|
|
|
 |
|
|
The Bridgton News Vol. 68, No. 1 Friday, January 7, 1938 Canal Boat Days -- They May be Gone, But Not Forgotten
Bridgton Reporter Correspondent Writes of His Boat Trip, via the Canal, to Portland and Yarmouth. The "Log" Contains Much to Recall the Days when Boating from Harrison to Portland Harbor, was a Considerable Business. By Robert Jordan Dingley Article VII The following is from The Bridgton Reporter, Vol. 1, No. 45, dated September 15th, 1859. Five Days Behind the Masts: or Life on the Canal Boat When the Turkish Rear-admiral visited our shore, a year or more ago, there was great excitement among the people in consequence of his arrival and great were the exertions made to make his visit a pleasant one, and to impress upon his mind the importance of our national works and resources--our armies, our navies, our asylums, our public schools, our merchant vessels, and all the blessings resulting from a free government. The press, each day, gave an account of his movements--the movement of the Turkish Rear-admiral! Thus the foreigner gets lionized, when he comes to this country, while a native-born American with four times as much talent and education is passed by unnoticed. On the morning of the 22nd of August, 1859, I made my way to the wharf at the canal boat landing in order to take a short pleasure trip down the lakes, river, and canal to Portland, and thence to Yarmouth; and as I trudged along with my valise and firkin no mayors, city councils, or representatives of some august body, waited upon me with a barouche and four, and the accomplishments of military and civil procession; no, no! I was not a furriner, therefore, I might lug my valise and firkin till doomday, if I pleased. But smothering my indignation I travelled on until I reached the wharf where the canal boat lay moored, all laden and ready to start on the voyage. Long Pond glistened as the morning sun shone upon it, while the breeze was so gentle as to cause a ripple on her fair blue bosom. At the wharf I found our editor, who like me had determined to try "a life on the ocean (?) wave" and was waiting for the crews of the boats to make their appearance. The boatmen came at last, and here begins my log-book. Monday, August 29th. Weather pleasant--At 7 1/2 o'clock, a.m., I stepped on board the Green Lake bound for Yarmouth and Portland. The crew consisted of Capt. Fields, Messrs. Pl r and Bates. We were accompanied by the B. Walker, Capt. Gibbs, with the crew, Messrs. Ballard and Mains, and the passengers, Messrs. Lamson (of the Bridgton Reporter) Hall and Weymouth. There was scarcely any wind, and the two boats went lazily along side by side till we reached the foot of Long Pond--passed under the draw-bridge, and entered upon Brandy Pond, when the wind springing up we soon crossed and were following the crooked course of Songo River--time: about noon. We passed through the Songo Lock and by the vine covered cottage of Mr. Woodman and continued on our voyage now pushing the boat along with heavy poles, and now setting the sails so as to catch the breeze as we followed the serpentine course of this river. The banks of the Songo are covered with trees and underbrush, with the exception of here and there a farm, and the channel is so crooked that at one place we sail several miles and get back to a certain old decayed tree from where we started.--Through the river, we crossed Sebago Lake--under the bridge at the foot of the lake -- across the "basin" - then the head of the Presumpscot River, and entered the canal. The Ben Walker followed a short distance, and ever and anon the shouts of her jubilant crew were echoed by our own crew as we passed through the locks, or glided along silently over the still, clear waters of the canal. We reached "Gambo" at about sunset. Deep darkness soon settled over the land, and as we threaded our way through the dark forests, Mr. Plummer, who has had long experience as a voyager related many thrilling stories of the adventures of the canal when boating there was in its infancy, how he and others had been followed by catamounts and being met by other wild beasts; how boat crews had been frightened and fled into the cabins for safety; and how one timid individual had been frightened, one night while following the horse on the tow paths, by seeing a horse without a head coming towards him bearing some fearful monster on his back! We continued on till we reached the "Sev Locks"; where we stopped for the night. Time: 11 1/2 oiclock, p.m. Tuesday, August 30th Weather pleasant--We started at an early hour and reached Portland at 8 o'clock a.m., where we found quite a number of boats at the "Guard Lock". I strolled around the city till afternoon, when in company with the B. Walker and the Ocean Ranger, Capt. Gammon we set-sail with a fair wind for Yarmouth. While going down the harbor the three boats were hitched one behind the others with all sails set, and the boatmen got together and had a jolly time over figs, cigars, and lemonade, which they had provided for the occasion. But we soon parted company and sailed a short distance apart, when Capt. Gammon seated himself on the bow of his boat and with his clarionet played several spirit stirring tunes. We passed several islands, on one of which a large picnic party had erected a tent and appeared to be having a fine time. We passed many vessels and smaller crafts, the latter of which we looked down upon with utmost contempt quite forgetting that though they the occupants, were humble in their pretensions, yet "a man for a that". We reached Yarmouth harbor at sunset, having followed with difficulty the narrow, crooked channel. The other boats were not so fortunate, having got stuck in the mud. Soon after arrival we were pleased to see Mr. Hall coming