The Briny Deep at Fort Sewall and Fort Beach

 

Fort Beach, Marblehead, MA
Photo by Dr. Mary F. Zawadzki

Hello everyone! Happy Monday! Boy, oh boy! Is it hot out there! Granted, it's not West Coast hot ... or Texas hot ... but, for us, it's pretty brutal. Ed and I have been beating the heat by swimming in the ice cold waters of Fort Beach. It's a rocky beach that is somewhat protected by a rock barrier and the harbor. The beach is frequented mostly by locals. During high tide the entire beach is under water, making it perfect for open water laps and serious swimming. During low tide, it's wonderful for families with small children or for searching for ocean critters like crabs and starfish. Its rocky barrier makes it manageable for inexperienced swimmers. You just need to get into the water first .... brrrrr .....

The ebb and flow of the tide at Fort Beach.
Photo by Dr. Mary F. Zawadzki

I've featured photos of this beach on my Instagram and various blogs throughout the years. It's one of our favorite spots in Marblehead and one that holds very special meaning for us. 

Plaque honoring General Casimir Pulaski, Fort Sewall, Marblehead
Photo by Dr. Mary F. Zawadzki

The beach flanks Fort Sewall. The fort was stablished in 1644 as "a defensive breastwork on Gale's Head" (Fort Sewall: Essex National Heritage Area) and was expanded twice throughout the 18th century. Fort Sewall was named after Chief Justice Samuel Sewall in 1814. For more than 150 years, the fort provided the community of Marblehead and the surrounding areas with protection from invasion and attack.

On July 23, 1777, General Casimir Pulaski landed at Fort Sewall. Upon arrival, Pulaski wrote to George Washington, "I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it." As a Polish-American, General Pulaski holds a very special place in my heart. Fort Sewall's cannons also provided protection to the USS Constitution as it fled from two British frigates on April 3, 1814 during the War of 1812.  

Fort Sewall Stockade, Marblehead, MA
Photo by Fletcher 6, 5/1/2010

Much of the fort and underground bunkers are still there, but aren't open to the public. I am happy to report that the site is getting the well-needed love that it deserves. The upper walkway is open to the public, but the area around the fort is closed for restoration. 

Kitchen room inside the fort, Fort Sewall, Marblehead, MA
Image Source: Salem Evening News, 11/14/2014

The plans for the restoration includes a summer Park Intern who will oversee the site, answer questions, and lead tours. The part of the plan that I'm most excited for is that the project organizers plan to open the inside areas of the fort to the public, at least for guided tours. I can't wait to see what the renovated site looks like!!!

These days the fort and its elevation is used by site-seers, historical reenactors, dog walkers, and marriage proposers looking for a romantic spot to pop the question. Ok, the last one was Ed and me. Ed proposed to me at Fort Sewall under a most glorious full moon the weekend before Halloween in 1999. The fort and beach will always have a deep connection to our relationship, making our afternoon swims even more special.

Works Cited:

Bode, Kelsey. "Committee Launches $1.1M Campaign to Restore Fort Sewall," Salem Evening News, 14 November, 2014, https://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/committee-launches-1-1m-campaign-to-restore-fort-sewall/article_acfccf6d-9b27-5df1-9f73-42200ba2c0f5.html

"Fort Sewall." Essex National Heritage Area, https://essexheritage.org/attractions/fort-sewall

Glover's Marblehead Regiment, http://gloversregiment.org/?fbclid=IwAR0J4jvpShz1w4NgDfWkHhc-fhHZU5cJ9ALKKMaRTdIrjXGCNLruH46K5U8.