The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1906-09-06
BROllED LIVE LOBSTER.
A Sunday Shore Dinner at Crescent Beac

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Perhaps some of our readers may recall,
and may have participated in. the rush to a
newly discovered gold field. In the near
future it is highly probable that there will
be like rush to any place that can offer
the attraction of shore dinner IN which
the lobster occupies the first and last place
on the menu. Some people tell us tnat lob
sters are as plentiful as ever but the writer,
for one, does not believe it. The demand
certainly exceeds the supply, prices con-
tinue to advance, and even now this crus-
tacean is beyond the reach of the average
citizen. If you go down the bay you ind
that the lobster fishermen have engaged
their catch to the hotels or cOttagers, al
though it is said that a certain kind OF
"bait'' will secure a supply, with liberal
allowance of "shorts" thrown in-provlded
the wardens are not about
In view of these facts it is surprising that
the steamer Castine was not loaded to the
guards on her excursion to Crescent Beach
last Sunday The weather was favorable,
bright, but cool, with the wind northwest,
thus promising smooth water in the bay.
The Castine started from Stockton with
thirty or more excursiOniSts and about
forty went on board here. AS usual head
wind was encountered down the bay, stiff
Southwestern. Al Camden most of the Stock
ton crowd-they were not Stockton people
by the way-were landed and the remainder
of the party went on their way rejoicing.
1t was O'Clock when the Castine landed
her party on the long pier at Crescent
Beach, and as landlord Smith had not been
notified Of our coming there was wait of
about half an hour for dinner. Nothing
was lost by waiting, however, as the lob
sters which were the chief ingredient OF the
meal were just from their native element
and cooked after our arrival. The menu
included clam chowder and lobster stew,
cold lobster, fried and steamed CLANS, broil-
ed live lobster, pies and pudding, tea and
coffee. Perhaps mention should be made OF
the hot biscuit, one OF the accompaniments
to most satisfying meal. When you hap
pen to be aboard the Castine just ask Capt
CoOmbs what he thinks of the hot biscuit
they serve with the shore dinners at Cres-
cent Beach.
After dinner we heard by telephone that
big fire was raging in Rockland and that
the wharf of the Eastern Steamship 20.
was in danger or had been burned and the
smoke could be plainly seen. Just before
our departure a gentleman who arrived on
the electrics said that the fire was under
control and was confined to the LIMERICK
railway and one of the kilns. When home
ward bound the fire was located at about
half way between the Eastern Steamship
Co's-pier and Atlantic wharf, and the blaze
was plainly seen. AS learned later it was
an $4,000 fire.
1t was dead low water when we arrived
at Camden and the inner harbor was as
usual filled with yachts, but Capt. Coombs
threaded his way among them and made the
landing with the Castne headed out. Four
o'clock was the schedule time for departure
and five minutes after the town clock had
struck the hour the lines were cast off.
About dozen of the Stockton contingent
had not made their appearance. They had
gone to Rockland to the fire with others OF
their party and were supposed to have
found attractions on ssThe Point
A suggestion that the Castine make the
Stockton landing before going to Belfast
found ready acceptance. Quite a number
had not seen the big piers and others were
glad of the opportunity to visit again this
new Maine seaport. A dozen or more schoon-
ers and big tramp steamer were at the
Cape Jellison pier or anchored in the har-
Dor, and just beyond the big pier and store
house for handling Aroostook's immense
potato crop loomed up in the twilight. The
scene was one calculated to enthuse the
loyal citizens of Maine and cause them to
rejoice at these evidences of enterprise and
prosperity.
At p. IN. the excursionists were landed
on Lewis wharf and in passing up the gang
plank many extended thanks to Captain
Coombs for the very pleasant outing.