Blessing of the Bay is launched.

[1632-CHS] Owned by John Winthrop, the 30-ton bark is launched in today’s Medford (then the area of Charlestown known as Mistick). The first sea-going vessel constructed in the Boston area, it is built in order to reduce reliance on ships from England. Used initially and primarily for costal trade, it departs on its first voyage to the Dutch settlement on Long Island on August 9, 1631 and subsequently sails as far the West Indies. It is later refitted to enable it to pursue pirates and so is sometimes considered the first war ship built in the U.S.