Marblehead was once the fishing capital of Massachusetts. In 1837 our powerful fishing fleet consisted of 98 vessels, but on Sept. 19, 1846, a storm known as "The Great Gale" caught the Marbleheaders by surprise at sea and at least 11 vessels, plus 65 of the town's men and boys, were lost, marking the beginning of the decline of Marblehead's fishing industry.
Military History
By virtue of being a Marbleheader, every child in town is part of a long and storied nautical tradition.
Marblehead has long been engaged in a good-natured feud with Beverly about which town is the official birthplace of the American Navy. Marblehead is also the origin of Marine Corps aviation, and three US Navy ships have been named USS Marblehead. On the evening of December 25, 1776, Marblehead's Glover’s Regiment rowed General George Washington across the treacherous Delaware River to surprise the English and Hessian troops in the Battle of Trenton.
Yachting
Marblehead also boasts 150 years of yachting history. The 94-foot sloop Puritan, out of the Eastern Yacht Club, successfully defended the America’s Cup in 1885 against challenger Genesta of the British Royal Yacht Squadron... followed in two successive years by Mayflower's win in 1886 and Volunteer's in 1887. Famed shipbuilders hailing from Marblehead include Edward and Starling Burgess, Nathanael and L. Francis Herreshoff, Ray Hunt and Ted Hood. Hood, a yacht designer and sail maker, was also the winning skipper of the 1974 America's Cup aboard the 12 Meter Courageous, and was elected to the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 1993.
Present-Day Regattas
Each summer Marblehead hosts regattas large and small, from the weekly racing circuits to major ocean races (like the Marblehead to Halifax race) and nostalgic events such as the Corinthian Classic Yachts Regatta.
Famous Marblehead Sailors
In recent years, Marblehead has boasted many winning sailors. Dave Curtis lives here and is a 7-time Etchells Worlds champion. Jud Smith, another 'Header, is a two-time winner of the Rolex Yachtsmen of the year and a 10-time World Champion in multiple classes. Dru Slattery is internationally ranked in women's sailing, and Rich Wilson (aboard Great American II and III) has set several extraordinary records in ocean racing.