There are 4,724 names of different articles on the catalogue : they are kept in a spacious hall built for that purpose, and belong to the East In- dia Marine society. This society consists of such only as have actu- ally navigated the seas near the Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn, as master or factor, in 1823, there were 160 of these enterprising men living in Salem. The hall is. open daily for the reception of visitors,and vast numbers of strangers throng there. All come with an eager and excited curiosity, and leave with that curiosity at least gratified, if not satisfied.
The commerce of Salem is very extended. There is hardly any part of the world which her ships have not visited. The number of ves- sels, engaged in foreign commerce, is 100 or more, and 1*8 in the whal- ing business, beside the vessels em- ployed in the coasting trade and fish- ery. Tonnage of the district in 1837, 32,800 tons.
Many of the wharves,bear the names of their builders and owners: as the Allen, Derby, Peabody, For- ester and Phillips’ wharf. This last wras recently re-built by Stephen C. Phillips, on the ruins of the old Crowninshield wharf, which had become dilapidated and useless. It is an admirable piece of work.
Although 'Salem is without any important water power, and has ev- er been almost exclusively devoted to maritime pursuits, yet its manu- facturing interests are by no means small. During the year ending April 1, 1837, the value of its man- ufactures amounted to $1,471,SS9. They consisted of vessels, cordage, leather, boots, shoes, hats, tin and cabinet wares,chairs, spirits ; white, sheet and pipe lead, carriages, straw bonnets, sperm candles, tobacco, alum, saltpetre refined, aquafortis, muriatic acid,oil of vitriol, &c. The value of its whale, cod and mack- erel fisheries, the same year, amounted to $210,843. |
The Aqueduct furnishes the city with a constant supply of fresh and soft spring water.
The fire department is under good regulations. Some of the societies in the city are*the “ East India Ma- rine society,” incorporated in 1801; the “ E. I. M. Hall Corporation,”-in 1824; the “ Salem Charitable Me- chanic Association,” instituted in 1817, and incorporated, in 1822; the “ Essex Historical Society,” in 1821, and the “ Salem Lyceum,” which was formed in 1830
The Common was reserved “ as a training field for the use of Sa- lem,” in 1713. It is abeautiful, lev- el spot of ground, surrounded by a double row of elm and other orna- mental trees, and is designed to have a gravel yralk around it. The alms house formerly stood upon it, but it is now entirely unencumber- ed.
The City Hall was built in 1837. It has a beautiful granite front, and Is handsomely finished and furnish- ed within.
The Rail-Road from Salem to Boston, was opened for travel, Au- gust 28,1838 ; thus making Salem, as it were, a part of Boston. The first stage between these cities was run by Ezra Burrill, in 17S2. It went to Boston one day and return- ed to Salem the next. Now the dis- tance can be easily passed over in 50 minutes; and at the same time, the traveller will ride rapidly through abeautiful and picturesque country. See Register.
Among the distinguished men, in almost every profession, which Sa- lem claims as among its sons, the name of Nathaniel Bowditch, LL. D.,F. R. S., author of the Prac- tical Navigator, is identified with its fame and nautical achievements.
Dr. Bowditch was born at Salem, March 26, 1773. He was taken from school at the age of 10 years and placed as an apprentice to a ship chandler. At the age of 22 |