Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-02-27
THE MAINE COAST.

An Interesting sketch written by
Those RegiOns-valuable Hints for
Tourists. "a
To the Editor OF the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
The following sketch, bright in artistic
description of the Maine coast, has been
interest by many
Although much is known to many about
the sea coast of Maine, and every general
reader has some good idea thereof, when
we come to particulars people see accord
ing to their education, tastes, studies and
mental habits. The geologist goes to look
in his line; the artists, the health or pleas
ure-seekers all take their own views, and
do not tell of the same things That Maine
is large state, with great interior, and
mountains, lakes, rivers, bays and numer-
GUS harbors, need hardly be said. Those
who go to hunt or fish are apt to 90 far
from the coast, and they enjoy themselves
hugely, from all reports. My own desire
was to see the coast of Maine as far as pos
sible, and was gratified beyond my means
or-expectation. Not that saw the whole
Of it, but a very large portion; and be-
sSAoo
quite out.of their route and mode of going,
very likely I can interest some
who go to Maine, as well as some
who have not been, but may
wish to do so and would be glad of few
practical hints beforehand. For these I
would suggest application by letter to the
general passenger agent of the Eastern
railroad" Boston, requesting their little
pamphlet giving maps, places of interest,
names of hotel and boarding houses, pro
prietors and prices, and then they will
have some definite data whereby to plan
their excursions with economy and salts
faction. Said railroad did issue very fine
map of Mt. Desert in its pamphlet, and no
one ought to go the first time without that
or equivalent information. The map is
from United States coast surveys and,
though small, is beautifully printed and
tells one at q glance how the mountains
are grouped, where the lakes are among
them and where the harbors are; in feet,
the entire interior and coast of Mt. Desert
very accurately. r.
With such pamphlet one can visit that
noted island with greater satisfaction from
knowing beforehand what is to be seen
and how to reach it.
However, l knew very we'll of Mt. Des-
ert by reputation, and that I had an old
college friend, rector of st. S. church, Bar
Harbor, who would tell me what wished
to know when arrived.
In order to escape the malady known as
''autumnal catarrh" akin to ebay fever"
had determined, if I did not find relief at
Mt. Desert, to go to the refuge of hay fe-
yer patients in New Hampshire. But, very
fortunately for me. I found sufficient
refuge and relief at Seal Harbor on the
south coast of Mt. Desert. Singular to
,JoAo 80 h.
part of this island, living many years
past in Philadelphia, always comes back
to Seal harbor for relief from hay fever.
| Not only does he have it in the northern
| part, where some of his friends still live to
be visited-but this I know, he had been
boating up in Long pond mile west of us
and more than mile up the pond, near
| the Sargent Mt. In gathering various
| flowers peculiar to the place, or some pc
| culiar vegetable influences, he had very
| decided attack of his old malady, affecting
his eyes, nose and throat, and was obliged
| to confne himself to his room, suffering
| acutely and did not appear at table with
US for several days. Then he got all over
| it and kept away from Long pond the rest
of the season. He was building very nice
roomy cottage near the Sea Side house,
on the west side of Seal harbor, and is
quite sure there is no other place on the
island for like relief. Such testimony
from native of the island, thoroughly
acquainted with all parts of it, is valuable
| to hay fever patients, and I have put this
| let it go by, and endorse it with my own
experience. Owing to the dust of railway
travel and at Rockland and from Bar Har-
Dor by road tosSeal harbor, I was thor
oughly uncomfortable on arriving at the
Clements; but in day or two much bet
ter. and the catarrh and asth-
ma did not trouble me as at
home, and felt very much relieved
Of ali the harbors at Mount Desert I like
| Seal harbor the best for the location, view
| of mountain, north. One of the very fin
est views and hills, 400 feet high on either
side the valley, half a mile wide, and their
| sloping projected points with an island be-
| tween enclose charming safe place for
| rowing and sailing, which many enjoy, but
I was too much interested in sketching to
| join them.
At Clements point one get fine view
of the ocean; OF i'll the west side from
Mr.. T. along down to the Crowninshield
point, you see the ocean to south east.
South west harbor is the one most sought
| by shipping, being very roomy, and safe.
| Worthless harbor is equally deep and safe,
| and heard had sheltered several hundred
at time in old fishing days.
| One is not on the southwest nor the 9TH
er on the northeast of the island, but they
are southwest and northeast of each other
| and only two or three miles apart. APP
| preaching the island from the west, first
Great Bass harbor, thence some miles east
| ward Southwest harbor, then Northeast
| then Seal, q suppose Otter creek is also a
| harbor), land then no more until one reaches
| Bar Harbor, well up the eastern coast, and
when you get-there, with Iron-Bound and
Porcupine, masses of rock not far
| off in Frenchman's bay, you be-
gin to wonder where the harbor
| is. Your steamer Games to a wharf, dis
| charges her passengers and freight and
| goes on up the bay, returns, does the
same thing and goes back to Rockland or
| Portland. But there is an island Just
northerly of said wharf and bar running
to it. At low tide people can walk over
behind that bar is harbor. That is to
say, schooners, ETC., going up around
| safe in a storm. You might not think
there would be any great ones on French
mans bay. But the large steamers some
times delay their trips, I believe, and sail
ing vessels must be glad of shelters near
at hand in those waters.
Not until one sees how the ocean pillows
sweep up Frenchmans bay in southerly
storm, how they rage and tear all along up
those shores can he fully understand the
value of any harbors there. South to north
east storms would be very severe on
Frenchman's bay. Winter harbor is over
on the east side. Only to see the rocks
everywhere ragged and torn; wild and de-
fant-poor chance for vessel knocking
against them. AS for sand beaches I saw
only two; small one just west of Great
Head and our own beautiful sand beach
| on the north curving line of Seal harbor.
I do not pretend to say there are
! no sand beaches on the coast of Maine
from Mount Desert to St. Groin
Island for up Passamaquaddy bay,
but know I did not any. The everlasting
granite beds, sea. washed and sea wroueht hnf