Salem, Massachusetts is best known, historically, for its witch trials. What is less known about the village, and
what is of far more importance, is the impact that the sea
had upon the village. There was a confluence of events that
made Salem a natural seaport. First, and most important was
fair and natural leeward harbor. Second was a close
proximity to Boston, which had a burgeoning sea economy of
its own. Third was land that was rich in timber providing
the lumber for ship building. Fourth was a strong merchant
base, since the town attracted and nurtured mercantile
families such as the Peabody's, the Perkins, the
Crowinshields and the Cabots (Albion, 1978).
The reasons for the Salem-China nexis are not as clear
cut. This paper will examine some of those reasons. This
will divide the paper into the following sections: Early
Salem; Early Ships; The Canton connection; The moon and
Salem was found in of 1626 as the village of Naumkeag by
Roger Conant, who was scouting for areas away from Boston
where he could earn his fortune. Because the terrain was
even worse the Boston, Conant realized that
the safe harbor of Salem could lead to favorable fishing
and perhaps even trade. The first docks were built in
Salem in the 1670s but no commercial trade of any sort
followed, partially b cause of the unfavorable rumors of
However, the passage of the Navigation Acts of 1660
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= 1926
= 8 (250 words per page)
