Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-06-21
IoBsrERs AND THINGS.
"Reminiscences Of Former Days ALONG
the Maine Coast.


the Maine Coast.
written for TEE AnHnicAH By Capt, Ed. A.
Richardson. Of Deer Isle, from Tampa, Fia.l
There Is theory among fishermen that
the paddle and the screw Of steamers and
power boats disturb the fish and cause
many Of them to forsake their former sum-
mer homes in our bays and to seek more
quiet grounds for peace and recreation,
but doubt the substance OF such an
hypothesis.
II there be an old cod which Matched in
the shadows OF Penobscot bay . half
century ago and is stiil permitted to spend
his summers there, he may have gasoline
headaches. and his afternoon siesta may be
disturbed by the anmuffied discharge of
much afraid. He may, in sorrow, tell his
grandchildren OF how much more quiet
and home-like the bay was in his youth; ;
OF how many less there were OF their
enemy, the dog fish; OF how much more
abundant fat herring were, and how
much better the times were in every way
before there were so many trusts, which
men call "trawls'.
II is not good to be old-for either man
or fish-if one may not be respectfully lis
tened to when deprecating the present
times as compared with the past.
And the old lobster! We do not know
what he may be telling his young, but it
is my belief that his defamation has been
caused more by some natural enemy in
the sea than by the hand Of man. II he
escapes all preying enemies, reaching ma
turity and q coat Of spiked armor, he, at
least, fears no screw or paddle wheel. He
is ever ready to back water or to advance
and bite . battleship.
Man need not yet be old to tell how plen-
tiful HOLSTERS were in the days Of his boy
hood - when q CARLOAD might easily be
hooked out Of the eel-grass along the hAr-
Dor shore on any low tide OF summers
day-when there was no price on the lob
ster's head. Mans taste for this fish seems
to have been lately acquired, perhaps
largely from the fact that we most ap-
preciate the things that are denied.
This writing was begun, not with the
growing scarcity OF fish in mind, but with
the intention Of reviewing the dearth Of
travelling conveniences around our bays
some two score years ago when steamers
were 80 whole show" and power boats
were unknown.
There had been at times, and for some
years, q steamer running across the bay
from Rockland - generally to Machias,
think-but in the one summer OF 1855
there was none on any route from Rock
land to Hancock or Washington counties
save the Boston Bangor boat touching at
Bucksport, and her schedule was but semi
weekly.
Bar Harbor, As summer resort, had not
been born, but Southwest Harbor had
two or three small and very plain hotels.
Such patrons IS these houses had that
summer generally left the Boston boat at
Bucksport and thence by land and stage.
Capt. Tom Fuller. in silk hat, immacu-
late linen, and with the dress and address
Of the old-time gentleman, owned and
sailed . large packet between Rockland
and Deer Isle, connecting with the Boston
steamer. His craft was quite comforts BILE,
built and fitted for . fast yacht. She was
named Surf or Spray, l have forgotten
which.
was not entirely grown up at that
time, though 1t home only for vacation
from foreign voyages. My grandfather
owned pleasure boat for family use, and
it was generally idle and always at my
command. A friend OF mine and agreed
with Capt. Fuller to use this small craft
and forward any passengers bound
farther east that he might bring to Us.
He brought good many, with that under.
standing.
We made . pleasing success OF the VEN
ture, and had many nice people in ouI
care--and others, with . chance to study
humanity at close range for the boat wa
small and there il no place whore human
strength or weakness shows on mors
plainly than when af1oat under more o,
less trying conditions.
Our 6rst trip was out to Duck Islands tc
New Yorkers and evidently strangers ia
Maine. They were mot communicative
and my partner became culious enough "a
question than. He was told that they
were Detectives sssking stelsn child, and
long story about II. I bslisvsd they
were ssstringing" my too inquisitivs ship
mate. They had perhaps in some way en-
gagged board on the island, and wsrs goina
thsrs for novelty, recreation and : un-
questionable ssclusion. Thsrs was nc
more than one or two houses on the island
and no one seemed = b sxpsoting them.
They landed Just before dark and then VI
raced away for the sheltsr Of Bass Harboz
ahead Of thick, gray bank Of fox rolling
in for the night from the open 49,
There was then an oil factory ct Centre
Harbor, Brooklin, and ct times We had
passengers and freight for that place
One windless day the Rockland packet did
nnf ps<nrh oup havkr,p uxfSl late ~ sxnro,.