Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-04-17
STEAMERS ON PENOBSCOT
Old Town to VIM, Away Back lr
The 4Os and SOS

One of the most interesting remin-
iscenses Is connected with the little
stern wheel steamers which used to
ply so busily between Old Town and
VIM, adding so much to the conven-
fence of doing business upon the
river, taking up or landing passen-
gers at any point along the shores ,
where business or pleasure called
them; and it really seemed some |
times. as though they put themselves
in the most inaccessible out of the
way places, on purpose to try the
skill of the pilot, or the patience of
the captain. No method of trans
portation has been so much missed
by the Penobscot people as this; it
was 50 completely suited to the lum-
bering business, putting men and
freight just when and where they
We're wanted. The first steamer was
built in The winter Of 1878. and the
author mad the pleasure of coming on
her from the boom, on her trial trip,
and we'll remembers that John God
dard was aboard and claimed the
privilege. and was allowed to eX-
| hibt his skill as pilot part of the
way. She was named the Gov.
| Neptune" in honor Of John Neptune.
governor Ct the Penobscot tribe of
Indians. Some little Indians, desir-
ing to take pleasure trip up the
river, when called upon to pay their
fare. pointing to the name upon the
steamer, replied. He my grand
father This boat was built under O
charter from the legislature of the
State of Maine, to Wyman B. s
Moore, and William Moore, giving
them the exclusive right of navigat-
ing the Penobscot river, between Old
Town and Mattawamleag, for TWEEN
fty-ve years, conditioned and requir-
ing certain improvements to be made
upon the river, to facilitate the nav
igation.
In 1S49. General Veazie. under the
impression that the corporators had
forfeited their exclusive privileges, by
not making the required improve
ments, built a steamer Of larger size,
and more powers and put her on the
river in opposition. She was named
the Gov. Dana" in honor Of the Gov
ernor of the State. She ran through
the season. The corporators sued
Neazie for an infringement of their
charter, and the court held that the
charter was valid, and that the
company had twenty five years in
which to make the required improve
mcntS.
The Gov Dana" was taken into
pieces, put on board the barque "Rio
Grande," sent around Cape Horn to
California, rebuilt at San Francisco.
adding twenty feet to the length. and
run for years upon the Sacramento
river, and continued to run. until. like
the boys jack knife. from continual
changes and repairs, not a particle Of
| the original structure remained.
| Perhaps the sign board should be
excepted, and that had been repaint-
ed several times. and the cylinders.
The Moores built. as the increasing
business and natural decay Of the old
err boats required, three other boats.
named respectively in the order Of
structure. the "Mattanawcook," "Sam
Houston" and "Wm. N. Ray" and
continued to run their boats until
1858. when they sold their property
and franchise to William II. Smith
and others. The new owners in
course of time, built two more boats.
the John A. Peters," and Lizzie
Smith," The latter being a boat of
smaller dimension.
In 1867, the European and North
American Railway Company bought
out the interest Of the Steamboat
Company. to save the opposition to
their road, and took the steamers off
from the route below the Mattawam-
keag. Since that time some Of the
tanneries above that point have con-
tnued to run a boat part Of each
season. Cor the purpose of transport
ing bark and other supplies.