FRIENDSHIP OF SALEM Temporary Move to Shipyard

News Release Date:
November 1, 2024

Contact:Andrew Donovan

SALEM, MA - Friendship of Salem, the replica tall ship at Salem Maritime National Historic Site, is entering the final stage of a major repair project that began in the winter of 2022. The remaining repairs will be completed at Gloucester Marine Railway, a shipyard in Gloucester, MA over the next eight months. The ship is expected to depart Salem around high tide on November 13 at approximately 7:30 am.

While Friendship of Salem is able to travel to the shipyard under its own power, the ship will be towed to the shipyard so that the cover can remain on the vessel to protect work that has already been completed as part of this multi-year project. Once final repairs have been completed, the ship will return to Derby Wharf and the process of installing masts and rigging will begin.

The ongoing comprehensive repair project includes replacing the ship's deck, and portions of the stern, rails, and associated framing. In addition, critical structural repairs to the bow will be performed at the shipyard. The project is funded with entrance fee dollars collected at America's National Parks under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) 20% Program.

"This has been a very ambitious project," Superintendent Jennifer Hardin said. "We are proud to have been able to offer visitors the ability to board the ship and see the project in progress over the last two years. Completing these repairs and returning Friendship of Salem to full operation is an exciting step forward in providing the public with an engaging look into America's maritime past."

In anticipation of the ship's temporary move, Salem Maritime National Historic Site invites the public to an Open House at Friendship of Salem (Derby Wharf) on Wednesday, November 6 from 6 pm to 8 pm to view the ongoing repair work before the ship departs for Gloucester. The restored Custom House (178 Derby Street) will also be open to the community during this time.

The tall ship Friendship of Salem was designed and built as a replica of an original 1797 Salem-built vessel. The keel was laid in Scarano Shipyard in Albany, New York in 1996 and uses modern technology and materials to meet today's safety and accessibility requirements.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 431 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.

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