Salem Harbor

Map highlighting Salem, Massachusetts

Map of Salem, Massachusetts and Harbor, 1883

Salem Harbor is a harbor in northeastern Massachusetts spanning an area north and south of Salem. Historically the Salem Harbor was the site of one of the major international ports in the colonies. During the American Revolutionary War, merchant ships were enlisted as privateers, an important role to augment the ill-prepared Continental Navy.

Now the harbor is used for commercial and recreational purposes.

History

Salem merchants defended the colonies during the American Revolutionary War through privateering. When the 13 colonies declared independence, the Continental Navy was only comprised of only 31 ships. To support their efforts Letters of Marque were issued to private merchant ships to authorize them to attack enemy merchant ships. George Washington's Army numbered 11,000 men; There were 11,000 privateers at sea in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and between Ireland and England. One of the goals was to obtain gunpowder, outlawed for import by the British. Over 2 million pounds of gunpowder and saltpeter were brought in by the privateers and merchantmen. They also prevented British soldiers and over 10,000 seamen out of the British Navy, with the Continental Navy the total was 16,000 captured British.

Titus, a slave to Mrs. John Cabot of Salem, established a business and successfully recruited blacks as privateers during the war. Captain Jonathan Haraden was considered one of the best privateers, simultaneously fighting three armed British ships. His efforts resulted in the capture of 10,000 cannons.

During the late 18th and early 19th centuries made, international trade was conducted in Salem from the Atlantic coast "to the farthest ports of the rich east." Salem was one of the leading international ports by the end of the 18th century, importing ceramics, furniture, decorative arts, artificial flowers, textiles, spices and dye.

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  Salem Harbor and its shipping industry, 1770s
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  Salem Harbor, oil on canvas, Fitz Hugh Lane, 1853. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
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  Salem Harbor, 1907

Geography

Salem Harbor is located at 42°31′25″N 70°51′58″W Template:GR According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Salem has a total area of 18.1 square miles (46.8 km²), of which, 8.1 square miles (21.0 km²) of it is land and 9.9 square miles (25.8 km²) of it (55.09%) is water.

Salem Harbor divides the city from much of neighboring Marblehead to the southeast, and Beverly Harbor and divides the city from Beverly along with the Danvers River, which feeds into the harbor. Between the two harbors lies Salem Neck and Winter Island, which are divided from each other by Cat Cove, Smith Pool (located between the two land causeways to Winter Island) and Juniper Cove.

Salem Harbor

The Salem Ferry, Salem Harbor, Massachusetts

Salem is the second deepest of the five ports in Massachusetts. Within its harbor are commercial and recreational vessels. There are over 1,600 permitted recreational boats in Salem waters and an estimated 8,000 moored or slipped recreational boats using the waters of Salem Sound. Inside the harbor, the electric power plan receives shipments of coal and oil from around the world. Mid-size cruise ships navigate and drop anchor in the harbor.

The Harbormaster Department operates 24 hours a day. It has its own separate city department under the control of the Mayor of Salem and is also a sub-division of the Police Department.

Marinas, yachts and docks

The following organizations are located in or near the Salem Harbor:

Marinas

• Pickering Wharf Marina with transient dockage
• Hawthorne Cove Marina with transient dockage and moorings
• Nearby Port Marina in Beverly offers gas and diesel service.

Yacht Clubs

• The Salem Willows Yacht Club which sells non-diesel fuel to the public in season.
• Palmers Cove Yacht Club, located inside the inner harbor.
• Dions Yacht Yard
• Hawthorne Cove Marina
• Winter Island Yacht Yard

Public docks

• Winter Island Recreational Park at the mouth of the harbor
• Kernwood Marina, located up the Danvers river
• Salem Willows Park pier
• At the Congress Street bridge, next to Pickering wharf

Mooring fields

Within the harbor, there are six mooring fields:

Standort	Designated Area	Kommentare
From the Kernwood Bridge to the Beverly Bridge in the Danvers River	S	There is a long waiting list and very little turnover.
From the Beverly Bridge to Monument Bar	A	There is very little space here and poor access from shore. This area is predominantly used by two Yacht Clubs, the Jubilee and Salem Willows.
From Monument Bar to Winter Island Light	L	There is space available but poor access and exposure to severe weather.
From the Power Plant Jetty to Derby Wharf Light	E	There is very little available space and poor public access here.
From Derby Light to Forest River	M	There is room in this area but the water is shallow and access poor.
From Winter Island Light to the Power Plant Jetty	WI	There is available space and good access from Winter Island Park. The Park Dept charges non-residents an entrance fee to the park. Launch service is now available at Winter Island for 2006 season. Parking pass and launch service for $500 per year. Call Hawthorne Cove Marina for details at 978-740-9890 or Winter Island Park at 978-745-9430.

External link

• Salem Harbor Harbormaster