September 2015 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 25.


Capt. Samuel Bartlett of Orrington, was a merchant ship builder and owner. He built the fi rst vessel in Orrington in the cove now known as Bartlett’s Cove just above Bald Hill. During the French Revolution he and his ship “SALLY” were detained in a French port from1794 to 1796. Many years since the house of his grandson, George Brooks of Orrington, was burned and all of Capt. Bartlett’s papers were consumed.


The First Steamer on the Penobscot River.


Some late newspaper correspondents have not been correct in their dates about this steamer. The following is from the Hancock Gazette and Penobscot Patriot, of Belfast, May 26, 1824: “On Saturday last, May the 22, there arrived here the steamboat MAINE, over 100 tons burthen, under the command of the enterprising Captain Seward Porter. This is the fi rst boat propelled by steam which entered the waters of the Penobscot. It excited much interest among us, and marks a very interesting era in the history of our navigation.”


The same afternoon she took an excursion to Castine, and the next day, Sunday, the 23d, she left for Bangor. I copy from the Bangor Register of May 27, 1824: “Steamboat – On Sunday evening last arrived here the steamboat MAINE, Captain Cram (or Lunt), Capt. (Seward) Porter, the principal agent of the Kennebec Steam Navigation Company, came in her. We learn he contemplates making this river a branch of that line provided suitable encouragement is given. The subject has created some interest in this town, but whether the contemplated arrangement will take place is uncertain. So novel a sight as a steamboat on the Penobscot, where one had never before been seen, and without previous notice, occasioned a very pleasing surprise. On Monday morning a voyage was proposed and at 9 o’clock 120 persons went on board and were safely transported to Bucksport. After remaining there about one hour they re-shipped themselves and returned to Bangor in the afternoon.” They had a good time, a good dinner and extras. The steamer MAINE measured 105 tons and with a second hand engine, cost $13,000. Capt. Seward Porter, a merchant of Portland, bought the steamer “PATIENT” in New York in 1823, and brought her to Portland in July, 1823, to run as a passenger boat between Portland and Boston. She was the fi rst steamboat ever brought into Maine. After this time Capt. Porter was much interested in the steamboat business. He was the pioneer in Maine in it.


It is said that this steamer MAINE run occasionally to the Penobscot River but not regularly.


27 November 1896


The Captain is Missing And He is a Maine Man – Capt. Wm. H. Howes of the Schooner L. V. BEEBE. Boston, November 27. – Capt. Wm. M. Howes of the schooner LEANDER V. BEEBE now in this port has been missing since last Monday, and it is generally believed that he has absconded with the vessel’s freight money amounting to nearly $2000.


The schooner arrived here November


4 with a cargo of cotton. Capt. Howes was considered thoroughly reliable and honest he is a widower and belongs in Winterport, Maine, where he has two children. He gained considerable notice last January by rescuing the greater portion of the Cuban fi libustering expedition on board the steamer J. W. HAWKINS which sank off


HISTORY FROM THE PAST - Bangor Daily Commercial - Early 1900s offi cer is now on board.


Montauk point, January 28, Capt. Howes’s vessel was in the immediate vicinity. He has been a frequent visitor at the headquarters of the Cuban Junta in New York when his vessel was at that port and Capt. L. V. Bube, the owner of the schooner, stated today that he would not be surprised to learn that Captain Howes had gone to Cuba in the interest of the insurgents’ cause.


5 January 1897 To Save Bram’s Neck


Counsel are Preparing to Make a Strong Contest – Booth Says he was Misquoted. Bram’s counsel are preparing for one of the greatest contests ever waged to save a man’s life. No stone will be left unturned to keep Mate Bram from the gallows. Public sympathy is with Bram. Hundreds of men are fi rmly convinced that there was not evidence enough to convict and they hoped for a disagreement. Few persons will openly declare that they believe he should have been acquitted. The point in all discussions seems to be that there should have been another trial and a clearer presentation of the case. Bram’s mail has been large since


Sunday. Cranks have sent him advice and suggestions, but he has thrown aside all such communications after reading.


United States Marshal Service sent a communication o the jail this morning requesting that no person except his counsel be allowed to see Bram and no outsiders be permitted to talk with the witnesses. The latter cannot see Bram and he cannot talk with them. The sailors are feeling quite well. They get good living and as much or more pay than they would on shipboard, without working. They do not complain at the confi nement. It is not likely they will be allowed their liberty until the case is settled. The cost of the trial to the government is not far from $10,000.


