The Republican journal., 1895-10-10
Burned for old Metal.


KATAHDIN SAW 30 YEARS SERVICE ON
THE BOsToN-BANGOR ROUTE. FOREST
CITY Piled BETWEEN THE HUB AND
PORTLAND FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
From the Boston Globe Of Oct. III
Two old side wheel steamboats,. the
Katahdin and the Forest City, were burn
ed last night at Nut island, Houghs Neck.
to secure the old metal which entered in
to their construction.
The first week in July the boats, which
had been purchased by Thomas Butler &
Co., were towed to Nut island at high tide
and grounded by tugs far up on the beach,
The engines and boilers were taken out,
broken up and sold for old junk, and
every bit Of iron, brass and copper that
could be removed went into the scrap
heap and lighters brought it to the CITY.
A big hole was made clear through the
Katahdin forward of her paddle boxes.
and about all Of the Forest City that was
standing above the main deck were the
great hog frames which brace and
strengthen the ship, and her after cabin.
The boats have bad an eventful career.
They were pioneers in Maine steamboat
history, the katahdin running for more
than 80 years on the Bangor route, and
the Forest City running on the Portland
route for more than 40 years.
They have breasted the storms and
fierce gales that sweep the Atlantic coast
in the winter months, and in the busy
summer season have carried thousands of
tourists to Maine ports.
They have both done splendid service,
and owing to their superior strength and
seaworthiness have been in use muoh
longer than the average time allotted to
wooden steamers of this class. Vessels
OF twice their size and of the most modern
type have taken their places.
The Forest City was built in New York
Tor the Portland steam packet company
! in 1854 by John Inglis. She was tile first
steamer that this prominent steamboat
builder ever built. She was of 1884 gross
tonnage, cost about 1925, 900, and was
considered an up-to-day craft il every
particular at that time. Her passenger
carrying capacity was about 400, one half
that OF the new steamer Bay State. The
late Capt. John B. Coyle, founder Of the
company and father Of the present mana
ger, superintended the building Of the boat.
When the war broke out the Forest
City, like many other boats of her class
in northern waters, was chartered by the
government and used for several years as
transport. She did not at any time then
encounter the rebels, but it remained for
| her soon after, when she had returned to
Portland, to encounter them lust outside
the harbor
The story Of the capture of the Caleb
Gushing by the rebel privateer Tacony is
familiar to many. 1t was the Forest CITY
that was armed by citizens Of Portland.
and in company with the Chesapeake. on
June p, 1868, was sent in pursuit of the
rebels. 1t was the Forest City that was
bearing down on the rebels when thew
blew up the Gushing and surrendered
Capt. John J. Liscomb, father Of the
present treasurer Of the company, COM
manded her at that time
The Forest City has had few command
ers. Besides Capt. Liscomb her other
masters have been Capt. William Snow
man, now Of the Bay State, who went on
the Forest City 80 years ago when he first
entered the service Of the company, who
was pilot one year when George knight
was master; Capt. Richard Donovan and
Capt. John Craig
During all her long career the Forest
City never met with any serious mishap.
She was a superior sea boat. She was
withdrawn from the line year ago last
February ana was towed here on July
LIST by the tug Memo
The katahdin was also built ia New
York by John Inglis 4 Sons. She was
built for the Sanford Independent Line,
running between Boston and Bangor,
which line was succeeded by the Boston
and Bangor steamship company.
The katahdin started on her trial tlip
to Bangor, Nay ~, 1868. under command
Of Charles 3. Sanford. Her last trip from
Bangor to Boston was made June Is, 1894,
Capt. Otis lngraham in command with
ll3 passengers and full cargo OF freight
Tie katahdln has continued on the
route the year through, with tie excep-
ton OF one winter, that Of 1864, when she
ran on the Fall River line. She has prob
ably seen more and harder service and has
contended with more ice than any vessel
that has not been in the Arctic seas.
At the time she was finished no steam
er had then been SO beautifully and eA-
pensively fitted out. Her tonnage was
1884. She had accommodations for 500
passengers. Her cost was $500
The katahdn has always been consider
ed one Of the stanchest sidew heel steam
ers running out Of Boston. She was
very easy boat in a rough sea. In all her
years OF service she never had an accident
Of any consequence, and only once was
seriously damaged by a storm, and that
was during the winter Of 1sS5-S6
On Jan. 9, 1886, the Katandin left Win
terport at the usual hour, and had fine
weather until off Cape Porpoise, when a
heavy gale arose, increas ing each moment.
Off Boone island tremendous sea broke
in the bulwarks on the port bows, swept
the forward main deck clean and carried
away the bulwarks on the starboard side.
Large quantities Of water went into her
cabin, and in short time there were \ ~
feet Of water in the hold. For 10 hours
the steamer heavily breasted the tremen-
dous seas, until the afternoon, when the
wind having somewhat subsidized, she put
into Portsmouth harbor. Afterward She
steamed to Boston, her hull being intact.
Some of the best known and most ex-
perienced navigators on the coast have
commanded the Katahdin, among them
Capts. Charles B. Sanford, J. P. johnson,
Henry S. Rich, William R. Roix and r. @.
Homer All Of these, excepting the first
named, are now dead. In recent years
the Katahdin has been commanded by
Capt. Marcus r. Pierce, now of the Pc
nObScOt and Can't Otis Tnoraham the