For many decades before permanent European settlements, the rich fishing grounds off New England were well known. In 1602, English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold gave the name “Cape Cod” to the Massachusetts peninsula because of the large quantity of cod his crew caught there.

Fishermen from several European countries came regularly to these waters. Some lived seasonally on islands off the New England coast. Fish were typically caught and then either dried or heavily salted to preserve them for the voyage back to Europe, where they were sold.

Fishermen often used a boat called a shallop. A shallop typically had a mast with two sails and also oars. It was about 30 feet long, 8 feet wide, and could carry around 15 men. Shallops were workboats for coastal waters, drew less than 2 feet of water, and could carry heavy cargoes in shallow areas.

A bark (also spelled “barc” or “barque”) was a more robust ship. A bark generally had three or more masts with multiple sails and could carry cargo on long voyages. They ranged in size from about 70 feet long and 10 feet wide to 160 feet long. On average, they could carry around 250 tons of cargo, with the largest vessels carrying up to 500 tons.

Fishermen frequently traded with Native Americans. Items commonly offered by Europeans included:

• Metal tools and utensils: Highly valued iron tools greatly improved efficiency in daily tasks and hunting. These included knives, axes, awls, kettles, and cooking pots.
• Cloth and textiles: Woven wool, linen, and cotton fabrics—lighter and quicker-drying than animal hides—were very popular. Wool blankets, often marked to indicate their value in beaver pelts, were especially prized.
• Weapons and ammunition: Firearms, gunpowder, and shot were traded. Muskets were sometimes customized with longer barrels and could be exchanged for a stack of beaver pelts equal to the gun’s height.
• Decorative items: Glass beads, metal bells, rings, and other ornaments were incorporated into Native American clothing and crafts.
• Alcohol: Liquor, particularly rum, was also traded and had a devastating impact on many Native communities.

In return, Native Americans traded a wide range of resources and knowledge, including:

• Furs and animal pelts: European demand for furs—especially beaver pelts used to make fashionable felt hats—was enormous. Other traded furs included otter, bear, deer, fox, and muskrat.
• Food and resources: Native Americans provided Europeans with food, fresh water, and other supplies vital to survival in an unfamiliar environment. Coastal tribes often exchanged fish and other resources with inland groups.
• Local knowledge: Indigenous peoples shared extensive knowledge of the land, hunting, and agriculture, which was crucial for the survival of early colonists. For example, the Wampanoag taught the Plymouth colonists how to cultivate the land and grow corn.