The morning papers printed an interview with Harry Booth, one of the Bram jury, in which he was quoted as saying that he, and he thought four others of the jury, were ready to sign an affi davit that in agreeing to the verdict of guilty they would to do so against their convictions; that while they may have believed Bram guilty they did not consider his guilt established beyond doubt by the evidence that the verdict was the result of the belief that, under the court’s charge, they were permitted but two courses to fi nd the guilty or not guilty and could not report a disagreement; that the court was understood to have practically declared that the minority; that, in his opinion, the jury was not properly instructed.


An evening paper prints an interview with Booth in which he characterizes the morning publication as a “garbled and distorted statement” of what he said and that certain parts of it never issued from him. He accuses the reporter of breaking faith by publishing any part of their conversation and says: “I never said anything about coercion and don’t think anything like that now.”


25 June 1898 Arrested the Schooner.


United States Deputy Marshall Smith Puts Keeper Aboard WILLARD SAULSBURY for a Debt.


On Friday afternoon, Deputy United States Marshal Burton Smith, of Portland, arrived in Bangor, with papers from the United States District court in Portland. He at once proceeded to Hathorn’s dock, Bangor, blow High head, and there placed under arrest the schooner WILLARD SAULSBURY, for a debt held against her by E. & I. K. Stetson, of this city. Marshal Smith named Calvin H. Gray, of Brewer, keeper of the vessel, and that


The case against the SAULSBURY will be heard in court at Portland on July 9, before Judge Webb.


7 January 1899 The New CIMBRIA Famous Steamer will be all Changed.


Will be a Modern Craft and of Greater Speed.


When Spring Comes She will Return to Her Old Route.


When the steamer, CIMBRIA is launched in the spring she will be practically a new boat. Work is progressing rapidly in the rebuilding so that when the Bangor & Bar Harbor Steamboat Co., resumes its service the steamer will be ready to return to the route.


As will be remembered the boat struck a ledge at Bass Harbor last fall while on her way to Bangor from Bar Harbor and was in such a dangerous position that for several days it was expected that she would go to pieces, so fi erce was the storm that raged while she was on the rock. Finally, however, with the aid of one of Ross & Howell’s powerful tugs she was gotten off and was towed safely to Bangor. Upon her arrival here she was immediately put onto the railway in Brewer.


When the alterations are completed she will be in strength and durability, as good as new, and will naturally be more modern than before.


When the steamer was hauled out on the marine railway and an examination made it was found that the cabins and decks were badly damaged and it was decided to remove them and to thoroughly rebuild the hull. A large number of new frames have been put in and new ceilings and keelsons. New timbers under the engine, an entirely new deck and cabins, are also among the improvements. On the lower or main deck, forward, of


the CIMBRIA when she is completed, will be the freight room which will contain the boiler room. Aft of the boilers will be the engine room. The lavatory will be on the port side abreast the engine room. On the other side of the engine room will be the cookroom.


The dining saloon will be on this deck aft and will be a much more roomy and better lighted cabin than before. Off from the dining room will open the ladies’ cabin which will have a stairway leading directly above into the main saloon. The women’s and men’s toilet rooms will contain modern plumbing and sanitary arrangements. The main saloon on the saloon deck, as planned, is entirely different from the former one. It is to be built so as to allow a walk completely around on the deck outside and will have more windows and more seating capacity than before. It will be 50 feet long, and 16 feet in width in the widest part. The forward end of the saloon will contain the ticket and one stateroom, the stairway to the dining room will be near the center and in there after end there will be a stateroom and the gangway to the ladies’ cabin below.


Four doors will connect the saloon with the deck outside.


Under the pilothouse, forward, there will be a gangway leading to the forward deck below.


The masts will not be replaced, but instead there will be a fl agstaff at both the bow and stern. Two boilers of the safety water tube type are being built at Providence which will furnish higher steam than was ever used on the CIMBRIA and it is expected that when the boat resumes her route at the usual time in the spring that she will be a speedy craft and will be even more than in the past.


Continued on Page 26.


Thank you to the Sponsors of the 2015 MS Harborfest Lobster Boat Races in Portland.


You helped make the event a success!


Andy's Old Port Pub Brooks Trap Chase Leavitt Co.


Custom Float Service DiMillo's Marina Global Partners H & H Propeller Hamilton Marine Holland Boat


Kennedy Marine Maine Marine Supply Marine Hydraulic Engine New England Fish Co. New England Marine


North Shore Axle & Machine Portland Yacht Services


Proprietors of Union Wharf R. E. Thomas Marine Hardware Reo Marine


Richard Stanley Custom Boats Royal River Boat Yard S. W. Boatworks


Scott Dugas Construction


Smithwick & Mariners Insurance Yankee Marina


A special thanks goes out to all of the racers and volunteers who attended and helped out in many ways!


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