Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-06-22
OSCAR CRoCKErT's STEAMERS.
Popular Captain Who Built Up the
Rockland and Ellsworth Line.
From the Rockland Courier Gazette


skies, are two trim craft popularity known
along the Maine coast as the catherine"
and "Juliette" or still better known as
Cap'n Crocketts boats.
Previous to going onto the Roekland,
Bluehill and Ellsworth route July 3, much
time and skill are being devoted to the
two steam boats, and when Capt. Crockett
and crew get all done tinkering and
painting the catherine" and "Juliette"
will reflect like mirrors.
The reporter of the Courier Gazette
dropped aboard the other day and found
captain and crew with their shirt sleeves
rolled up and head over heels in business
They have been giving the Catherine" a
thorough overhauling, which includes
painting inside and out, boiler revamped
and hard patched, engine and pumps
| looked after. Two new water-tight bulk
heads have been built making three water
tight compartments with whieh the Cath
crime" is now equipped.
One of the staterooms has been con-
verified into private bin for lady pas
sengers. 1t is sheathed in white wood and
when all is, in readiness will be uphol-
stored and provided with porteres, easy
chairs and other modern conveniences.
t The pilot house has also been sheathed up
and painted and Capt. Crockett is already
beginning to feel as proud as a peacock
over it.
The "Juliette'' lies alongside the Cath
crime and in a general way is receiving
similar repairs. One important change is
the new Roberts safely boiler which has
been put in.
The steamer "Rockland", which also
belongs to the feet, will be hauled out for
a thorough overhauling, and the "Ju
liette' will take her place. Last spring
p, the "Rockla received new pumps, con-
denser and carpets and when she receives
a fresh coat of paint inside and out will
be o. X. from PROV to stern.
The "Catherine' carries an excursion
permit which allows her to carry 375 pas
sengers; the "Juliette", without such
license, accommodates 125 passengers,
while the "Rockland' is permitted to car
ry as high as $50 passengers, SO it will be
seen that the company is in pretty good
shape to look after the travelling public.
Mention, also, might be made here of the
fine new wharf which the company has
| built at North Deer Isle.
1--WE are in better shape than ever to
accommodate the public" said Capt.
Oscar, "and we are anticipating very IA
vorable year even if the war does last
through it. The wire edge of fear that
anyone may have felt for the Spaniards
] hos oft nv fay,
will have been wiped out entirely. The
Spaniards seem to have all they can take
care of in Cuban waters and a darned
| sight more"
The Rockland and Bluehill line of
steam boats was established in June, 1877,
and the first boat to run on it was the
steamer "Hercules' owned by Gen. Davis
/ Tillson and afterwards taken to Alex
| andria, Virginia, where her name was
changed to the "Nirginia".
Capt Crockett rainier two years on the
Bluehill line, and then started in with the
Henry Morrison" The Morrison" did
duty thus for seven or eight years, and
only few weeks ago wound up a vener-
able and varied career by being burned al
her dock in Boston.
Then followed the steamer ssBluehilI'
which was shortly afterwards disposed of
TO parties across the border, and is now
running near Cape Breton as passenger
and mail steamer. With her departure
which was two years after she had been
built, the company gave up the route and
| Capt. Crockett chartered steamers to ac-
commodate traffic.
Finally the late George II. Slower went
into partnership with him and the steam
er Florence" was bought, shortly after
giving away to the catherine" and "Ju-
lietten. After the death of Mr. Slower,
Commodore Alexander Henderson, L. S.
| N, bought the boats and formed the
Rockland, Bluehill & Ellsworth line, of
which he is treasurer. Commodore Hen
derson is also chief engineer of the coast
| guard squadron and is kept pretty busy
! by the government.
| Capt. Oscar Crockett, who will COM
mand the Catherine" this season, is one
! of the bestknown steamboat captains on
the Maine coast. His seafaring career be-
gan at the tender age of five years, when
| his parents were given the alternative of
allowing the youngster to go to sea with
his father or to listen to daily complaints
from a remarkably healthful pair OF
youthful lungs. They adopted the former
! course, and while other lads of his age
were making mud pies Oscar was accom-
panying his father on deep sea trips and
exhibiting great interest in matters nau-
| teal.
Oscar Crockett added the title of soap
tain" to his name when he assumed COM
mand of the little packet "Medora", which
piled for two years between Rockland and
Dix Island.
Capt. Crockett and wife had been living
at Dix Island, acting as superintendent of
quarry and lobstering between whites.
Then began the great Dix Island boom,