Derby Wharf Light

by Joan Carroll

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Dimensions

18.000 x 12.000 inches

Title

Derby Wharf Light

Artist

Joan Carroll

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photograph

Description

Amidst the crowds in Salem looking for witch-themed location is the historic lighthouse of Derby Wharf, presently within the Salem National Maritime Historic Site. Even within the site, more people are interested in the tall ship Friendship than the small square white lighthouse at the end of the wharf. Maybe it's the half mile walk that deters visitors! Contrary to it's lonely existence today, Derby Wharf had a rich history. Derby Wharf was named for Richard Derby, Sr. who began construction of the wharf in 1762. However, the wharf didn't reach its current half-mile length until 1806. By the time he began work on the wharf, Richard Derby had at least thirteen vessels engaged in local and international trade, and his fleet steadily grew as he built other ships to serve as privateers during the American Revolution. Following the war, Elias Hasket Derby used part of his father's fleet to become one of New England's wealthiest merchants. During Salem's 'Great Age of Sail,' 'King Derby', as he came to be known, sent ships to China and India that returned with coveted silks, aromatic spices and other fine goods and made him America's first millionaire. It wasn't until 1870 that the federal government purchased the land to build the lighthouse on the wharf, and the range formed by the light of Derby Wharf and Fort Pickering Light when into operation in 1971.

FEATURED PHOTO, Lighthouses group, 8/27/14

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July 14th, 2013

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