Friendship, a full size replica of a Salem East Indiaman, built for the National Park Service and berthed at Salem Maritime National Historic Site in Salem, Massachusetts, was launched in August 1998.  Although she represents a specific vessel built in Salem 1797, she is typical of a class of commercial carriers commonly employed in both the East India and transatlantic trades during the early years of the new American republic.  Her historic predecessor is credited with 15 voyages to the Far East, South America, Mediterranean, and northern Europe.  She had the misfortune of being taken as a prize of war by the British Royal Navy on a return voyage from Archangel, Russia, in 1812.  Sold by the British government in 1813, her ultimate fate remains a mystery.  Today’s Friendship is built from wood laminates and solid timbers and was designed as a passenger carrying and sail training vessel while exhibiting the look and function of an historic vessel.  

Flag: USA
Rig: Full-rigged ship
Class: A
Homeport: Salem, Massachusetts
Normal Cruising Waters: Massachusetts Bay, Buzzards Bay
Sparred Length: 171'
Draft: 11'3"
Sail Area: 9,409 square feet
Hull: wood