Friendship of Salem is part of the National Park Service’s larger exhibit area at Salem Maritime National Historic Site. Friendship is a newly constructed ship based upon an East Indiaman built by Enos Briggs in Salem in 1797. The original Friendship was constructed in Briggs’ shipyard across the South River, near the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. The three-masted square-rigged 342-ton vessel was registered to merchants Jerathmiel Pierce and Aaron Wite of Salem. Friendship made 15 voyages around the world, trading for pepper, exotic spices, sugar, coffee and other goods. She was captured by the British during the War of 1812 and was condemned and sold. The new Friendship is handicap accessible and meets modern safety requirements but retains the appearance of the late 18th century vessel.
For the most complete and up to date information on Salem Maritime hours of operation or changes to tour times go to: www.nps.gov/sama or call; 978-740-1660.
Friendship is open to the public from 9 to 5 in July and August; the rest of the year she is available by tour only. It's always a good idea to call the Orientation Center at Salem Maritime, 978-740-1660, to confirm the tour schedule.
Yes, she is a fully operational sailing vessel. At this time, only NPS staff and her volunteer crew sail her. U.S. Coast Guard requires full certification before taking passengers. This requirement has to date, not been met.
While at sea, the majority of Friendship’s crew are volunteers. Friendship’s volunteer crew is responsible for a variety of maintenance and repair items on the ship throughout the year as well as for ongoing development and fabrication of ship support items. Friendship crew members are also heavily engaged in sail training and providing interpretive programs dockside in Salem and while visiting other ports. A variety of other volunteer opportunities are available at Salem Maritime National Historic Site. In addition to our Friendship volunteer crew, details in the National Park Service Visitor Center, administrative offices and period garden are also available.
For further information about the National Park Service, Salem Maritime and Friendship of Salem Volunteer Program, please call: 978-740-1694.
Through an exclusive arrangement between the National Park Service and the Salem Partnership, we are pleased to offer the use of one of Salem’s most unique and imaginative venues Friendship of Salem, for your corporate or social special event.
The location of Friendship within the setting of Salem Maritime National Historic Site and the historic wharves of Salem provides a unique opportunity for a variety of corporate and social functions to be held in an unusual and creative way. Your evening event on board Friendship, combined with several approved catering firms and the addition of musicians playing on deck, will easily transform into a unique, one of a kind venue. All events will be held dockside on board Friendship and the adjacent wharf. Guests will have access to all public areas of the ship.
Capacity: Seated dinner on board the main deck: seating for 35 maximum.
Cocktail party with appetizers/finger food: 100 people maximum.
Hours: No earlier than 5:30 p.m. Not later than 9:30 p.m.
*Special arrangements may be considered for early morning business events – 7-9 a.m.
Fee: Monday through Friday evening events - $1500 for four hours;
Saturday and Sunday evening events - $1800 for four hours
Please note: Friendship must be rented for a minimum of two hours
Food: A list of local caterer’s that meets the Salem Partnership and National Park Service criteria is available. Catering firms other than those listed must be approved in advance. All caterers must have up to date liability insurance, all applicable licensing, and must sign a National Park Service, Special Use permit. Open flame is not permitted on any part of the ship and all prepared food products being served are limited to the main/top deck area of the ship. There are no kitchen/galley facilities available. Service that may include on-site cooking will be restricted to the adjacent wharf. Selling of food on site is not allowed.
Alcohol: Alcohol served on the wharf and on board Friendship is restricted to beer and wine only. Bar set-up is preferred off the ship and will be considered for on ship setup on an individual event basis. State and local licensing requirements apply for all staff. Selling of alcohol on site is strictly prohibited.
Set Up: There are a limited number of portable banquet tables and chairs available for use. We recommend that the caterer provide these items along with any tents that may be required. Trash removal from the site is required.
Restroom facilities are available on National Park Service property at Central Wharf. There are no facilities on board Friendship. All events are to be arranged for after hours. By prior arrangement, set up may begin on the dock prior to the park closing at 5 p.m.
All after hours uses of Friendship require at least two NPS
staff to be on site. Depending on numbers of guests and whether alcohol
is being served this number may increase and thus may increase the fee.
Ship set up and reset of exhibits, etc., also requires staff time. Fees
listed include the cost of two staff members.
The use of Friendship in combination with other local
educational, cultural and commercial events is greatly encouraged.
Friendship is available for a variety of functions, however, the Salem
Partnership and the National Park Service reserve the right to limit
special uses of Friendship to those types of events that best
represent and enhance the mission of the National Park Service and
reflect the educational intent of the ship.
All events require a Special Use Permit along with associated fees issued by the National Park Service.
For further information, other options such as a harbor cruise on Fame and reception on Friendship or to make arrangements for the use of Friendship, please feel free to contact Patricia Zaido, Executive Director of The Salem Partnership, at 978-741-8100 or pzaido@salempartnership.org. or colleen_bruce@nps.gov
© 2006 The Salem Partnership
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