Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-09
I HAIL, ISLANDER!
Easily Shows Her Heels
To Baths Nshansda'
And latter's Captain Grace
fully Acknowledges the Corn.
4 Pretty Race from Goose Rock to
Bath, Islander Winning.

I "a .SW udyo oSO Lie odlH AIuCo
printed a paragraph relative to race
between the steamers Nahanada of the
BoOthbay division of the Eastern
Steamship Co. and the Islander of the
Augusta and Boothbay route, in which
it was alleged that the Nahanada
showed her heels to the upriver steam
er on the homeward run Memorial day.
1t was but natural that the Times and
the people from the Shipping city
should feel elated and also proud of
their steamer for winning from her
doughty rival, even if they did not
know that many times during the race
the Islander was running under one
bell. Many other people, however, who
saw the paragraph and who know the
merits Of the two steamers either Won
dered how it happened or else laughed
in their sleeves and resolved to say
nothing, but await developments.
Among those who were awaiting de-
veiopments was Capt. Bob Westfnan
of the Islander, only in his case it was
more the waiting for an opportunity
Steamboat men in general and others
who are well acquainted with him
know that he can handle a steamboat
viii Shlll even IKE tIdl WlCE WHICH
the individual in the circus side show
manipulates the pea and the walnut
shells, and is possessed of full as many
tricks in the gentle art of marine nav
igation. And it is also said that some
of the men on the Nahanada, during
the race In question. and who were ia
nliliar with the steamer and her cap
tain through last seasons association,
could not help thinking. as they
watched her coming along behind their
steamer, of the old song "She's Pooling
Thee"
Rut to return to the opportunity for
which Capt. Westman was waiting. 1t
came yesterday afternoon and in this
way. On the trip up from BOOthbay
Hartor as the Islander swung around
Goose Rock, about 10 miles or so be-
low Bath, the Nahanada was sighted
just leaving Westport Junction. She
was three quarters of a mile ahead
and a stern chase is supposed to be
long chase, but the Islander swung
around and was after her. The Naha-
NADIA was lost to sight at times but
the cloud of black smoke that followed
her wake showed what was going on
chance for race, as neither steamer
had any landings to make and there
was plenty of water.
On the Islander things We're moving
about as usual. She was carrying her
usual amount of steam and no more,
and making her usual time, but at the
same time she was gaining and kept
gaining, so that when He'll Gate had
been passed and the steamers squared
away for Arrowsic bridge the Islander
was close behind. The two steamers
whistled for the bridge together, and
after the afternoon steamer had pass
ed on its way to Boothbay the two shot
through the bridge, the Islander was
SO near that biscuit could have been
tossed on board the Nahanada
This was the end of the heat, for at
that point Capt. Westman- "opened
er up so to speak and she forged
ahead Of the Nahanada in short order
The defeat was taken by the Naha-
nada's crew in the best of good nature
and as the Islander passed her Capt.
Harry Bigger of the Nahanada leaned
out of the pilot house window and TAX
ing off his cap acknowledged the corn
Capt. Wcstman kept the Islander go
ing for quite a distance above his
dock. Just to show the Bath people that
he was leading the procession and then
went back to his landing. The Nahana-
da is a game old veteran and has foot
ed some fast miles. but the Islander
sets 4 pace that is trifle too warm
for her.