U.S.S. JOSEPH P. KENNEDY JR. (DD-850)
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Why it's listed
This destroyer, completed in 1945, is moored at Battleship Cove on the Taunton River in Fall River, Massachusetts. It measures 390 feet long, with a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure, and carries five-inch 45-calibre guns. A 1961 modernization at the New York Naval Shipyard converted it into an anti-submarine warfare destroyer with an ASROC launcher. The ship was named for Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., the eldest son of Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy, a Navy aviator killed off Normandy. His brother Robert F. Kennedy served aboard as a radarman, and President John F. Kennedy watched the 1962 America's Cup races from its second deck. The vessel earned battle stars in the Korean War in 1951 and took part in the 1962 Cuban blockade, helping to board the freighter Marcula. It also supported NASA recovery efforts. Decommissioned in 1973 and moved to Battleship Cove in 1974, it serves as an educational resource and the Commonwealth memorial to the Korean and Vietnam dead.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the ship is significant for its role in the Korean War and the 1962 Cuban Missile Blockade, and for its strong associations with the Kennedy family. It was named for the eldest son of Joseph P. Kennedy, and Robert F. Kennedy served aboard as a radarman. The nomination acknowledges the ship does not meet the age criteria and requests an exception based on exceptional significance.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 76000231, listed September 30, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Battleship Cove, Fall River |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | September 30, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76000231 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1945 |
| Areas of significance | Military, Transportation |
| Level of significance | National, State |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated June 29, 1989 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Moored at Battleship Cove as a museum and educational resource; exterior was being restored and interior spaces prepared for exhibition halls at the time of nomination. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.70570, -71.16301 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 76000231.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7870601
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.