Cursed pirates sail these waters. You want to call them down on us?
Well, I have no idea if there were actually pirates here in Marblehead, but if I were a pirate (and I am actually considering it as a career move) I think the natural harbor and sheer amount of small boats moored here would act as the perfect cover for a little rum smuggling. Mental note to self- check if pirates still smuggle rum before embarking on new career. So, today saw an overcast and breezy (read chilly) day out to the North of Boston. Marblehead is famous for its contributions to the American Revolution and Civil War. It was Sailors from Marblehead who rowed Washington’s assault force across the Delaware River for his lucky attack on Trenton during the Revolution. I am still convinced that the only reason for Washington’s success in that battle was luck more than judgment, but that is nothing to do with the skill of the boatmen, who I am sure, where only following orders.
I have to say Marblehead is a small and quaint little town with very little in the way of tourism, although the fact is that it is now out of season, and if not for the dramatic rocky ledges overlooking the natural harbor it would have little other than being an affluent commuter town. As it stands though, the views do make it worth a visit and are quite amazing. The guide books do warn about limited parking and this was actually an issue, despite being grey and cloudy. One can still see the some of the remnants of the fortifications built by the British in 1644, and it was here that the USS Constitution was protected and defended in the War of 1812. Despite being seen mainly from a moving car, the houses, most with plaques honoring past sea captains and their endeavors lined the narrow, winding streets and made for an interesting, if short visit.
Marblehead is not surprising, very like Salem, the next stop along the northern shore. While Salem maybe better known for the witch trials and the Arthur Miller play, “The Crucible” it did in fact spend many years as a flourishing seaport, something which can be seen from the abandoned wharfs and the lines of sea captains homes, as echoed in Marblehead. At this time of the year, more than at any other, it is the Puritanical self-righteousness that is attracting the tourist attention as the town gears itself up for the spooky Halloween festivities… (I’m off to get my costume sorted out early this year!)
Well, I have no idea if there were actually pirates here in Marblehead, but if I were a pirate (and I am actually considering it as a career move) I think the natural harbor and sheer amount of small boats moored here would act as the perfect cover for a little rum smuggling. Mental note to self- check if pirates still smuggle rum before embarking on new career. So, today saw an overcast and breezy (read chilly) day out to the North of Boston. Marblehead is famous for its contributions to the American Revolution and Civil War. It was Sailors from Marblehead who rowed Washington’s assault force across the Delaware River for his lucky attack on Trenton during the Revolution. I am still convinced that the only reason for Washington’s success in that battle was luck more than judgment, but that is nothing to do with the skill of the boatmen, who I am sure, where only following orders.
I have to say Marblehead is a small and quaint little town with very little in the way of tourism, although the fact is that it is now out of season, and if not for the dramatic rocky ledges overlooking the natural harbor it would have little other than being an affluent commuter town. As it stands though, the views do make it worth a visit and are quite amazing. The guide books do warn about limited parking and this was actually an issue, despite being grey and cloudy. One can still see the some of the remnants of the fortifications built by the British in 1644, and it was here that the USS Constitution was protected and defended in the War of 1812. Despite being seen mainly from a moving car, the houses, most with plaques honoring past sea captains and their endeavors lined the narrow, winding streets and made for an interesting, if short visit.
Marblehead is not surprising, very like Salem, the next stop along the northern shore. While Salem maybe better known for the witch trials and the Arthur Miller play, “The Crucible” it did in fact spend many years as a flourishing seaport, something which can be seen from the abandoned wharfs and the lines of sea captains homes, as echoed in Marblehead. At this time of the year, more than at any other, it is the Puritanical self-righteousness that is attracting the tourist attention as the town gears itself up for the spooky Halloween festivities… (I’m off to get my costume sorted out early this year!)
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