Darby Wharf, Salem, MA
by Andy Hagerty
Salem Massachusetts is a sea port. In about 1762 the colony's first millionaire merchant named Elias Hasket Darby started construction on the wharf that today bears his
Darby Wharf, Salem, MA
by Andy Hagerty
Salem Massachusetts is a sea port. In about 1762 the colony's first millionaire merchant named Elias Hasket Darby started construction on the wharf that today bears his name. This seaport was one of the premier ports of the fledgling United States, especially as Boston was blockaded by the British throughout the war of independence. This wealth continued after the war and in 1806 the wharf was extended to it's current one mile length.
Of course seaports and wharf's means ships from around the world and their sailors. A common type of sailor from these days were state sanctioned pirates called privateers. There are smugglers and rouges of all descriptions passing through seaports. Rumors hold that a series of smuggler tunnels were built from the wharf area to local basements, to avoid custom duties among other less savory reasons.
Visitors often claim to see sailors and men from other time periods about the wharf. These phantoms are believed to be more of a residual variety, as are the sounds of footsteps when no on is around. There is a prevalence for cold spots near the lighthouse at the end of the wharf. A woman claimed to have been tapped on the shoulder by what appeared to be an 1800's fisherman. When she turned to get a good look at him, he vanished.
Another interesting possibility is tied to events on M