Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-04-01

Game Wardens j. E. Bowden and F. w.
Thomson have recently returned from q
snowshoe trip through western Hancock
and eastern Washington counties. They
went through a good game country, and
found many signs Of moose and deer.
Bob cats are unusually numerous They
saw no indications Of illegal killing OF
big game, though they read in the snow
the story of one unsuccessful hunt for
deer.
A handsome bird, rare for this section,
was brought to E. ID. Brann, taxider-
mist, at Ellsworth today. 1t ID . wild
swan, which was shot at Webb's pond by
Hamlin Kirgmsn, OF Weltham, Monday.
1t is q young bird, pure white, except for
on head and neck. The bird spreads 6 feet
9 inches from tip to tip. These birds win
ter around the Gulf Of Mexico, and nest
in summer in the vicinity OF Hudson's
bay. The route OF their spring and fall
migrstions is usually along the Missis-
sippi valley and the great lakes; they sell
dom stray as far east as this. This bird
was with small flock Of geese when shot.
The swan is credited with . speed OF 100
miles an hour in flight.
When it was stated that the new dam
would change the map of Ellsworth by
creating q lake right in the centre Of the
city, no claim was made that that lake
would be further beautified by islands-
floating islands, at that, y hich is some
thing every lake cannot show. Theee
islands, there are three of them, are likely
to prove troublesome because of their dis
position to roam. The largest OF them
has drifted down the lake half a mile or
more, and is now within 100 rods OF the
dam. The islands are composed Of made
land which was built on a foundation of
n a yvdncf cficEin and n1d loon When
the water in the lake rose, this land, in
stead of being covered, floated to the sur
face and broke from the shore. The lar
gest of the islands contains perhaps a
couple of acres, and on it there is q vigor-
Gus growth OF alders. Those who have
ground firm under foot. The power COM
pany is considering how best to dispose OF
the islands. An unsuccessful attempt has
been made to anchor the largest one. 1t
may be found necessary to blow them up
with dynamite.
A friendly letter from q shipments OF
years ago, Capt. George H. Tapley, of West
Brooksville, Me-, reminds us of the
scarcity of ships and seamen in that vicin-
ity as well as all over that r,ariner- pro-
ducing State in comparison to years ago.
Capt. Tapley says in this connection:
Had seagoing vessel to-day, could
not find crew enough to man her in this
port under seventy years of age. Thirty
years ago there we've thirty-eight sail of
vessels owned here; to-day not a sixty
second part OF one can claim this as hail
ing port. Fifty years ago Castine, just
across the river, had several fine sailing
ships engaged in the New Orleans and
Liverpool trade, while now shipping at
that port as well as at this is a lost art"
Capt. Tapley was in command OF the
the bark lronsides, just OF the stocks
when the Civil war broke out. His vessel
was one of the first chartered by the gov
eminent to carry supplies for use by the
navy at Hilton Head, s. C.. After arriving,
his bark was kept under charter as
storeship lying in Hilton Head bay four
teen months. Capt. Tspley, now in his
seventy-sixth year, is getting all there is
to be had out of life at his quiet home in
West Brooksville, surrounded by every
comfort, and with the knowledge that he
did his part we'll during his many years at
sea. Marine Journal