Tag Archives: Weymouth

July 22, 2023

Donald F Haviland Memorial (Webb Park, Weymouth, MA)

Location: Webb Park, Weymouth, MA

Date Of Visit: July, 2023

We all consider ourselves brave, fearless and calm under pressure. But, what would we really do when faced with a life or death scenario? In all likelihood, we would fall short of our expectations.

Commander Donald F Haviland faced this very same scenario on February 23, 1945. He, however, made a much different decision.

While transporting Norwegian refugees from Russia on the SS Henry Bacon, the ship Haviland was on encountered a heavy gale. The ship had to be taken out of Convoy RA 64 to make repairs from the damage resulting from the gale. This left the SS Henry Bacon vulnerable and German air fighters took advantage. Twenty three German planes attacked the SS Henry Bacon. Despite the USS Henry Bacon shooting down several planes and warding off most of the attackers, the ship did sustain one hit which made the USS Henry Bacon founder.

As the ship was sinking, it was determined there was not enough life boats for all the refugees and personnel. Upon hearing this information, Chief Engineer Haviland, he forfeited his life boat so that a younger man could take his place on in the life boat. Haviland went down with the ship.

Haviland earned the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal posthumously for his selfless act of heroism.

This memorial always gives me pause when I visit Webb Memorial State Park. What would we do in this situation? Would we have the same brave and selfless spirit? Likely no. But, Haviland and people of his ilk are a different breed. The valor he displayed is truly remarkable.

Each Fourth of July and other days of remembrance, flowers, flags, shells, rocks and other displays of tribute are left at Haviland’s memorial.

A photo of Haviland was also placed upon the memorial during my visit.

Admiral Emory Scott Land put it best in regards to Haviland’s sacrifice when he stated Haviland’s “unselfish action in sacrificing his life to save a shipmate constitutes a degree of heroism in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Merchant Marine.”

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November 24, 2015

Webb Memorial State Park (Weymouth, MA)

By New England Nomad

Once a seasonal campsite for Native Americans as well as the site for a fertilizer factory and a missile launcher warehouse, Webb Memorial State Park has gone through many changes over the years. It has since been cleaned up and developed into one of the lesser known jewels of the South Shore of Massachusetts.

Named after William K. Webb, a World War II and police officer from Weymouth, Webb Park is a popular spot for joggers and other outdoor enthusiasts. There are many different paths that offer various pretty views of the skyline of Boston and the surrounding cities.

You can see planes flying to and from Boston’s Logan International Airport. They are so loud you can hear them clear across the harbor.

There are also several monuments at Webb State Park.

This memorial is named after John Cole, a former resident of Weymouth, MA.

This memorial is dedicated to Chief Engineer Donald F. Haviland. Haviland was on the Henry Bacon which took heavy damage from enemy bombers. He refused to take a seat on one of the lifeboats because the lifeboats were running out of room and not everyone could fir on the lifeboats. Haviland gave up his seat on the lifeboat to a younger person and he died when the ship sunk. He is certainly worthy of our admiration and this token of our appreciation. This memorial certainly makes you think.

Another monument memorializes the Grape Island Alarm which was a Revolutionary War battle where a Weymouth militia fought back the British Navy.

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There is also a memorial dedicated to Domenic J. Sansone.

There are a variety of birds in the area. I was lucky enough to photograph this woodpecker

a sparrow

and this female cardinal. You might have to enlarge the photo at the top of one of the branches toward the right side of the tree.

I also spotted this bird. Another one that might be a little hard to see unless you zoom in.

There were many additional land animals at the park during my visit. (top left to right – Nandi, Molly and Ziggy, bottom left to right – Ellsbury, Louie and Olly)