The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-07-14
A DAY IN CASTINE.

Certain Belfast people have got in the habit
of spending July 4th in Castine. They met by
chance on the steamboat wharf three years
ago and having enjoyed the scenic beauties Of
the historic town across the bay and partaken
of one of Vopelps Fourth of July dinners it
was unanimously voted to make this an annual
event. By reason of an accident one member
of the original uuartette was unable to make
the trip this year, but there were two in her
place; one from Bozeman Montana, and the
other from Northport. Undeterred by the
heavy showers in the early morning, and the
appearance of unsettled weather, the party
made its way to the steamboat wharf in two
detachments to meet there with surprise, as
neither expected the other would show up.
Had not the Golden Rod had an extra amount
of freight to take on one party would surely
have been left.
Last year Capt Smalledge, on request. went
out of his course to give us view OF the
wrecked schooner Alice E. Clark on Coomb's
ledge. The schooner is still there, and added
to the original loss is the $4,000 or therea-
bouts expended in the unsuccessful efforts to
get her off This year the Golden Rod had
coal for Mr. E. X. Harris of Holbrook's Island
and this gave US longer sail through most at
tractive scenery. Holbrook's island is beau
tiful spot and has been improved by Mr.. Harris
in many ways His handsome cottage stands
on an eminence some distance from the shore,
commanding fine views of the bay and of the
nearer Brooksville shores. In former visits
L. <ha h,,k 10
now substantial wharf around which were
clustered rowboats and motor boats. The coal
was put on board a scow moored in the stream,
which evidently had not been bailed since the
rain, and some of the party were greatly dis
tressed lest the young man who was endeavor-
ing to remove the water with a shovel would
suffer from over-exertion.
Leaving here the course was up the Brooks
vile shore in rear of Nautilus island, on which
were seen number of Jersey cows, and then
across to the regular Castine landing. Castine
was celebrating, and boat race was on as we
arrived. under the direction of Mr.. John Vogell,
who is always on hand when anything is doing,
from a Republican convention to a dog fight.
1t was d-;zziing when we landed; but that did
not dampen our spirits in the least. We were
in Castine, and there was a snng harbor at the
Castine House. Some of the party made TO-
ray for post cards under umbrellas, and after
time the skies cleared and Thunder and Light
ning-a matched par--took US for a ride
through the tree.shaded streets, past the
pretty residences of ancient and modern type,
and landed us at the hotel in time for dinner.
The menu was elaborate one, and this is
what one of the party selected for his frugal
repast": chicken consomme, boiled salmon with
lettuce and cucumber, roast chicken, green
peas and new beets, strawberry pie, fruit ice
cream, coffee. 1t was all ''home cooking and
of the best, and the ice cream was creamy and
delicious. The party are already looking for
ward to the next Fourth of July dinner at the
Castine House.
Castine had two U. S. ships over the 4th-
the Dixie, second rate cruiser, formerly the
steamship Ell Rio, and the Preston, torpedo
boat destroyer The latter laid alongside a
wharf, SO that visitors had only to walk on
board. She was. .ilong, low. rakish looking
craft" reminding ono(of the insect commonly
called devils darning needle. With a good
freeboard forward she tapered aft and her
deck bristled with guns. The mascot of the
ship was kid-four-legged-b by one of
the crew in Belfast.
Castine had all sorts of sports on the 4th,
concluding with boxing bouts by the man-of-
wars men in the evening, but these did not
interest us and at 3.45 p. m. we left for home
ON the Golden Rod. The wind fairly screech-
ed from the north and it was rather rough
trip across to the Lime Kiln. The run home
from there was uneventful