The Traveling Wheelchair

739 Washington Street
Quincy, MA
Phone: 617- 479-7900.
http://www.uss-salem.org/

After returning from  Georges Island my mom, Tony, Ric and I headed to the USS Salem for a tour. The USS Salem is a US Navy Heavy Cruiser Gunship and is the ONLY remaining ship of its type in the world! I would love to board just the main deck of this ship as I’m sure many others in wheelchairs would.

USS Salem is docked right next to Harbor Island Express in Quincy . It is open to the public for tours 7 days per week during the summer months from 10am till 5 pm. Admission is $5 for adults, seniors, and children under 3 are free. Only the main deck of the ship is wheelchair accessible which is truly understandable due steps and ladders getting to other levels. The only problem is the ramp called a shore-side gangway to the main deck is NOT wheelchair accessible due to a few very small steps in front.

This ramp is plenty wide enough for my chair and would be easy to wheel up for the slope is gradual.  The employee kindly told me he could help carry my wheelchair up these few steps. He was young and obviously didn’t realize it would be difficult. We thanked him and said no.

Ric went up the shore-side gangway and told me once you reach the top access to the main deck is easy for there is another small ramp. It’s a shame there isn’t one in front as well :<(

If we brought my EZ Access Threshold Ramp that came free with my  EZ Access Suitcase Ramp  I would have been able to get on board at least one deck of this ship.  The EZ Access Threshold Ramp is 36″ wide, portable, lightweight, durable and free-standing. It’s ideal for doorways and raised steps; it’s adjustable for heights ranging from ¾” to 6″ high. It’s intended for indoor or outdoor use.

I give USS Salem ZERO STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn any Stars they would SIMPLY need to place a threshold ramp at the beginning of the shore-side gangway so a person in a wheelchair can access the main deck.