Building wooden ships

Shipwright Harold A Burnham comes from a family who have been building wooden boats in Essex MA for several generations. In 1668 the Town of Ipswich granted land to the inhabitants of Ipswich “for a yard to build vessels and to employ workmen for that end.” The shipbuilding industry has continued uninterruptedly in Essex, a former parish of Ipswich, since that date.

This video was produced by Blake Road Productions LLC for the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from NEA Folk and Traditional Arts. View additional credits at the end of the 9 minute video. View or share this 9 minute video on Facebook.

Building wooden ships - Shipwright Harold A Burnham comes from a family who have been building wooden boats in Essex MA for several generations. Produced by Blake Road Productions LLC for the Massachusetts Cultural Council.… Continue reading

Legendary ships of Salem - From the year of its settlement in 1628 until the middle of the 19th century, Salem, in the Massachusetts Bay, was a maritime port surpassed in size and importance by only two or three other seaports along the Atlantic coast.… Continue reading

Building a ship in Essex - By the early 1840s, Essex no longer had its own fishing fleet, but had turned to year-round shipbuilding fostering a symbiotic relationship with the successful fishermen in Gloucester… Continue reading