Mariners, Pilots, Coasters, and Wharfingers

These occupations attest to the importance that the maritime trade industry still had in Salem during the late 1830s. The most common profession was mariner (N=355), which were the sailors who worked the shipping vessels. Additionally, there were several more specialized skilled occupations affliated with the shipping business. These included pilots (N=3), people who brought ships in and out of the harbor. There were also coasters (N=9), people who moved ships along the coastline. Woodwharfs (N=5) and wharfingers (N=1) were supervisors of the busy activity of ships coming and going from specific wharves. There were a number of ship chandlers (N=7), persons who outfitted ships with the provisions needed when leaving on voyages. Additionally, there were a small number of fishermen (N=6) working out of Salem Harbor.

This is a photograph of Peddricks Warehouse and the Friendship of Salem, along Derby Wharf. Peddrick's is an historic waterfront warehouse that was moved from the neighboring town of Marblehead (across the harbor, in the background) to its present location on Derby Wharf. The Friendship of Salem is a replica shipping/cargo vessel, based upon an accurate scale model of the original 1797 Friendship. The original Friendship was built across the river from Derby Wharf at Briggs Shipyard. The original Friendship sailed on fifteen voyages (from 1797 to 1812) based out of Salem Harbor. Its voyages included London, Germany (2X), Spain (2X), Italy (3X), Sweden, the West Indies & Venezuela, India, China and four trips to Russia. It was captured and confiscated by the British at the beginning of the War of 1812, while attempting to return from Archangel, Russia. The modern replica of the Friendship (pictured here) is owned and operated by Salem Maritime National Historic Site.