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

Wharves in the Early 1800s

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

 
 
Wharves in the Early 1800s Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, July 1, 2015
1. Wharves in the Early 1800s Marker
Inscription. If you visited Salem’s waterfront in the late 1700s or early 1800s you would have been impressed not only by the ships and their exotic cargo, but also by the variety of artisans and craftsmen who worked on the wharf. Sail makers, riggers, rope makers, and blacksmiths were only some of the skilled workers vital to Salem’s fleets.

This modern painting depicts the area along Derby Street in the early 1800s when Salem’s trade was at its peak. Featured in the foreground is Derby Wharf (where you are now standing) with its three-story warehouses. The other historic wharves in the painting no longer exist. Along the shore on the left side of the painting is a shipyard, where a hull is being constructed. Just above the shipyard is the Turner-Ingersoll mansion, immortalized by Nathaniel Hawthorne in his novel The House of Seven Gables.

Isaac Cushing, ship joiner, has removed his Business to the Chamber of Store no. 15, Derby Wharf, where orders in his line will be gratefully received, and faithfully executed. Patent Binnacles & Sky Lights of all sizes will be constantly kept for sale at the above place. – Advertisement in the Essex Register, March 13, 1811


How it Looked Then
1 The ship John docked after a voyage to the East Indies. The keel rests on the mud exposed at low tide.

2 Derby
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Wharf, begun in 1762.

3 Unloading sugar from Isle de France (Mauritus).

4 Unloading cotton from India.

5 Dunnage, packing material used to prevent cargo from shifting.

6 Weighing unloaded cargo on the U.S. Customs scales.

7 Weighing unloaded cargo on merchant’s tripod scales.

8 Coppering the hull of a schooner to protect it from wood-boring teredo worms.

9 Counting house of ship owner Elias Hasket Derby, Jr. whose one-horse chaise is parked in front.

10 Schooner delivering lumber.

11 Brig under construction in the shipyard.

12 The brig Badger.

13 The ship Monk.

14 Ship captain Samuel Ingersoll’s home, later known as the House of Seven Gables.

15 Fishing boat heading out of the harbor.

16 Orne’s Wharf.

17 Former privateer Rhodes.

18 Crowninshield Wharf, or India Wharf, built in 1802. Three merchant ships are docked along each side.

19 Stagecoach awaiting a shore party.

20 A visiting naval frigate, with sailors rowing ashore.

21 Coney Island, near the harbor entrance.

22 Baker’s Island Light.

23 Becket’s shipyard, birthplace of many of Salem’s famous vessels.

Cargo
A Hides B Hemp C Tea D Tallow E Nutmeg F Coffee G Molasses H Cotton I Fireworks
Wharves in the Early 1800s Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 12, 2021
2. Wharves in the Early 1800s Marker
J Pepper K Wine L Sugar M Chinaware
 
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & CommerceSettlements & SettlersWaterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is March 13, 1965.
 
Location. 42° 31.244′ N, 70° 53.2′ W. Marker is in Salem, Massachusetts, in Essex County. Marker can be reached from Derby Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is along Derby Wharf at Salem Maritime National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 177 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pedrick Store House, 1770 (a few steps from this marker); Friendship of Salem (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Friendship of Salem (within shouting distance of this marker); Derby Wharf (within shouting distance of this marker); Wharves in the late 1800's (within shouting distance of this marker); The Custom House (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Wharf (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Salem Maritime National Historic Site (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.
 
Wharves in the Early 1800s Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, July 1, 2015
3. Wharves in the Early 1800s Marker
The marker was on the left hand side of Darby Wharf while walking out to the lighthouse.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 487 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on April 18, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos:   1. submitted on July 31, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.   2. submitted on November 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.   3. submitted on July 31, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.

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Mar. 29, 2024