Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and picturesque harbors both large and small, Marblehead has relied on the changing tides for its livelihood since the town's founding in 1629. It served first as the departure point for schooners that sailed on local and far-flung fishing voyages,
then as a flourishing seaport in the 18th century. Since the
Civil War it has been a safe haven for yachting enthusiasts and tourists who are lured by its many charms.
The harbor had been a working port for over two centuries when a sudden storm off Newfoundland's Grand
Banks in 1846 destroyed half of the town's fishing fleet.
Many of Marblehead's inhabitants became involved in the burgeoning shoe industry to carry them over while the fisheries struggled to recover, but never did. By the turn of the 20th century, the town had become an important yachting center. In this much anticipated sequel, these and other waterfront-related aspects of Marblehead's history are chronicled in six intriguing chapters with over 200
photographs and postcards.
