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Salem in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
 

Friendship of Salem

 
 
Friendship of Salem Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 8, 2023
1. Friendship of Salem Marker
Inscription. Friendship of Salem is a full-size, fully operational replica of Friendship, a cargo ship built in Salem, Massachusetts in 1797 for merchants Jerathmiel Peirce and Aaron Waite. Friendship was an East Indiaman, built for international trade. The original Friendship made 15 voyages around the world, trading local products like dried cod fish and timber for pepper, spices, sugar, coffee, silk, tea, and other exotic goods. Today, Friendship of Salem sails to nearby ports, helping to bring the region's maritime heritage to life.

Construction of Friendship
The hull of Friendship was constructed at Scarano Shipyard in Albany, NY between 1996 and 1998. The ship's rigging was built and is maintained by National Park Service staff with assistance from the Naval, Historical Center Detachment, Boston, Don's Yacht Yard of Salem; and a dedicated crew of NPS volunteers.

Below Deck
On the 'tween deck of the ship, you can see the crew's bunks and the cabins belonging to the captain and officers.

Specifications for the modern Friendship of Salem
Length, jib boom to spanker boom: 171'
Beam: 27'
Draft: 11'3"
Main mast: 106' from deck, 120' from keel
Gross tonnage: 342 tons
Number of sails: 17
Sail area: 9,409 sq. ft. (.216 acres)
 
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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1797.
 
Location. 42° 31.214′ N, 70° 53.183′ W. Marker is in Salem, Massachusetts, in Essex County. It can be reached from Derby Street east of Orange Street, on the right when traveling north. Located on Derby Wharf. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Salem MA 01970, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Massachusetts’ North Shore, in Greater Boston, and in the Merrimack Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Friendship of Salem (a few steps from this marker); Pedrick Store House, 1770 (within shouting distance of this marker); Wharves in the Early 1800s (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Derby Wharf (about 400 feet away); Wharves in the late 1800's (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named The Custom House (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Central Wharf (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Salem Maritime National Historic Site (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.
 
Other markers no longer nearby. The Pedrick Store House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Central Wharf (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has
Friendship of Salem Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 8, 2023
2. Friendship of Salem Marker
been confirmed missing); Wharves in the Late 1800s (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Salem Maritime National Historic Site (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Derby Wharf (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); The Custom House (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
 
Also see . . .  Friendship of Salem – National Park Service. (Submitted on May 2, 2023, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
 
Friendship of Salem image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 8, 2023
3. Friendship of Salem
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 268 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on April 27, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
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Jun. 20, 2026