Ghosting Along

Leaving the delights of Camden far behind, WJ3 turned her nose down Penobscot Bay to our next over-nighter, Tenants Harbor.  We anchored for the night in a cosy Long Cove (with its 12 foot tidal range!!) after negotiating a current filled Muscle Ridge Channel.  Again, we passed any number of tranquil anchorages.  A restored lightkeeper’s house on Southern Island at the entrance to Tenants is home to the current generation of Wyeth’s, famous for painting Maine seascapes and portraiture.

An early start, again!

Plans go astray as always.  Our next stop was to be remote and barren Damariscove Island (Boothbay Harbor region).  Once this island was home to a major trade centre and the earliest permanent European settlement in the New World – it seems hard to believe it when you see it.  Even the Mayflower stopped here in 1620 to trade for food. (“Trust the Europeans”, said the Cap’n, “heard the pilgrims were on their way so headed out and opened up a shop ready for ‘em.”)  Things changed somewhat when in 1676 settlers in Maine fled to outlying islands to escape the Indian Wars.  However, Damariscove was attacked and again in 1689.  The island’s unfortunate owner was killed aboard his sloop and his body later washed ashore.  It is said that a headless Captain Pattishall and his faithful dog still walk the headlands on foggy nights.  Well, we won’t be meeting him because the wind was blowing straight into Damariscove’s harbour.  With some daylight left, we set our sights on Portland and more windjammers.  And ocean liners…

Feeling a bit chilly 

From: Castine, ME  Lat/Long: 44 27N  68 46W  Date/Time: 11/9/10: 1045

To: Portland, ME  Lat/Long: 43 39N  70 12W  Date/Time: 13/9/10: 1720
Time Taken: 111nm (18.5hrs)  Distance (this year): 982nm (182.5hrs)
Distance Total (since 2008): 4622nm (881.5hrs)   Fastest Speed: 7.4kts (whoo hoo)**
Weather: Winds SE-S-SW 5-10kts; Seas 1-2ft; overcast;
(** Confirmed today there are NO fish in the sea only lobster pots)

Nice Sunsets at Cocktail Hour too!