June 2014 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 25. HISTORY FROM THE PAST - Bangor Daily Commercial - 1890s


and she was launched shortly after the RED JACKET.


The LIVE YANKEE was owned three- quarters by Foster & Nickerson of New York and one-quarter by Capt. George W. Brown of Rockland, who commanded her. Bets were freely laid as to which of these two clippers would make the best trip across the Atlantic, and far heavier wagers were made upon the ability of the RED JACKET to eclipse the brilliant records thus far made. The best passage that had been made up to that time was 13 days and 19 hours, by the SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS, built by Donald McKay of East Boston.


The wildest hopes of the owners and builders of the RED JACKET were destined to be realized, the trip to Liverpool being made in 13 days, one hour and 25 minutes, the quickest time on record. The news was received in this country with the greatest excitement, and the newspapers bristled with display headlines, and exclamation points. It looked as if the speed of American clippers would never reach its limit. The news of this remarkable passage reached Rockland on a Sunday, and was the cause of general rejoice. The LIVE YANKEE sailed shortly afterward, but had a hard passage, and never succeeded in bearing the record of her rival. Two other ships were built about this time after the RED JACKET’s model, one at Wiscasset and one at Boston. But after Deacon Thomas had received his molds he altered them, putting four extra frames into the vessel amidships, and in that respect she differed from her imitator, whose builders had though to turn out vessels that should


equal the RED JACKET in every respect. The downeast deacon was too smart for them.


A Rockland ship was in Liverpool at the time of the RED JACKET’s arrival, and a Rockland sailor who was on board has told of how the big clipper came fl ying into the harbor. The excitement in marine circles in the English town over the affair was scarcely less than in New York. At least a day before the RED JACKET’s arrival was expected by her most sanguine friends, and American steamer, which had sailed only the day after the ship, arrived and announced that the clipper was just astern of her. In a few hours the RED JACKET was sighted at the harbor mouth.


She had been boarded at point Linus by several hundred sailors. Two tugs had lines to her, but so great was her speed that they were unable to keep the lines taut. Every stitch of sail was drawing before a stiff northwest wind, and the skip fairly fl ew. The harbor was bright with bunting. The RED JACKET kept grandly on her course and essayed a fast not often attempted. It was usual for vessels to be laid at the pierhead of the dock by a tug. But the RED JACKET came about, threw her yards aback and laid herself up to pierhead with a skill that won the plaudits of all who witnessed the masterly feat. In an instant, by means of the big crew on board, her sails were furled. The next year, 1855, the ship LIGHTING was built by Donald McKay for an English fi rm for the express purpose of beating the RED JACKET’s record. It was afterward claimed that she had succeeded by a few hours, but the claim was always disputed,


and the Rockland people still maintain that their town produced the ship that made the fastest voyage on record between New York and Liverpool.


The RED JACKET never returned to this country under the American fl ag. She was sold for $150,000 to the owners of an Australian packet line, and continued in that business for many years.


27 August 1906


The Sch. M. H. PERKINS Will Be a Total Loss


Fisherman Wrecked Near Rockport, Massachusetts, Early Monday Morning – The Crew Escaped


Rockport, Massachusetts, August 27. – Losing her bearings in the thick fog, the fi shing schooner M. H. PERKINS of Gloucester, went ashore on Salvage’s ledge, off this port, early Monday, and will be a total loss. All the crew reached shore safely. The PERKINS was bound in from


Jeffrey’s bank will a full fare of fi sh. The fog was so dense that Capt. Frank E. Carroll could not make out either of the two lights on Thatcher’s island or the light on Strait’s Mouth. He heard the fog signal on Thatcher’s but the sound was so confused by the mist that he mistook his course and without warning brought up on the rocks. A hole was stove in the vessel’s bottom and she quickly began to fi ll. She was so fast on the ledge, however, that there was no danger of sinking. Three members of the crew of 14 jumped into a dory and after rowing about for two hours succeeded in fi nding Thatcher’s island where they went ashore. They stayed there until the sun came out Monday


MCN's Calendar of Waterfront Events


from Bowdoinham Cathance River to Merrymeeting Bay. Led by an expert guide and narrated by a local environ- mental organization member. Paddle solo or tandem. No experience necessary. Disabilities accommodated. Info: www.MaineMaritimeMu-


seum.org.


