In this weekâs episode, we sit down with author Steven Ujifusa to discuss his new book Barons of the Sea, and Their Race to Build the Worldâs Fastest Clipper Ship, which will be out this Tuesday, July 17. Â Steven will tell us about 19th century drug smuggling, what it meant to trade for tea in China or gold in California, and why Americaâs most prominent families were involved in the shipping business. Most of all, heâll tell us about the East Boston shipyard where Donald McKay built the fastest, most graceful ships the world had ever seen. Â
The Wreck of the Mary O’Hara (episode 88)
In January 1941, the two masted fishing schooner Mary OâHara collided with a barge in Boston Harbor.  At least 18 sailors died in the ice cold waters of Boston Harbor, while they were almost in sight of their own homes. Only five members of the crew managed to cling to the exposed mast for hours until help arrived. At the time, headlines called it Boston Harborâs worst disaster.
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Back Bay walking tour, July 8
In conjunction with this weekendâs History Camp Boston, I (Jake) am offering a walking tour of the Back Bay on Sunday, July 8. Weâll meet at the corner of Beacon and Charles inside the gate of the Common at 10am. Please register in advance or come see me at History Camp.
Details: The Back Bay is the Grande Dame of Bostonâs neighborhoods. Here you will find fine dining, upscale shopping, and a grid of streets that actually makes sense. Looking around at the the cultural institutions located in Copley Square or the public art along the Commonwealth Avenue Promenade, it is hard to imagine that this area was once a trash and sewage filled lagoon. Continue reading Back Bay walking tour, July 8
The Charles River Esplanade (episode 87)
This week, over a half a million people from near and far will flock to the banks of the Charles River to celebrate our nationâs Independence Day. Why did Boston decide to create new land dedicated to recreation along the river, and how did some of that land end up being used for a highway instead? The story begins with the Storrow family. Listen now!
Immigration in Boston (episode 86)
In this weekâs episode, we use three classic episodes to turn the Trump administrationâs anti-immigrant rhetoric on its head. The President teaches us to be afraid of Central American and Middle Eastern immigrants and asylum seekers because of terrorism, crime, and an unfamiliar religion. Our ancestors had these same fears about earlier immigrant groups, groups that are today considered part of the fabric of America. In their day, Italian Americans were suspected of terrorism, Chinese Americans were blamed for organized crime, and Irish Americans were feared because of their unfamiliar and potentially dangerous religion.
Superfluous Flesh Blooper
Back in episode 82, Jake had to read some advertising copy from an early 20th century diet and fitness program. The simple phrase, âsuperfluous fleshâ flummoxed Jake.
When Darkness Veiled the Sky (episode 85)
This weekâs show relates three incidents across three centuries when daytime turned to darkness in the skies over Boston.  They werenât solar eclipses. Instead, they were a different natural phenomenon, one that was completely unpredictable and each time led to speculation that the end of the world was at hand. Â
The Broad Street Riot (episode 84)
The Broad Street Riot of 1837 was one of Bostonâs many historical melees. This one took place when a company of Yankee firefighters ran into an Irish funeral. Despite our reputation as a coastal liberal enclave, Boston has a history of hostility towards newcomers.  When Irish immigrants began arriving in our harbor en masse, Yankee nativists welcomed them with violence and prejudice. Before long, a funeral procession in the wrong place at the wrong time led to a brawl with well over 10,000 participants and onlookers.
Wicked Proud (episode 83)
Itâs Pride Week in Boston, so weâre bringing you the story of Bostonâs first Pride parade. While most early Pride celebrations were joyous occasions, Bostonâs 1971 Pride parade was a protest march. Inspired by Stonewall, activists confronted representatives of religion, policing, and government.
Bathing Beauty Baffles Bashful Boston (episode 82)
Weâre taking you to the beach for Memorial Day weekend.  111 years ago, champion swimmer Annette Kellerman was arrested on Revere Beach. Her crime? Appearing in public in a one piece bathing suit of her own design. Along with being a record setting swimmer, Kellerman was a fitness and wellness guru, a vaudeville producer, movie actress, and a clothing designer.  Besides her athletic prowess, she was known for her physical beauty, appearing in Hollywoodâs first nude scene. A Harvard professor would go so far as to claim that he had scientific proof that she was âthe most beautifully formed woman of modern times.â  Puritanical Boston wasnât prepared to see the exposed arms of such a specimen, so Kellerman was arrested for indecent exposure.
Continue reading Bathing Beauty Baffles Bashful Boston (episode 82)