The town of Warren is situated upon the east bank of the Warren River, an arm of Narraganset Bay. Bristol, RI, stretches up to its southern limits, while its entire western edge is washed by the Warren River, which affords a safe harbor. Warren occupies an area of 6.5 square miles, and has a population of 11,000, a figure that is constantly increasing.

Lying almost midway between the two large cities of Fall River, MA., and Providence, RI, it is in close touch with the outside world, and easily able to keep in line with the onward march of modern progress. There are eight marine facilities in the Warren River area, and at least three of them accommodate transients at their docks. Most of the other yards specialize in repairs, but if you run out of luck trying to find a slip, you may be able to find a slip at one of the repair yards.

The aboriginal name of the peninsula upon which Warren and Bristol are located was Pokanoket, and on the site of Warren stood the Indian village of Sowams, the headquarters of the famous Wampanoag Sachem Massasoit, the friends and ally of the Pilgrims. In 1621, Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins journeyed through the wilderness from Plymouth to Sowams, their visit being, probably, the second ever paid by Europeans to Rhode Island, the first having been made by Verazzano and his companions nearly a century before.

At a very early date the inhabitants of Warren began to engage in maritime pursuits. In 1760 the town was well known as a whaling port. Ship building was carried on to a considerable extent. The breaking out of the Revolution seriously affected Warren's commercial prosperity. The town suffered much during this war. On May 25, 1778, it was raided by a body of British and Hessian troops, the Baptist meeting house was burned, the powder magazine blown up, dwellings ransacked, property ruthlessly destroyed, and women and children terrified. A number of boats collected for use in an expedition against the enemy, were also burned, and several citizens taken prisoners. From the blow inflicted by this invasion, Warren did not recover for a long time.

Within ten years after the close of the Revolution, however, commerce revived, and ship building became an important industry. For more than half a century Warren was famous for the fine vessels launched from its yards. These vessels largely commanded by Warren men and manned by Warren crews, engaged in whaling, merchant service, coasting, and the West India trade.

Portions Courtesy Town of Warren

Use NOAA Chart 13221.

From Rumstick Neck Reach, exit the channel at quick flashing red bell “10,” and then set a course for flashing green buoy “1” south of Rumstick Neck at the entrance to the Warren River. From flashing green buoy “1,” set a course for, and then follow in green can “3,” green can “5,” red nun “6,”red nun “8,” green can “9,” red nun “10,” and then flashing green “11,” which is set on top of Allen Rock (visible in the image above).

From Allen Rock, there is a line of red nun and green can buoy al the way up the river to the twin bridges at Tyler Point. All of the marine facilities are located on the east side of the river below the bridges. Of the eight marinas here, three of them specifically accept transients and the other facilities have repair services on site. There are anchorage areas scattered along the length of the river if you prefer to drop the hook for the evening.

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Town of Warren