Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-15
Renders Valuable Assistance TO
SChOOnerS in ROCkland
Harbor,
Which are HelpleSsly Borne to Sea by
the Massive Fields Of Drifting
Ice.
A Record Unsurpassed in the Relief of
the Shipwrecked and Endangered
Vessels and Sailors
RocKLAND, Feb. IA.

hbt hiANDs Fcb. IL.
The ice which has closed up the harbors in
this section since February st, started today
In this harbor its departure was the cause of
much excitement. 1t started here about
noon going out with the wind. An immense
field of ice occupying space from Owls
Head to Tillsons wharf, II to ls inches
thick started in sheet and swung out in a
body, taking all of the fleet of vessels in
winter quarters here, that lay in its wake
Schooners A. J. Rentley and Helen Mon
tague were dragged to dangerous position
near the breakwater, and schooner Adde f.
Snow was taken out over the Middle ground
two miles to sea, before she could he reached
Revenue Cutter Woodbury., Capt. A. A.
Fengar, was fortunately in the harbor and
A. J. Bentley and Montage first, and putting
her powerful nose into the sheet canted it
clear of them. She then rescued the schoon-
er Ann Eliza which met the outgoing ice as
she entered the harDor. BY this time schoon-
er Addie Snow was two miles to sea in the
centre of many acres of solid blue ice, which
frequent rains aud cold weather had made
nearly as hard as fresh water ice. SO hard
was the ice that the Woodbury. would break
of several lengths, and although a very pow
erful boat at full speed she could only cut
into the sheet about 10 feet Hard and per-
sistent work however finally freed the inn
perilled schooner and towed her back to her
moorings. Capt Fengar and his crew acted
with their usual promptness and succeeded
in avertng what seemed serious disasters to
the vessels.
Yesterday morning the Woodbury. made
out boat flying signal of distress, two
miles outside of Munroe's island, which was
crew of the schooner Oracle Young, Capt.
j. W whitman, bound to Rockland from
the Banks, with twenty thousand pounds of
fresh haibut
The men stated that the schooner lay in a
very dangerous position and that they had
started from the vessel ut two o'clock that
morning for help. The cutter steamed at
once to the relief of the vessel and found
her just inside Fisherman's island, surround
ed by rocks and close onto bad breakers, and
so situated that the least change of wind
meant a total wreck. The vessel had her
main boom and windlass broken and was
helpless. The cutter ran up as close as she
dared and put out hawser and towed her to
this port.
The Woodbury. has had wonderful rec
ord since her winter cruise began Dec. 10th.
In that time she has assisted ! vessels, saw
ing many of them from total loss, and has
given information to numberless craft con-
ceruing the condition of harbors and thor
oughfares. She has also rescued two crews.
Her work in the harbors of this vicinity has
also been of incalculable value, keeping the
channels open so that steamers and vessels
could arrive aud depart This has been the
case notably with Rockland, Rockport and
Camden harbors. and the people of this
locality very highly appreciate Capt. Fengar $
interchangeable efforts to make communication
hy water possible. During the cutters work
in the ice her metal has been stripped OF her
and it has been necessary to give her iron
sheathing. Capt Fengar thinks the ice has
gone for good. The cutter leaves tomorrow
for Portland to coal up. Cutter Dallas, Capt.
Barr. arrived tonight with schooner Medora
in tow. Ice was met in the bay and the cut
ter had its ice breaker badly smashed. 1t is
now being repaired. The Dallas reports
very busy times. On her last cruise she as
sisted seven vessels