29 Bass Harbor Lobster Boat Races Bass Harbor Info: Wayne/Colyn Rich (207) 244-9623


JULY 5 Moosebec Reach Lobster Boat Races


U. S. Coast Guard Station Jonesport


Info: E. Blackwood (207) 598- 6681


12 Hospice of Maine Regatta Southwest Harbor


12-13 Monhegan Race Finish at Camden Portland Yacht Club Falmouth


13 Stonington Lobster Boat Races Town Dock Stonington Info: Nick Wiberg, (207) 348- 2375


13 MDI Series I


13 Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Foundation Cup Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club


26-27 Solo/Twin Race Rockland Yacht Club Rockland


26-27 Seguin Island Trophy Race Southport Yacht Club Southport Island


27 Harpswell Lobster Boat Race Potts Harbor Info: Albert Rose (207) 844- 0346


30 Castine Classic Yacht Symposium The Maine Lobster Boat Maine Maritime Academy Castine


Info: (212) 471-4709


31 Castine Classic Yacht Race Castine to Camden Info: (212) 471-4709


AUGUST 1 Camden to Brooklin Yacht Race


2 Eggemoggin Reach Regatta WoodenBoat Waterfront Brooklin


2-3 Boothbay Yacht Club Regatta Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Boothbay Harbor


14-17 Penobscot Bay Rendezous Wayfarer Marine & Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding Co. Camden/Thomaston


15-17 Belfast Harbor Festival Belfast Info: www.BelfastHarborFest.com


16 Long Island Lobster Boat Races Long Island


Info: Lisa (207) 332-3968/Amy (207) 317-1576


16 Maine Retired Skipper’s Race Maine Maritime Academy Waterfront Castine


7-10 MBH&H Boat Show Rockland


8-10 Downeast Race Weekend Northeast Harbor Fleet Northeast Harbor


9 Winter Harbor Lobster Boat Races Town Dock Winter Harbor


Info: Chris Byers, (207) 963-7139


10 Merritt Brackett Lobster Boat Races State Park Restaurant Pemaquid


Info: Don Drisko& Laurie Crane (207) 677-2432


19 Penobscot Marine Museum Auction & Gala


19-20 Penobscot Pursuit Front Street Shipyard Rockland to Belfast Info: penobscotpursuit.org


3 Tom Morris Memorial Pursuit Race Northeast Harbor Fleet Northeast Harbor


4-6 ASMFC Summer Meeting Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria, VA


16 MS Regatta Portland Yacht Services 58 Fore Street Portland


17 MS Harborfest Lobster & Tug- boat Races Portland Yacht Services Portland


Info: Jon Johansen (207) 223- 8846


22-24 One Championship Marblehead


SEPTEMBER 11-14 Newport International Boat Show


Newport Yachting Centre Newport, RI Info: (401) 846-1115


23-25 New England Fishery Manage- ment Council Meeting


Sea Crest North Falmouth, MA


27 Lightship Race Portland Yacht Club Falmouth


OCTOBER 25 MLBRA Annual Awards Ba- quet


Hollywood Casino Bangor


Info: (207) 223-8846


26-30 ASMFC 73rd Mystic, CT


Annual Meeting


forenoon, then, as the fog had cleared away considerably they rowed across to Land’s End in Rockport. Meanwhile several others of the crew had taken another boat and rowed to Lobloy cove. From there they made their way to the Gap Head life saving station and notifi ed Capt. Bearse of the disaster. Before the life savers had time to get out to the stranded vessel however, the remaining men, including Capt. Carroll, were taken off and brought ashore by Capt. George Dobson, who happened to be in that vicinity in his gasoline, fi shing boat.


The schooner is full of water and as her bottom is badly broken up she cannot be saved. She was owned by Pinkham and Foster of Gloucester, was valued at $2500 and was insured for $2000. She was built at Essex, Massachusetts, in 1876, and registered 50 tons net. She was 74 feet in length, 21 feet in breadth and seven feet in depth.


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