The sun was out Wednesday morning and Linda,
Fay and I took advantage of it by riding the Casco Bay Transit Mailboat
Run. We rode the 98' Maquoit II, a working ferry boat, which carries
passengers, mail and freight to Little Diamond, Great Diamond, Long, Cliff
and Chebeague Islands. It was a beautiful 2 hour 45 minute ride, which
not only stopped at those islands, but passed many others, along with forts,
lighthouses and boats of many styles and sizes.
Local residents got on and off at each port, while mail
and freight was loaded or unloaded. It felt like we had a glimpse into
the lives of people on the Islands of Casco Bay.
Timberwind
This 98' schooner was built in 1931 and was once a Portland pilot boat.
It now does excursions and tours.
Portland Observatory
This maritime signal tower was built in 1807 to communicate by flag
with ships hours before they arrived in harbor.
It operated until 1923, but is now an observation tower and landmark.
Bug Light (also known as Portland Breakwater Light)
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse with Fort Preble at the right
Nomad lobster boat with Portland Head Lighthouse in the distance
Fort Gorges on Hog Island Ledge in Casco Bay
Fort Gorges was built during the Civil War, but technological advances
during the war made
the fort obsolete before it was completed and troops were never stationed
there.
The first stop was Little Diamond Island, which
had multiple passengers getting off or on, but will have less than 10 residents
(if any) over the winter. There were multiple golf carts on shore and another
at the end of the dock, but after some consultation, that golf cart was
loaded onto the top deck.
Loading a golf cart onto the Maquoit II
