Repair Work On Salem's Derby Wharf Begins

SALEM, MA -- The Salem National Maritime Historic Site started repair work Monday on Derby Wharf, which has been closed after a storm on the first weekend in March damaged the iconic Salem structure and left it unsafe for visitors. There is no timetable for repairs, according to a Facebook post by Salem National Maritime Historic Site, but the wharf will be reopened incrementally as the wharf is repaired and as each section is deemed safe for pedestrians.

Metal rebar in the concrete and stone work was twisted and pulled loose in the March 2-3 storm. After a March 5 assessment, the wharf was closed indefinitely. Destination Salem, the city's tourism arm, said the storm created hazardous conditions that make it unsafe for the public to walk the length of the wharf to Derby Light.

Construction on Derby Wharf began in 1762 by one of Salem's earliest and wealthiest merchants, Richard Derby Sr. The wharf eventually reached its current length of half a mile to become Salem's longest wharf and at one point had 20 structures on it, according to the National park Service. Derby Light Station was added to the end of the wharf and first lit in 1871.

While not as bad as the January 4 storm in terms of storm surge, the rain and winds on March 2 followed by March 3's wind gusts left parts of Salem flooded. The storm knocked down trees and caused lengthy power outages throughout the northeast. Throughout the first weekend in March, multiple Salem streets were closed as crews worked to remove downed trees.

Derby Wharf was underwater during high tides throughout the storm. That flooding, as well as hurricane-strength wind gusts, caused damage on the wharf.

Subscribe to Salem Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.

Patch file photo.