The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-10
LITTLE GLIMPSES
OF CASCO BAY
WeA-Known Richmonder Describes
Its Many Beauties.
A MOST PICTURESQUE PLACE.
The Islands Are Crowded with Cot
tages and Handsome Summer
Homes-Gorgeous Views for the
Artist-Fine Fishing.

PUNKINUB. CAsCO BAY. Me, Sept.
7.-Iiavlng spent more than a month on
this islet, / may correct some Of the err
roneous impressions received after only
a few days sojourn here. The name OF
this verdure-covered rock, IN the midst
OF Casoo Bay, is Punklnub. an Indian
name. attes,ed by the scholarly owner OF
the place. and the Portland Board OK
f Tsade." The dimensions OF the little
island. az stated by "the Oldest inhabi-
fants OF Casco." Is l00xl75 yards. Instead
of three hundred and sixty-hve islands"
In tho bay. as commonly estimated, the
number IS one-lundred and twenty-five.
But. there is no discount upon the word
/ painting Of the exquisltely picturesque
scenery-viewed by 1.-TWO hundred thou
sand annual tourists" published by sew
eral eminent writer's OF America. Arte-
mas Wardism has proclaimed II "equahed
/ by none. and excelled by few
A little historic and commercial franz
! ing may show off the picture to advan-
! tage. "Tho old Colony OF Massachusetts
Ray." whose chief representative now IS
/ Portland. Ne. was originally and subse-
| quontly styled Machigonne, Falmouth,
and Casco. Three times since 1852 has
| Portland fallen by ravages OF war and
flame twice by annhilation. Still Il looks
ont proudly, from ITS ascending eminence,
rising some 175 feet from the waters edge
10 fits snired crowned summit 'over the
dancing waters OF Casco Bay" The first
lighthouse OF the United States was at
Portland Head" Elizabeth Bay. and
since January, 1921, has been burning
nightly.
PICTURESQUE PORTLAND.
The city of Portland IS on a peninsula,
shaped like two sides Of square; enc
side running north and south, and TIE
other from east 10 west Its magnii cent
harbor was early suggestive OF navigation
and commerce. In 1896. the city received
from duties. S3l290s. In 1896 the coinage
Of vessels from the United States 10 Ha-
vana was 117.776 Of which II, 6l9 vas from
Portland. In 1892, vessels enrolled and
licensed from the city were i12. with 200
qeamen. Before the Embargo Act" the
shipping was valued at 81 5000 The
fisheries are varied and extensive. The
value of "the catch Of cod haddock. hall
but. mackerel and sword fish IS $3.50 co"
ShelL0sh abound. fisher and largo
property owner on the island nearest 10
ours, sends weekly. as he states. 700 20
500 barrels Of live Holsters 10 Boston. The
mackerel como IN shoals Of millions
around our island. covering the waters
with a glitter like the spangled heavens
at night.
Daily IS heard among our young fox
the Petrine say: Il go a-nshing.' Tho
professional" with his net, often traps
nj one haul more than the number of that
famous catch on "the sea Of Galilce."
Tho city-Portland- adorned with
handsome public buildings, beautiful
parks, and imposing monuments, ard his
toric homes. as I.ongfellows. Neal DOWs
and TON Reeds" as well as large facto-
ries, and stirring streets Of business with
attractive stores. Its chief ornament is
noble cody men. "The First Parish
Church" is noted for having had only
four pastors since its foundation in J725
in 1852. a Baptist church moved bodily
from Maine to South Carolina; and is
the first Baptist church of Charleston;
whose bi-centcnnial celebration in 1sS2
the writer had the honor Of putting in the
volume THE First Baptist Church OF
South Carolina" or 'Deering Forest" Of
Portland. Longfellow sang:
For behring's woods are fresh and fair,
And with a joy that is almost pain
Ny heart goes back 10 wander there,
And among the dreams of the days that
were
I find my lost youth again"
The two extremes Of the city are aapk-
ed by the Eastern and Western Prone
uades" The Eastern" IS a bold bluff
overlooking the sea and commands fine
view Of Casco Bay, island studded and
fecked by a hundred sails. 10 al nori-
zon where the broad circles @; TIE
SKY is met by as broad an e1) llse Of
sea-" The Western is still nigher, and
gives a view which expands 60 where the
white Mountains" Of New Hampshire
90 miles away-stand IN bold o1tiues
against the western sky, AMI covering "a
half circle. whose circumterenee Is al
most three hundred miles. Nowhere In
the East IS another such cyc!Oramic view
possible"
ITS STRONG Defence.
Casco Bay. over which Portland, from
her high tower keeps watch and ward,
IS defended by forts. on which are now
erecting guns 10 throw balls fifteen miles,
and to discharge 1--WE shots before the first
shot reaches its first destination. Is this
Information a Ia nom Dreyfus2 The
tide Of The bay rises and falls ten feet.
The water around Punhnub, into which
our swimmers dive daily IS at high tide,
forty feet deep. and is IS TO 81 degrees
cold Steamers ply up and down like
shuttles Of a loom, not so rapidly, but as
regularly. The countless craft OF all
sorts, at the recent Boat Carnival" de
corated with the colors Of the rainbow,
and al the expense OF the city, was "a
sight TO behold" Some Of the islands
are quite small, others measure 1900 acres.
Peak Island our next door neishbor, has
q summer population Of 1900. and not less
than I'VE hundred pretty cottages OF
every possible hue and every style iof ar
chitecture. IL boasts a High School, 4
church. a Gem" theatre. and a post
Office. The most noted islands are Cush-
ms. Little Diamond, Great Diamond.
Long Island Green Island, and Orrs
Opposite Orr's. and on the mainland IS
"Harpswell" partly owned by colony
Of summer residents, who have a COM
mon cafe, but a cottage for each family
As on Cushlngs and some other islands
these choice spirits have delightful enter
tainments, which our young people have
attended. The steam yachts and other
yachts, on the bay. are declared equal
to the most approved boat building in this
bodybuilding" part Of the world. The
"Catamaran" is "a queer bOat-rather two
boats united, with one set OF rigging. II
Is not admitted 10 yacht-races: because