A groundbreaking ceremony has been held in Boston, US, to mark the start of construction work on the new Tea Party Ships and Museum at the city's Atlantic Wharf.

The new attraction is to be twice the original size of its predecessor, which was first opened in 1973 but was demolished after sustaining extensive fire damage.

A number of exhibits, video presentations, living history programmes and artefacts will form part of the museum, which will explore the story of the 1733 Boston Tea Party.

Two tall ships - the Dartmouth and the Eleanor - will join the Beaver at the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museums as part of its visitor offer.

The replica vessels will enable guests to view the deck areas; the crew's quarters; and cargo holds, while the wharf areas will also contain one of two surviving Robinson Tea Chests.

In addition to the museum, a tavern and tearoom will offer food and drink services and will be capable of accommodating group functions, while an expanded gift shop is also planned.

Image: Shawn P. Ford, executive director and vice president of the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum (centre) and James Rooney, executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (right of Ford), with actors dressed as colonists from 1773.