Cormorant Rock (Essex County, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Cormorant Rock is a small island located near Children's Island, just off the coast of Marblehead Harbor. It's only about 300 feet away from the southeastern tip of Children's Island. Even though it's very close to Marblehead, Cormorant Rock is actually part of the city of Salem. In the past, it was known by other names like Cat Island Rock.
For many years, sailors and boat captains needed better ways to navigate safely around the waters near Marblehead and Salem. There were many rocks and islands that could be dangerous. People asked for special markers to be placed on these spots.
Helping Ships Find Their Way
In the early 1800s, people in Marblehead worked hard to get permission to put up markers on important rocks and islands. A local reverend named Williams Bentley wrote in his diary about these efforts. He mentioned that trees were even planted on some rocks to help ships see them better.
Finally, in 1807, the Massachusetts government passed a law. This law allowed the Marine Society of Marblehead to put up "monuments or land marks" on several islands and rocks. These included Ram Island, Tinker's Islands, Marblehead Rock, and Cat Island Rock (which is now Cormorant Rock).
The law also said that anyone who damaged these markers or took away earth, stones, or gravel from the islands would have to pay a fine. This showed how important these markers were for safe travel on the water.
According to an old sailing guide called the "American Coast Pilot," the Marblehead Marine Society put up a tall pole, or "spar," on Cat Island Rock. This spar was 40 feet high and had a large barrel on top. It was meant to be seen from far out at sea, helping ships know where they were.
On top of Cormorant Rock today, you can still see the year "1808" carved into the stone. This is likely the exact spot where the spar was placed. Even though the spar is no longer there, the engraving reminds us of its history as an important guide for sailors long ago.