towards us, he having preceded us by railway. During the night the tide having risen the two boats arrived and the cargoes on deck were unloaded. We left the canal and sailed up the mouth of the Presumpscot, then across the "basin" and entered upon Sebago Lake when the wind blowing a gale we ran for safety into Cape Standish, time; 10 1/2 o'clock a.m. We were soon joined by the Ocean Ranger, and at about noon by the B. Walker, bringing Mr. Lamson and Mr. T. Hall. After partaking of a most savory dinner we set sail at 1 1/2 O'clock, but the gale continuing with unabated fury, we ran in and anchored at Frye's Island; but the Ocean Ranger and B. Walker ventured to cross though they seemed likely to be capsized at any moment. The island consists of a large tract of land covered with the forest, while a house and a barn have been erected and land cleared in the immediate vicinity. Four of us went a blackberrying with tolerable success.-At 7'olclock, p.m., the wind lulled a little we again set sail to breast the foam crested waves of Lake Sebago. But we found that the wind had lessened but a little, but still blowed with great violence from the westward while black clouds just rising from the horizon looked rather squally but we hoped to reach the opposite shore ere we should feel their effects. The waves ran high and our boat tipped sideways to a fearful extent as ever and anon a big wave dashed over the deck; but our little vessel ploughed gallantly through the waters under the guidance of our skillful helmsman, while the faint light of the moon aided in making the scene one of unusual grandeur and sublimity. But we at length drew near to the dark outline of the opposite shores and at 9 O'clock ran safely into the mouth of the Songo, and there the scene changed as if by magic--no longer the sound of the wind and waves, but, on the contrary, a death-like stillness. The darkness of the forest on either side of the river was intense, but the river itself was visible in consequence of the reflection of the sky upon its surface. The stillness was unbroken, save by the steady tramp, tramp of the boatmen as they walked the length of the boat, pushing it along with heavy poles; while the northern lights, shone with remarkable brilliancy, danced to and fro like phantoms, and gave a weirdlike influence to the scene. But it was 10 o'clock so I turned in to my berth in the cabin. "Where are we?" asked I, the next morning as I peeked out from my berth, "are we out of Songo yet?" "yes, at Mutton Cove," was the reply. I arose and went on deck; the sun was shining brightly; the wind had wholly subsided, and we were at the Bridgton Wharf. Wednesday, August 31st. Cool and cloudy. We all set sail at an early hour for Portland and beat Lip against a strong wind. At one spot we saw a number of seals darting their heads above the water, or crawling on the rocks. We arrived at P. at 10 1/2 O'clock, a.m., passed the two wharves intended for the Great Eastern, and fastened our boats to the pier where we were to stop for the remainder of the day, and next night. During the afternoon we had a smart shower. Thursday, September lst. Weather pleasant. Left Portland at 10 1/2 o'clock, a.m., and started on a return voyage "alone in our glory", for the other boats could not make it convenient to start when we did. There is to be a great trotting match at P., today between Floral Temple and Princess. Leaving Portland, the scenery becomes beautiful--fair cottages and elegant mansions half hidden by the rich foliage; green lawns sloping down to the waters edge, where the willows and other shrubs bend gracefully down and are reflected in the glassy surface of the canal; little boats drawn upon the bank; the many bridges; the view of some distant village; the occasional appearance of a canal boat--all comprise to form a picture seldom surpassed. A little urchin digging clams and wearing a tall beaver hat, calls forth many jocular remarks from the boatmen. At one place we pass a host of naked urchins bathing in the canal. Pass the pleasant village of Stroudwater on the left of us. Pass through seven locks and meet six boats;--time; 2 1/4 o'clock p.m. pass Saccarappa at 3 o'clock--Pass "Congin" and another small village at 3 1/2 o'clock, and across or rather under a railroad -- meet two boats -- pass through two locks and cross Pleasant River at right angles, by means of a bridge with water-tight sides and bottom, and arrived at Little Falls, Gorham, at 6 1/4 o'clock, p.m. Meet another boat, and pass thru "Gambol' at 7 o'clock -- meet one boat, and after passing through three locks reach Kemp's, where we stop for the night. Time 8 o'clock p.m., -- distance from Portland fifteen miles. The Ocean Ranger lays along sides of us. Friday, September 2d. Cloudy and lowery. Leave "Kemp's" at 5 o'clock a.m., and after passing through six locks and meeting one boat we arrive at Great Falls, Gorham, at 7 oiclock. Great Falls is quite an extensive as well as a pleasant village; the Presumpscot furnishes a strong water power which seems to be well improved, but as the boat did not stop I had no time to note anything in particular, with the exception of a country store, and a milinery shop, nearby. Go through four locks and pass a small village containing a saw mill and a few dwellings--meet another boat-pass through another lock. Weather more pleasant. We pass through two locks and are at the head of the canal. Distance from Portland; twenty miles. And now goodbye to the canal through which we have been so long sailing and have enjoyed such views of pleasant villages, farm houses, and villas cradled mid the clustering hills", roads, rustic bridges, and the Presumpscot River which, a part of the way, goes dashing ownard many feet below the canal side.
|
|
|