Friendship's Return To Salem 'Imminent'

SALEM, MA — Officials from the Salem Maritime National Historic Site said Wednesday the Friendship of Salem could be back on Derby Wharf within a week and a nearly-three year absence. The ship was returned to the water in Gloucester around 9 a.m. Thursday. It was the first time since the Friendship had been in the water since it was put in dry dock in July 2016 for a haul out.

A haul out is when a ship is taken out of water for inspections, repairs and repainting. The Friendship's haul out started on July 5, 2016 and was performed by Boothbay Harbor Shipyard and Gloucester Marine Railways Corporation on Rocky Neck in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Built in 1996, the Friendship is a replica of the Salem East Indiaman Friendship that was launched in 1797 and a popular Salem tourist attraction. The original Friendship made 15 voyages during her career to Batavia, India, China, South America, the Caribbean, England, Germany, the Mediterranean, and Russia. The British Sloop of War HMS Rosamond captured the Friendship as a prize of war in September 1812, ending her tenure as an American merchant vessel.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).