The Republican journal., 1900-08-02
A DAY IN THE IDALETTE.

On Friday last party Of eight, which in
cluded the Mayor of Belfast and the Col
lector of the port, made trip around Isles
boro in the steam yacht Idalette as guests of
the owner, Mr.. A. II. A. Groeschner. A
blackboard conveyed the excursionists to the
South Shore, Northport, where call was
made On Mr. and Mrs. Groeschner at their
cottage, and a little after 10 A. NJ, the Ida
lette left her moorings with Capt. Groeschner
at the helm, Willie Bray in charge of the
engine, three young ladies perched on top
of the pilot-house with megaphone, and
the remainder of the party in the cosy cabin
or under the awning at the stern. The
course was along the shore until nearly off
Duck Trap, when the yacht was headed
directly for Glkey's IIarb0r. On the right
as you pass in by the lighthouse on Grin
dels Point is Warren's island, bought re-
Gently by W. H. Folwell of Philadelphia. A
| building was begun here, 100 feet in length
and built OF logs, but operations have been
suspended, probably because of Mr.. Fol-
wells illness; and for the same reason his
summer home on Isola Bella remains unoc-
cupied. All who know Mr.. F. hope that he
may speedily regain his health and spend
many happy summers in Maine.
| Since the writer last visited Gilkey'S har-
Dor, three years ago, the monument on
Thrum Cap has disappeared, the govern
ment has placed buoys at needed points, and
summer cottages have appeared where the
| sheep used to wander in the shade of the
scrubby Spruces. One of the cottages is
said to have cost $4,000. Several Wharves
have been built, and yachts were mOored in
many of the coves. Formerly the yachts
| were nearly all moored in Ames' cove, where
! there is boat landing. A short walk from
the head of this cove takes you to the head
| of Dark Harbor. The only wharf in Gil
keys Harbor was private one, further
down, owned by j. w. Brackett of Balti-
more, and which is still maintained. AS a
call was to be made on Mr.. Bracket the
Idalette made landing here. Unfortunate
ly Mr.. Bracket was in Boston, but the cap
tain and engineer of the steam yacht Van
cluse were on hand and made the party feel
at home. The Vancluse is kept ready for
service day and night during the season, the
engineer sleeping on board. Nearby is Mr.
Brackets sailing yacht, sloop, one of the
early Burgess designs. And by the way,
Mr.. Bracket is the pioneer summer resident
at this end of the island, coming here
some twenty years ago. His cottage stands
on the highest land at the southern end of
the island and overlooks Gilkeys Harbor
and the eastern bay.
1t is a wonder there are not more cottages
in Gilkey's harbor, which is an ideal place
for yachting and boating. There is plenty
of water for the largest yachts, a snug
harbor in any weather, and no sea to
trouble the smaller sailing craft. About
midway of the harbor is the ship channel
between Minot and Acre islands, and it is
a short run across to Camden or to Rock
land. The passage out by Pendleton's
point should not be attempted at low water
unless on a very light draft, and then you
want to know the way. SO, as it was ebb
tide, after lunch on board and stroll on
shore, the Idalette was got under way again
and heading down the harbor vas soon in
the eastern bay The run was made along
the Islesboro shore, where smooth strips of
sandy beach alternate with walls of dark
rock. \ good view was had of the Dark
harbor cottages and the Inn, and at Hewes
Point a run was made into the harbor past
the steamboat wharf At Ryder's Cove a
! landing was made and the young ladies
went sup town. to invest in peanuts and
candy. AS we came out by kyder's Cove
the steam yacht Aria, owned by Z. II. Blake
of Bangor, came up by Cape Rozier and
! headed across the bay. Later we saw her
at anchor off the Northport Camp Ground.
Passing Turtle Head, place of pleasant
memories to many of our people, the Ida
lette was headed for home, and seemed to
fairly fly through the water. We all thought
, the skipper and engineer were showing us
what the craft could do when necessary,
/ but when interviewed on the subject they
said they had only the usual amount of
steam However. the pleasant trip ended
too soon, and before six O'Clock we were on
! the buckb again, bound for Belfast.