by the unrivalled attractions of beauty and sublimity which the 

 ocean here presents. 



Off the head of the Cape, and quite near the shore, lie three 

 islands worthy of mention on account of some historical note ; for 

 they are the same islands, fronting "the fair headland Tragabig- 

 zanda," named the Three Turks' Heads by Capt. John Smith, in 

 1614. They are now known by other names, one of which, Thach- 

 er, perpetuates the memory of the first and most distressing ship- 

 wreck that ever happened on the Cape, by which, in August, 1635, 

 about twenty persons, men, women and children, lost their lives at 

 that island, upon which Mr. Anthony Thacher and his wife were 

 thrown alive by the sea, and were the only survivors. 



The first occupation of Cape Ann by people of the English race 

 was in 1623, when a fishing vessel, sent by a company in England 

 with a view to the establishment of a settlement somewhere on the 

 coast, not being able to complete her lading at the usual fishing 

 grounds on the coast of Maine, " the master thought good to pass 

 into Mattachusetts Bay, to try whether that would yield him any." 

 Here he succeeded ; and, having completed his cargo, proceeded 

 with the same to Spain ; having left fourteen men " in the country 

 at Cape Anne," for the purpose, without doubt, of beginning the 

 work of the plantation projected by the English company. History 

 refuses to gratify us with any further information concerning these 

 men, but we know that, besides the pilgrims at Plymouth, the only 

 other persons of European parentage they could then find within the 

 present limits of Massachusetts were a few persons at Nantasket 

 and a few others at Wej-mouth. 



Early in the next year (1624) the same ship, commanded by the 

 same master, and accompanied by another vessel of one hundred and 

 forty tons, came again to Cape Ann, and, after an unsuccessful sea- 

 son's fishing, returned to England, leaving now thirtj'-two men to 

 remain at the plantation. Not discouraged by the ill success of this 

 year the adventurers in England continued their efforts to establish 

 a permanent colony on the shores of Cape Ann, and sent, in the 

 next 3*ear, three vessels, one of which, of about forty tons, brought 

 out " kine and other provisions." They also appointed a competent 

 man, Roger Conant, to be its governor ; but from various causes 

 their enterprise came to an end this year and the plantation was 

 broken up. Mr. Conant, with some of his companions, removed a 

 few miles further west to Naumkeag, now Salem, where, soon after, 

 " a new colony upon the old foundation," was established, which, in 



