Wickford - July 28, 2022

The Castle (c. 1678)

We had a mixed forecast this morning, so I wanted to go someplace sheltered from the waves. I decided to head to Wilson Park to paddle the protected waters of Wickford Harbor.

Wickford was established in the early 17th century when Roger Williams purchased land from the Narragansett Indians and established a trading post. In 1637, Williams sold the land to Richard Smith who constructed a large fortified house on the site, giving the house its nickname the “Castle”. That house was burned during King Philip's War, and the structure that can be seen from the put-in today was built in 1678.

Sailboats in Wickford Harbor

Wickford grew to become a major port and shipbuilding center, and today contains a large collection of 17th and 18th century homes. It is a picturesque village whose streets are lined with shops and restaurants, and whose harbor is filled with sailboats and yachts.

While the backwaters around Rabbit Island and Cornelius Island looked interesting, I headed out into Wickford Harbor. I paddled out past the breakwater into the calm waters of Narragansett Bay – go figure. The cloudy skies resulted in some interesting pictures.

Flatwater in Narragansett Bay

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