Hingham Harbor

Marinas near Hingham Harbor

Introduction:

The Town of Hingham covers an area of 22.5 square miles and is approximately 15 miles south of Boston. The town's history is reflected in its many immaculately kept antique houses, including the "Old Ordinary" on Lincoln Street, which now houses the Hingham Historical Society Museum. Derby Academy, founded in 1784, is the oldest co-educational school in the country and Hingham's First Parish Old Ship Church is the oldest wooden structure in the country in continuous use as a place of worship. Hingham has created six historic districts which will help the town maintain its unique character in the future.

Hingham is proud of its location on the water, including 21 miles of shoreline and construction of a new harbor park further expands the public use of Hingham Harbor. The acquisition of the South Shore Country Club by the municipality provides additional recreation opportunities for residents while preserving the suburban character of this historic seaside community.

Primarily a residential community now, Hingham is connected to Boston by highway, bus, commuter boat and, in a few years, by the restored Greenbush commuter rail line. It has multiple recreation sites on fresh and saltwater and within parkland. Hingham today looks to the future with an eye to preserving its rich history, so evident in the remarkable architecture preserved in both public and private buildings, and in the protection of its open space.

[i]Information courtesy Town of Hingham[/i]

History:

Hingham's roots go back to the earliest days of European settlement in the new world. The first Europeans arrived in 1633, calling the area Bare Cove. Here they found the Massachusetts Indians, a tribal branch of the Algonquin Nation. Relations between the indigenous people and the settlers were friendly with the Native Americans providing food and teaching the settlers how to grow corn. The first significant European settlement was established in 1635 when the Rev. Peter Hobart arrived with his followers from Hingham, England. In that same year, they renamed the town, Hingham, and it was incorporated as the 12th town in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

In the 19th century, Hingham's fishing industry peaked with 65 fishing vessels and the fourth largest mackerel fleet in the country. It was such an important port that for 45 years there was a customs house marking Hingham as an official port of entry to the U.S. By the Civil War, the population had grown to 4000, 854 of whom served in the war.

[i]Information courtesy Town of Hingham[/i]

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart. 13270.

From the Atlantic Ocean, you will pick up quick flashing green whistle buoy "1" near Thieves Ledge, about two miles northeast of Point Allerton. From here, set a course for flashing green bell buoy "3," southeast of Boston Light, and then line up for the entrance channel, which starts with flashing red buoy "4" north of Point Allerton.

Follow the channel toward the band at Nantucket Roads into Hull Gut between Hull and Peddocks islands. Farther south at flashing green buoy "5," exit the channel toward the southeast and set a course for flashing green buoy "1" at Bumkin Island Shoal, followed by red and green nun "CF," flashing green bell buoy "3," red nun "4" and then flashing green buoy "HH," which marks the start of the final approach to HIngham Harbor.

The approach channel for HIngham Harbor is unlighted past flashing green buoy "HH," and as such, nighttime passage here should only be attempted with radar and GPS. Depths in the channel bottom out at around seven feet at Crow Point Flats. Farther in you will negotiate the winding channel past Ragged Sarah and Langlee islands, and then into the far south harbor at Hingham.

Local Notices to Mariners:

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

Transportation:

Most transportation in and out of the area is provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Once you connect to the main line of the MBTA bus line, you can tranfer at many points to get to Boston, Plymouth and even Provincetown.

When in Plymouth County, it is very easy to move about. The Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway has a longstanding tradition of service within the area, having buses that run throughout the County as well as down the Cape to Provincetown and up to Boston. The train also runs down from Boston’s South Station into the towns of Kingston, Plymouth, Halifax, Hanson, Whitman, and Abington, as well as others closer to the Boston area. To make your way around town, there are always taxis, as well as GATRA, a public transportation bussing service. There are also trolleys and carriage rides. If you’re looking to go down the Cape to Provincetown, take the express P-Town Ferry from the State Pier in Plymouth. Or, for a ferry ride to Plymouth’s Long Beach, head to the Town Wharf. There are also scenic train rides through the Cranberry Country of New England at Edaville USA.

Logan International airport is about 20 miles to the northwest of Hingham and the MBTA , as well as airport-run shuttle services can get you there to pick up crew or catch a departing flight. See the "Helpful Links" section below for more information on bus schedules and connecting transportation.

[i]Portions courtesy Plymouth County Convention and Visitors Bureau[/i]

Helpful Links:

Town of Hingham

Hingham Calendar of Events

Plymouth County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Transportation in Plymouth County

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority