Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-10-26
Present Waterfront
Brings Olden Times
To Gardiner People

THE present aspect of the water
front. with the scows and equipment
of the bridge construction COMPANY
brings to the mind of some of the
older residents the old days when Gar
diner enjoyed to the full the excellent
advantage of being head of navigation
on the Kennebec. 1t was over 100 years
ago that the first steam-propelled
craft made its appearance here. In
1918 Jonathan Morgan, an Alma attor-
ney, fitted a steam-propelled scow and
this was the first of it's kind to be
seen in these waters. In 1919 30
foot side wheeler piled from Bath to
the Capital City. In 1928 the steamer
Waterville was built at the Shipping
City, and it is believed that she was
the first steam vessel built on the Ken
nebec. She also ran from Gardiner to
Portland, while the steamer Patent ex-
tended her trip from Boston to Port
land as far as Bath. In 1926 the same
vessel ran from Gardiner to Portland,
while a steamer from Gardiner to
Portland followed. The Ticonic was
Gardiner built and ran between this
port and Waterville, being the first
steamer to ply on the river above Au-
gusta.
In 1886 company was formed in
Gardiner with a capital of $4,000, the
purpose being to operate a steamer
from Gardiner to Boston. The COM
pany purchased the New England. but
two years later she was run into by
schooner off Boone Island and was
so badly damaged as to become prac-
tically a total loss.
Then came the Huntress and the
Clifton, two rival lines, the latter be-
ing owned by Commodore Vanderbilt.
The Vanderbilt interests then placed
another steamer on the line to replace
the Clifton and for brief season COM
petition between the two lines was SO
intense that the fare from Gardiner to
the Hub was but % cents, but of
course this ruinous rate was in effect
but short time.
An interesting tale is told of race
planned between the Huntress and the
newest Vanderbilt steamer, the c.
Vanderbilt. The race was close and
the excitement intense. the boats be-
ing close by each other during the run
to Boston. the Huntress reaching that
port three-quarters of an hour ahead
of her rival. The time consumed by
the entire trip was 10 hours and IS
minutes.
In 1916 the Peoples Line was organ
lied and the John Marshal placed in
service. In 1850 the T. II. Secor was
operated between Hallowell and Bath,
and at the close of the Civil War the
Eastern Queen was run. The latter
boat is reputed TO have cost 100000
and was considered palatial steamer.
In 1866 the Star of the East, the first
steamer owned and operated for many
years with much success, costing
$4,000, was placed under the COM
mand of Captain Jason Collins of Gar
diner. This man was in active and
continuous service for nearly two
thirds of century, and 1t is interest
ing to note that during the A years
he was master he carried 100000
persons and sailed his steamer without
an accident of any moment or the less
of life--a truly remarkable record.
In 1901 the holdings of the Kenne-
bee Steamboat Co. were acquired by
the Eastern Steamship Co. The loss
of the City of Rockland several years
ago was expected to strike death
blow to steamboating between Gardi-
ner and Boston. but activities have
| evidently taken on a new lease of life
and it is probable that Gardiner will
have a Boston boat" for some years
to come.