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

To the Farthest Port

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2009

1. To the Farthest Port Marker

Inscription. In the late 1700s and early 1800s Salem’s ships reached out to the world. From this wharf alone between 1785 and 1799, shipowner Elias Hasket Derby dispatched 170 trading vessels on pioneering voyages to China, India, the East Indies, and the Baltic. The first New England vessel to visit the Orient was Derby’s Grand Turk which set sail in 1785.

A merchant ship bound for the East Indies might have slipped from her berth here with a cargo of salted fish, ham, flour, whale oil, soap, tobacco, leather, and iron. A year later she might return with a cargo worth twice as much. Foreign goods that brought a good price in 1790 included tea, coffee, silks, chinaware, sugar, salt, and lemons.

Salem’s trade empire extended – in the words of the city motto – “To the Farthest Port of the Rich East.” Salem’s prosperity boosted the economy of a young America, and “Salem” became a familiar name around the world.

Erected by U.S. Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1785.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 42°

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

31.08′ N, 70° 53.092′ W. Marker was in Salem, Massachusetts, in Essex County. Marker could be reached from Derby Street, 0.2 miles south of Orange Street. This historical marker is located in the Salem Maritime, National Historic Site, about 1/2 of the way out on the Derby Wharf. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Salem MA 01970, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Friendship of Salem (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Friendship of Salem (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pedrick Store House, 1770 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wharves in the Early 1800s (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Point Neighborhood (approx. ¼ mile away); Derby Wharf (approx. ¼ mile away); Wharves in the late 1800's (approx. ¼ mile away); Central Wharf (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.

More about this marker. This marker is no longer at this location and has been replaced by another marker (Wharves in the Early 1800s).

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2009

2. To the Farthest Port Marker

View of historical marker on the Derby Wharf with the Derby Wharf light in the distant background.

Salem Maritime, National Historic Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2009

3. Salem Maritime, National Historic Site

View of the waterfront at the Salem Maritime, National Historic Site, with the Derby Wharf situated on the left side of the picture.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 881 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on July 31, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 25, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.