Salem Harbor
Encyclopedia
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.
through privateering
. When the 13 colonies declared independence
, the Continental Navy
had 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.
, 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.
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
Yacht Clubs
Public docks
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
spanning an area north and south of Salem
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
. Historically the Salem Harbor was the site of one of the major international ports in the colonies. During the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, merchant ships were enlisted as privateers, an important role to augment the ill-prepared Continental Navy
Continental Navy
The Continental Navy was the navy of the United States during the American Revolutionary War, and was formed in 1775. Through the efforts of the Continental Navy's patron, John Adams and vigorous Congressional support in the face of stiff opposition, the fleet cumulatively became relatively...
.
Now the harbor is used for commercial and recreational purposes.
History
Salem merchants defended the colonies during the American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
through privateering
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
. When the 13 colonies declared independence
United States Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. John Adams put forth a...
, the Continental Navy
Continental Navy
The Continental Navy was the navy of the United States during the American Revolutionary War, and was formed in 1775. Through the efforts of the Continental Navy's patron, John Adams and vigorous Congressional support in the face of stiff opposition, the fleet cumulatively became relatively...
had 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
Jonathan Haraden
Jonathan Haraden was a privateer during the American Revolution.-Biography:Born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Haraden joined the Massachusetts State Navy in July 1776 as First Lieutenant of the sloop-of-war Tyrannicide, fourteen guns...
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.
Geography
Salem Harbor is located at 42°31′25"N 70°51′58"W According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, 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
Marblehead, Massachusetts
Marblehead is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 19,808 at the 2010 census. It is home to the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and Devereux Beach...
to the southeast, and Beverly Harbor and divides the city from Beverly
Beverly, Massachusetts
Beverly is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 39,343 on , which differs by no more than several hundred from the 39,862 obtained in the 2000 census. A resort, residential and manufacturing community on the North Shore, Beverly includes Beverly Farms and Prides...
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
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 plant 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 IslandWinter IslandWinter Island is an island connected by a causeway to Salem Neck in Salem, Massachusetts. It consists of about and is surrounded by: Smith Pool , Cat Cove , Salem Channel and Juniper Cove ....
Yacht Yard
Public docks
- Winter IslandWinter IslandWinter Island is an island connected by a causeway to Salem Neck in Salem, Massachusetts. It consists of about and is surrounded by: Smith Pool , Cat Cove , Salem Channel and Juniper Cove ....
Recreational Park at the mouth of the harbor - Kernwood Marina, located up the Danvers river
- Salem Willows ParkSalem WillowsSalem Willows is an oceanfront neighborhood and amusement park in Salem, Massachusetts. It is named for the European white willow trees planted there in 1801 to form a shaded walk for patients convalescing at a nearby smallpox hospital...
pier - At the Congress Street bridge, next to Pickering wharf
Mooring fields
Within the harbor, there are six mooring fields:| Location | Designated Area | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| From the Kernwood Bridge to the Beverly Bridge in the Danvers River | There is a long waiting list and very little turnover. | |
| From the Beverly Bridge to Monument Bar | 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 | There is space available but poor access and exposure to severe weather. | |
| From the Power Plant Jetty to Derby Wharf Light | There is very little available space and poor public access here. | |
| From Derby Light to Forest River | There is room in this area but the water is shallow and access poor. | |
| From Winter Island Light to the Power Plant Jetty | 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. | |