The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-22
TWICE ON ROCKS
RETURNING FROM
A MAINE DANCE

West Southport, Me, Aug. with a
weary party OF fourteen excursionists on
board. the little auxiliary sloop Gee
Whiz crept into this harbor today after
having been lost in the fog and hung up
on two lodges in the Sheepscot bay while
returning from a dance on the east side
OF the island last night.
The party left Hendricks harbor as IL
Is called on the official map or Cozy Har-
Dor as IL is better known 20 the summer
people here, early last evening. The fog
was just then beginning TO set In but with
the fog bell from the light house on Hen
drick's head TO guide them. Capt. +. B.
Brewer of the sloop, an experienced nav
igator OF these waters, anticipated but
little difficulty I'm getting back.
When the dance broke up at midnight
the fog was unusually thick even for this
part OF the coast The Gee Whiz, how
ever, had little difficulty I'm coming down
the river until she went out by Dogfi.sh
Head. as the winding channel thus far
was we'll buoyed. But at this point the
river broadened out about two miles wide
and there was not a landmark 10 be seen.
In the hopes OF picking up the sound OF
the fog horn on Hendricks Head, the
sloop's engine was slowed down until
there was barely steerage way on the
little craft and the strong current sent
the boat across the river towards the Five
Islands shore.
While all ears were strained for some
sound OF the horn or some glimmer OF the
light through the fog the heavy swell
that runs at this point where the river
meets the bay. picked up the Gee Whiz
and set her up on one OF the ledges.
From the peculiar formation OF the
rocks here Capt. Brewer got his bear
lngs. but all efforts 10 back off the little
Bloop were unavailing until the rising
tide hoated her an hour later. With the
tide came a heavy swell through which
the Gee Whiz must go two miles and a
half broadside 10 pick up the lighthouse
and harbor. and many OF the party be-
came seasick.
After 10 miles OF sailing the sound OF
the foghorn could be heard but from
Hendricks Point to Cozy Harbor al low
tide is very dangerous navigating in the
fog on account OF the numerous shoals
that stretch far out from the shore. To
add 10 the difficulties there are two
lodges sheltering the little harbor from
the sea
The outer ledge IS uncovered for sew
eral feet at low tide and in endeavoring
10 geA out OF the way OF the shoals the
Gee Whiz made too wide a sweep 10 the
southwark and before the low-lying rock
could be seen by the lookout at the bow
the sloop had run up on the ledge. All
efforts TO back her off were fruitless and
held by her bow and swinging and toss
ing in the heavy surges from the Sheep
scot bay. the little boat spent an uncom-
Portable two hours.
Nearly all OF the party by this time had
succumbed 10 the seasickness and their
plight was not rendered more cheerful
by the knowledge that their harbor lay
barely a hundred yards away. After
time the tide lifted tho Gee Whiz over
the outer ledge and the anchor was let
go. for It was impossible for the helms
man to even take a small boat through
the very narrow channel by the inside
ledge In such a fog.
Fortunately the stout hull Of the sloop
had been but slightly damaged by her
experiences on the rocks and the ex-
cursionists were subjected 10 no more
narrowing adventures. During the fore
noon the fog had lifted sufficiently for
Capt Brewer 10 make out the barrel that
marked the inside harbor ledge and with
out further -fnishap the Gee Whiz landed
her bedraggled party on the wharf.