The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-08-05
The Maine Press Excursion.

| ty last week was very pleasant, despite the
stormy weather at the close. The party met
at Bath Monday noon, where Messrs. Ken
drick, Dunbar and Ogier of the excursion
committee received them. After dinner at
the Shannon House, a sail on the Kennebec
river ON the steamer Wiwurna was enjoyed
through the courtesy of President Drake of
the Kennebec Steamboat Company A fine
view was afforded of the water front of
Bath. At the north end a schooner was on
the marine railway and a new vessel in
frame on the stocks. Coming down stream
the Bath Iron Works were passed, with two
light-ships at the dock, one nearly complet-
ed and a third, in the yard in the process of
construction. Beyond was the Palmer yard,
with a keel stretched for what is to be the
biggest schooner in the world, tive-master
The sail down river extended to Fishers Ed
dy, about eight miles from Popham Beach.
On the return to Bath an opportunity was
afforded for a visit to the Bath Iron Works.
and at 315 the Wiwurna left for Booth bay
Harbor, the press party then numbering
about 80, while 60 had signifed their inten-
ton to 60.
A more delightful sail could hardly be
inag ned, and although the conditions might
have been more favorable it was heartily en-
Joyed. The wind blew almost a gale at
times. but the route was landlocked and the
water smooth, and the rapidly changing
scenes were all attractive. This sail afford
ed convincing proof of the great capabilities
OF the Maine coast as a summer resort for
the Nation. Between Bath and Booth bay
Harbor there are delightful sites for summer
houses, and one hundred thousand people
could locate here and have their choice of
picturesque islands, bold headlands, quiet
coves or shady groves. And then there
would be room for more.
The last landings were made at Moose and
Squirrel Islands, and then a dozen or more
OF the press party, who had been assigned to
| the Menawarmet House, disembarked on
the east side of Boothbay Harbor, the others,
who were ticketed for the Boothbay House
to get off at the regular landing. AS to the
respective merits of Boothbay' 8 three hotels
| the writer cannot speak. The Menawarmet
| is modern structure with an electric light
plant of its own, the others are less pre-
| tentious. Elizabeth and Mary Weymouth
are the proprietors of the Weymouth House,
which was established by their father and
it is most comfortable and home-lke place.
Those of the party who were assigned here
| found good BEDS neat rooms, an excellent
table and kindly attention.
| After supper some of the party went out
| for walk and soon found themselves on
the brow of a Hill in the centre of the town
from which beautiful view was obtained
of the harbor and outlying islands 1t was
about sunset and the reflections on the
placid waters invested the scene with most
charming effects of light and shade Near
! at hand was quite a sect Of yachts, iuclud-
ing some of the latest and finest creations in
this line, and beyond large fleet of coast
ers of all sizes, rigs and types, this being a
favorite haven with vessels bound east and
west
AT O'Clock the eXcUrsionsts mbled
at the Pythian Opera House to enjoy re-
ception rendered them by the citizens of
Boothbay Harbor. They We're met at the
entrance by young ladies who decorated
each guest with a bontonneire, and the party
was soon made to feel at home. Punch-of
the Notwithstanding kind-was literally
served, and after introductions and social
chat recitations and musical selections were
given by some of Boothbays gifted daugh-
ters, followed by remarks from the visitors
and prominent citizens. The Opera House
| merits word. The hall, on the ground
| floor will accommodate 900 people, and is
finished throughout in Southern pine, walls
and ceiling, with good stage and a gallery
along the two sides and at the end opposite
the stage. The floor above contains the
spacious and finely appointed hall of the
knights of Pythias, with anterooms, and tn
Masonic hall and anterooms, and in the third
story is banqueting hall. Our party were
shown through the building, and can con
gratulate the secret societies on having such
fine quarters and the people of Boothbay
Harbor on their handsome opera house
Tuesday morning at 8 o'clock the party
embarked on steamer for Squirrel Island
A landing was made at Mouse Island, where
we were to change steamers, and oppor
tunity was given for brief visit to the
Mouse Island hotel. The way from the
landing was along shady path on the shore
high above the water, and the hotel is finely
located, Once more af1oat we steamed away
for Squirrel Island which loomed up before
us with its picturesque cottages and rocky
shores. Sailing yachts were gliding abou,
the bay with parties on board, and as the
day was one of the finest that could be
imagined, clear and bright with just breeze
enough to temper the heat of the sun, il
seemed as though we had reached veritablt
summer paradise. This impression was
| strengthened after a nearer view of the
scenic and other attractions of Squire
Island. Some of our party who had 50
journed here in the early days-Howart
Owen recalling the time when there was bu
one house on the island and s., 800 woul(
have bought the whole property-though
Squirrel had lost something of its charm by
the invasion of fashion and the spirit of ex
clusiveness; but this did not trouble in tn,
least the excursonists of the day, who fo
the nonce enjoyed themselves as though
they had been milliopaires. The part,
dined at the Squirrel Inn, and partook o
the Squirrel Island spring water, which i