The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1906-08-30
THE MOUNT DESERT HILLS.
A Sail to Southwest Harbor and Up Somes
Sound.

Sail to Southwest Harbor and Up Somes
| Sound.
SIT was lovely sail one of the prettiest
ever had," said a lady member of the party
who made the trip last Sunday in steamer
Castine to Southwest Harbor, SOmes Sound
and Northeast HarbOr. The Castine left
Lewis wharf at 8.15 a. IN. with about rs on
board. 1t was a beautiful morning, with
the wind from the northwest; but before
the monument was reached the wind came
from the southwest and so remained during
the day, in the early evening veering into
the south. The water was perfectly smooth,
the air clear and the views of the shores
and islands were greatly enjoyed. An oc-
casional fishing boat, small yacht or naphtha
| launch was seen, but there were fewer sail
| ing craft about than one would expect to see
when all the conditions were so favorable
for yachting Near the lower end of the
Reach handsome black schooner yacht
under full sail was seen up to windward,
and later handsome white yawl bound up
was met close aboard.
Bluehill bay was as placid as an inland
lake and here the Mt. Desert hills, of which
we were to have nearer view, loomed up.
The tide rip on Bass harbor bar was hardly
felt as the steamer sped on to encounter a
slight swell heaving in from the ocean and
to give her passengers a first Whit of real
sea air. A landing was made at Southwest
Harbor, where there was to be a stop of an
hour and half, and some of the party took
dinner at the Ocean House, others at the
the chowder, etc, served by the steward on
the CastiDe. When the lines were again cast
off the steamer was headed up picturesque
Somes Sound, where lofty hills rise pre-
cipitOusly from the water. At one point the
steamers whistle brought a remarkable
echo. When in sight of Halls Quarry, now
operated by New York firm, the steamer
was turned and headed for Northeast Har-
Dor, where there are many large and fine
cottages on the shore of the Sound, with
private landings and sail yachts or naphtha
boats at moorings. After landing a pas
Senger the CaStine started on her return
trip. Quite fleet of small sail yachts were
at moorings below the steamboat wharf
with mainsails up and some of them started
out later. They were mostly of the old
fashioned or fishing boat type, but the hull
of one, modern creation, was painted
bright red. In a cove beyond was black
steam yacht of which we were to have
nearer view later. just before leaving
very handsome yaw was met going up the
Sound under her auxiliary power. With
her graceful white hull, mahogany and
brass fittings and handsome spars she was
picture. Later we met the barkentlne-
rugged steam yacht Sutana, OF which the
government blue book tells us that she is
800 tons gross, was built in Brooklyn, n. y
in 1890 and is equipped with $50 horse power
engines. The steam yacht seen at anchor
was now following in cur wake and her ap
proach was watched with interest by the
party on the Castine. She gradually drew
up abreast of the little boat, giving a good
view of her broadside, and though she final
ly passed us the Castile held her good play.
In model she is OF the English type, but she
was built at Bath in 1902, is 53S tons gross
and has 1850 horse power.
Fog was hanging over the Mt. Desert hills
when we left and the Sly was murky, with
other indications of STERN or fog that made
Capt. Coombs anxious to get into more IA
mllar waters before dark. AS the tide was
high the steamer entered the Reach through
Naskeag narrows, and although the wind
had measurably abated it was cool enough
to induce many of the party to seek the
shelter of the cabin On the. down trip the
Castne had taken on board in the bay
party from Northport who came out in Dag
gett's launch, and now the question was
how to land them at the Campground. They
thought boat would be on hand to take
them ashore, but none appeared, and after
losing much time Capt. Coombs reluctantly
ran the Castine alongside the wharf, and at
8 O'Clock the remainder of the party Were
landed on Lewis wharf.