USS Boston Anchor

The city of Rye and the USS Boston anchor have a long history together.  Before the anchor was placed at the Milton Point Firehouse, the anchor sat on a pedestal for about 30 years in the front traffic circle of the former Durland Scout Center on Rye's Milton Point, which was home to the Boy Scouts.  Former Rye City Judge John Alfano told the fire department that he had helped the director of the Durland Center arrange transportation for the anchor from a fleet in Williamsburg, Virginia to Rye's Durland Scout Center.  Judge Alfano as a member of the Rye Rotary had a conversation with Lauren "Larry" Bradley, then the director of the Durland Scout and also a Rotary member.  Mr. Bradley wanted the scout center to have more of a nautical feel and stand out among the neighboring beach and yacht clubs.  Mr. Bradley had made contact with the US Navy who had indicated that the USS Boston was decommissioned and they had one of its anchors available.  Judge Alfano arranged for the shipment of the anchor to the scout center.

In 2010 with the scout center closing and the land sold to a private owner the future of the anchor was uncertain.  Thats when Chief George Hogben stepped in and found it a new permanent home at the Milton Point Firehouse. 

The 13,000-pound anchor is placed in front of the Milton Firehouse on Milton Road.  The anchor came from the USS Boston that had been one of seven USS Boston ships that sailed from 1776-1999. The anchor's ship reported to the Pacific fleet in 1943 and was part of many well-known assaults and raids on the Pacific Islands during World War II.  The ship earned 15 battle stars, 10 in World War II and 5 during the Vietnam War.   In more than 200 years of duty, no USS Boston ship has ever had a military casualty.

Facts from the USS Boston which the anchor is from: