The Portland daily press., 1883-03-17
Pilots and Stevedores.
The Humors and Adventures of Their
Business.
INF. Desert Herald.l

Mt Desert Herald.
Cape Elizabeth, not unlike many other
projections of the New England coast, ter
inmates in broad and bold promontory.
The end Of the cape presents a straight coast
line about three-fourths of mile long, run
ming northeast and southwest; the western
headland of which is called Dyer's Head
and the eastern one, for very obvious reasons,
is designated as Lighthouse Hill. From any
part of this height the ocean view is SUI
perb one, especially in stormy weather.
when the Gordon of reefs and shoals that
make it hazardous for shipping to approach
the cape, add grandeur to the scene by their
mad contests with the surging main. In
keeping with the natural fitness of things,
the highest part of the headland is sur
mounted by the celebrated lighthouses
twin giants-that rear their lofty heads one
hundred and fifty feet above the sea level.
Within stones toss Of the eastern light,
and at the most eastern extremity of the
height of land named, with only low rocky
spur intervening between it and the open
Atlantic, nestles little basin-like linden
ture known for the past half-century as
Lighthouse Cove. The contour of the shore
at this point is such that the cove is not dis
tinguishable to passing vessels. Yet it has
sufficient depth and capacity to afford safe
entrance and anchorage for either of the
several Government steamers that from
time to time bring supplies for the light sta
ton.
To the initiated, the little haven is easy
and safe of egress and ingress at all times,
save in easterly storms when, not only is its
entrance barred by continuous breakers, but
the entire body of water within the cove, is
agitated to seething foam from top to bot
tom by the surging undertow of the contig-
nous ocean. At such times it seems incred-
ible that steamer of upward of two hun
dred tons burden has many times lain safely
moored therein, or that the boats of the har-
dy cape fishermen frequently seek shelter in
the now boiling caldron, or that it is the ia
v0rite retreat and rendezvous of the Port
land pilots and stevedores in pursuit of
their hazardous though fascinating Voca-
ton.
1t is this latter class of men, and their pc
cuhar business, that designed making the
subject of this sketch, and have thought
proper to introduce in this circuitous man
ner
In times past The exclusive business of pi-
loting was remuneratiye one to consider
able number of our men at our more impor-
tant seaports; but the later practice of tug
boats going out 10 sea to intercept inward
bound vessels and thus supplying both pilot
age and steam power, has had the effect, ex-
cept at these ports where pilotage is COM
pulsory, of inducing these men to combine
with their chosen calling that of stevedore
and wrecker.
Such is particularly the case at this port,
(Portland), where neither the "branch'' nor
compulsory system has ever obtained. The
loss of the English mail steamship Bohemi-
an, Feb %, 1885, within mile OF this spot,
together with her valuable cargo OF mer-
chandise which for weeks bestrewed the
shores Of the cape, proved rich bonanza to
many backwoods denizens, as well as long
shore folks and stevedores.
But to pursue my theme more closely:
The landing place, at the head of the cove,
is gently sloping, single beach and affords
a line chance for hauling out the trim little
boats employed in the business. These boats
are all clinker-built, aud are all of the IA
nous Whitehall model, and one needs to be