with the USS Constitution Museum to fill a half day.
Because the tours run Wednesday through Sunday in the current season, build your Charlestown day around those days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there USS Cassin Young tours?
Yes. The National Park Service runs free ranger-led tours of about 45 minutes. For the 2026 season it lists Wednesday through Sunday at 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM and 3 PM, from May 23 to November 11. Confirm the schedule before you go.
Where is USS Cassin Young?
USS Cassin Young is docked at Pier 1 in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, part of Boston National Historical Park. Tours start on the ship's deck at the end of the pier.
Is USS Cassin Young free to visit?
Yes. The National Park Service says admission and tour tickets are free, handed out first come, first served aboard the ship. Reservations are not required.
Who was Cassin Young?
Cassin Young was a Navy captain who received the Medal of Honor for saving the repair ship USS Vestal at Pearl Harbor. He was killed in action at Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942, while commanding the cruiser USS San Francisco.
When was USS Cassin Young commissioned?
The Navy commissioned the ship on December 31, 1943. She served in the Pacific in World War II and was recommissioned in 1951.
What battles did USS Cassin Young fight in?
She served in the Marianas, Palau and Philippines campaigns, the Leyte operation, the Iwo Jima assault and the Okinawa campaign. She was struck by kamikaze attacks at Okinawa in 1945.
Is USS Cassin Young a museum?
Yes. It is a museum ship maintained by National Park Service staff and volunteers as part of Boston National Historical Park.
Is USS Cassin Young accessible?
Accessibility is limited. Boarding uses eight stairs and a gangway, tours involve ladders and tight spaces, and visitors must be over 48 inches tall. Pets are not allowed. If you travel with a service animal, contact the park at 617-242-5601 before you go.
Is USS Cassin Young near a Boston Sightseeing stop?
Yes. The tour map lists USS Cassin Young under Stop 10, the USS Constitution Museum, in the Charlestown Navy Yard. The Boston and Charlestown ticket covers Stops 1 to 11, and the All Day ticket does not reach Charlestown.
Planning Your Boston Tour with Boston Sightseeing
Boston Sightseeing runs a hop-on hop-off double-decker bus tour with live commentary, so you can see Boston's main landmarks and get off where you like. The Boston and Charlestown ticket covers Stops 1 to 11, including Stop 10, the USS Constitution Museum, which sits inside the Charlestown Navy Yard. The tour map lists USS Cassin Young under Stop 10. The All Day ticket covers Stops 1 to 8 and does not include Charlestown. The Cruise Terminal ticket covers Stops 1 to 8 and 12 to 15.
The bus runs daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Plan to reach Charlestown before the last ship tour at 3:00 PM, and confirm the tour schedule for your date. See the ticket cards below for current options, and use the hop-on hop-off tour map to see every stop. The complete guide to hop-on hop-off tours in Boston explains how the tickets compare.
Our Tour Packages
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$33.25
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Hop-On Hop-Off All Day
$41.55
Boston City Sightseeing Tour
Experience historic Boston with unlimited hop-on hop-off at your own pace.
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- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
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- 90 Minutes tour
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Hop-on Hop-off Boston & Charlestown Tour
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Boston & Charlestown Tour
Experience the charm of Boston & Charlestown with Boston Sightseeing at your own pace.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop-1 to Stop-11
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- 120 Minutes Tour
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2 Days Boston & Charlestown Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
$70.40
2 Days Boston & Charlestown Tour
Explore Boston & Charlestown with Boston's first double-decker bus at your own pace.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop-1 to Stop-11
- Hop-on Hop-off Charlestown Tour
- Blue & Orange Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
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- 120 Minutes Tour
- 2 Days Validity
Cruise Terminal Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
$52.00
200 Minutes Hop-on Hop-off
Get onboard from Boston Cruise terminal and explore the historic beantown with Boston Sightseeing double-decker bus.
- Hop-on Hop-off Boston Tour
- Stop 1-8, 12-15
- Blue & Purple Route Tour
- Double-Decker Bus Tour
- Shuttle Bus Tour
- 200 Minutes Tour
- 1 Day Validity
- Charlestown Tour
Boston & Cambridge City Tour
$63.00
Guided Photo & City Tour
A 3.5-hour guided shuttle tour featuring Boston’s most iconic neighborhoods, Cambridge highlights, waterfront views, and curated photo opportunities.
- Guided Boston & Cambridge sightseeing tour
- Approximately 3.5 hours
- Curated stops and photo opportunities
- Climate-controlled shuttle bus transportation
- Live local tour guide
- 45-minutes Quincy Market lunch break
- Same-day tour experience
- Double-Decker Bus Service
- Hop-on, hop-off service
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