The Republican journal., 1898-05-26
The Penobscot River Torpedoes.

BY courtesy Of Capt L. w Coumts Of
steamer Castine a representative of The
Journal had the privilege 4f passing over
the torpedo fields Of Bucksport narruws,
Saturday. The steamer had a busy day,
making 26 miles between O'Clock A NJ and
midnight. She left West Brooksville in the
morning and took passengers from that
place, from Casuue, and from Hewes Point,
iRyders Cove and the Lime Kiln in Isles
boro There We're IS passengers on the ex-
cursion After leaving this party at Belfast
the steamer went to Castine, from Whence
she took the Normal School base hall nine
and a party of friends, to the number If ll5,
all told, to Bucksport The mine fields were
found to be located in Bucksport uarrows, a
short distance below Bucksport village ANA
directly under the guns of Fort KnIN. The
place is indicated by red and white range
flags on the shores, and stelu1,rs 8rr rNqujr-
ed to stop their wheels auu i. 1t Ur wasp
through As the tide favored the Casuur
drifted through Leaving thu parry at Burks-
port the steamer returned to Belfast and
took home her Islesboro, Castiue4 md Brooks
vile passengers, after witch she Went to
Bucksport for her base bal, eXcur-ion5ts
At Castine the signs OF the coming sum
mer business are marked. The steain yacht
Princess, the naphtha launch Matte W., au@
numerous sailing yachts are ready for ser
vice, and many OF the cottages are occupied,
The hotel at Fort Point also showed Signs Of
occupancy.
The report that the lighthouses along the
coast are not lighted ~ incorrect On the
passage the Castne came within sight of
Negro Island. Camden; GIlkey's Harbor,
Isesboro Eagle Island Dice Head, Gas
tine, and Fort Point, all of which were
lighted as usual.
Owing to some delays at tie landings the
steamer did not arrive at BuGksport until
o'clock, hut the engineer in charge Of the
mines, who was on the wharf, gave perms-
sion for the boat to return, but cautioned the
captain to be extremely careful as serious
results might arise from the propeller when
in motion hitting a torpedo. The propeller
would doubtless be broken if no more serious
consequences resulted The Darges and tugs
which were engaged in laying the torpedoes
were at the wharf in Bucksport when the
steamer made her landing. They had on
deck, besides several coils Of wire, two tor
pedoes, which very much resembled the
ordinary can buoys used in harbors. Twen-
ty-one torpedoes had been planted and two
more then remained to be placed. At night
the range flags were replaced by bright
lights. The mine field passed without
the steamer so much as rubbing her bottom
against torpedo, and the return trip to Cas-
tine and Belfast was made without further
| incident She arrived in Belfast just before
midnight, in time to start on fishing ex-
cursion to Swans Island.
The large steamers of the Boston " Ban
gor line stop their wheels when crossing the
| mine fields when the tide is favorable, but
are obliged to keep them moving under one
bell when going against the current, The NJ
& M. goes around Verona and up through
the bridge when the tide is against her. A
| movement is on foot to have the mines
moved from a narrow channel which local
pilots will know, in order not to impede the
navigation of the river.