Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-09
90 YEARS AFLOAT.
Long Service of Frank [. Nc
Gowan of Gardiner.
Many Experiences on Many Different
Steamers.
Interesting Story Of Eearly Beats and
Their Patrons.

along tlly eastern coast of New Eng
lana. Ana yet such an Individual is to
b" found i'm the person of Frank L. Ne
Gowau of Gardiner, Me, retired after
long years of efficient service.
Mr.. McGoWan, though veteran and
Wen into Old age, is still hearty and
vigorous. ANA. were ii not for failure i'll
his sight, would seem to be Still capable
Of doing business. for he is otherwise.
physically ANA mentally, in fine condi-
ton. ana looks, talks ana acts more lillg
a man of - than one verging on 50
years Of u-r.
Air. NcGoWtm was born in Gardiner
on July IN. lS2i. His life has been IN
active one. from beyhood up-first rs a
waiter on board Of some of the coast
steamers running east from Boston to
ports in Maine ana to st. John, n. s.,
and later ON various Sound line steam
cre.
From a waiter he rose to be steward
ana WAS " celebrated caterer in his day,
The steamers ne had charge Of being
always the most popular boats on the
lines. largely duo to his superior ability
as a burycyor. He was well known to
the travellers Of the last generation,
MANY Nc tl.a au.4 vors o. which sin re-
call his gasJroncmic triumphs.
He is fan If "reminiscences Of his
active lie as q steamboat man, but is
extremely modest in talking of his
achievement. He is, however, n most
interesting talker, and has a wonderful
memory in gard to names, dates ana
incidents.
MY first experience in steamboating
was in the steamer Marlborough, Capt,
Nathaniel Nimbail of Gardiner. This
steamer ran from HalloWell to Port
land. on alternate days. This was III
1875. and | started in as waiter. The
Nacdunou1h WAS the first regular liner
~ the route, though in 1894 the steam
Gr Patent made some trips between
Halloweil and Portland.
In 1886 Captain Kimball took com
mand of the steamer New England.
which was the first regular liner from
Gardiner To Boston. The landing place
in Boston WAS Lewis wharf, and il
Portland the landing was near the
present steamboat pier.
The NV England was wrecked on
the 1st Of June. 1928, near Boon island.
off Portsm uth, n. II. At 1.30 O'Clock
that morning she coIlided with the
schooner Cur2W, Captain Crockett, of
East TLomasjon OoW Eockland),
bound to Boston with a load Of limo.
AT thai time wood was employed to
max. steam. ana the steamer having
large supply on board, did not sink,
but listed over and finally turned bot
tom IN. The rev and passengers We're
transferred N the vessel, which was
uot badly Injured, but in order to ac-
commcdate them about 100 barrels OF
lime had to be thrown overheard. Only
one life was cost.
The upturned steamer YVES toWed
into Portsmouth, Will" the vessel with
The rescued crew and passengers was
toWed tp Boston by the steamer Ports
mouth Of the regular Portsmouth ana
Boston lire. The crew and passengers,
about &C in number, lost everything.
I'm Boston we were put up at the
New England Coffee House on Black
stone street, WfcT we were wei
treated. and furnished with clothing by
the generous citizens Of Boston. The
wrecked steamer. which was owned by
CAPTAIN I<imbaIl and Rufus X. Page OF
HalIoweu, was only partially insured.
I'm less than Is days Captain Kim
ball chartered the steamer Huntress,
ana had her on the route, and had
very successful season. The year fol
lowing the company purchased her and
placed her regularly on the line
"In 1899, when old Commodore FaH-
darbilt was reaching out To extend his
system. he placed his favorite steamer,
the q. Vanderbilt. on the route between
Boston and HaIlowcll, in competition
with the regular line steamers. Then
began q famous war of rates, the COM
podore evidently believing he could
run Off the down East vessels by low
fares. He afterward added the steam
ers Augusta, Splendid and NJ. j. Beach
To his line.
During 1899 and 1910 the people on
the Kennebec enjoyed low fares and
ample opportunities to reach Boston,
the round fares being at times as low
as % cents. the regular fare being ~
for the trip either to or from Boston
"But the old company held the fort.
They could not be driven off the line.
Instead Of losing heart, they purchased
The John W. Richmonda-a fine boat for
her day-and ran her on low fares
Finally. after two years of competition,
the commodore Withdrew his boats, in
1S4l. ana the old line resumed its con-
troll If the steamboat traffic between
Boston ana eastern ports.
The ]. W. Richmond was the regu-
lar night boat between Boston and Hal
lowell making two round trips each
week. while the Huntress made semi
weekly trips in the day time. This ar
rangement was interrupted after 2
short season. it being found unproiit-
able. and the Huntress was with
drawn.
I'm 1913. however, the Huntress was
put on the route between Portsmouth,
and st. John. y. B.. in connection with
the Eastern railroad. She ran from
Portsmouth to Eastport and Calais:
then returned to Eastport, and thence
to st. John. on the return trip she
called at PASSPORT, where, after ex-
animation by the custom of GERS, she
returned to Portsmouth, connecting
with Boston by the Eastern road.
Il was still on board the Huntress
and remember that on our first triI
down we had only four passengers; bu
on our return trip we had $50 passen
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