Massachusetts, Part 2

Salem, Massachusetts.  Witches.  Witch Trials.  All things Witch.


Unfortunately, my biggest interest in Salem was the sailing and maritime displays, and I managed to do almost nothing with witches.  I hope no one is too disappointed by that....

We arrived at the National Park Visitors' Center around 1 p.m. and caught the film on 300 years of Essex County history (the film lasted 1/2 an hour).  About three minutes of time were devoted to the Witch Trials.  We did learn a little about the local Native Americans, followed by the Puritans, then the colonists (most of whom were fishermen and sailors).  Later, manufacturing moved in.

This is one of the oldest National Historic Sites in the United States, chartered in 1937.  Its emphasis is on the sailing and fishing industries, which were two of the earliest national industries in the country.  The Visitors' Center holds displays, a gift shop, and park rangers who know the area.  Once done at the Center, you can leave the building and walk the six blocks or so to the Maritime Historic Area.

This area hosts the three docks, the ship Friendship of Salem, the Customs House, and other related locations.  Tours of some of the buildings are available.  The Friendship of Salem ship is open for exploring on your own, although there are park rangers on board to answer questions.  (My question: what is a leechline?  I know it's a rope, I'm just not sure what it's attached to....)

At left is a shot of Friendship. This is a replica of a trading ship that made 15 runs between 1797 and 1812, when she was captured by a British ship as a prize of war.  The Parks Service has some of her history here.  And you can find more here.

This ship actually sails local waters, as far away as New York City.  One of the rangers on board said the ship was seaworthy enough to go anywhere in the world, but the volunteers who maintain and sail it weren't likely to choose to go as far as, say, India...


There are 17 miles of line on this ship.  That's enough to stretch from the town of Salem to Boston, Massachusetts!  There are so many lines that the ship actually has a diagram (right) of what each line is called and where it is attached.  The small picture left shows the lines on one of the masts.
  

Visitors can also go below decks.  At left is an example of crew bunks.  Some are in rooms, others are in a common area which doubles as a storage area and carpentry workshop, part of which is shown at right.

Also part of the Maritime Historical Area, the Custom House (right) held the officers of port officials who levied taxes, impounded cargo if necessary, and otherwise represented the Federal Government's interest in the shipping industry of the area.  The current building was erected in 1819.  Inside are displays of tools of the trade, as well as the office of author Nathaniel Hawthorne, who worked as a Customs official for three years.  That time supposedly inspired his book The Scarlet Letter.

More from Salem tomorrow, including the cemetery!