Stories by Ron J .......

[Dan-MO]

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[Ron J]

65 mph, i usally cruise 75 to mid eghties when possible...thats why i like early a.m.

 

[Micheal_R]

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[Wayne in BC]

just amazing to me! I have seen some that make a person feel just bloody tiny and often wondered what would happen if they got really stuck? Expensive and big problem i suspect. Really good pics as usual bud

 

[Ron J]

[attachment 119055 100_1771.jpg]The open view of the Harbor is uplifting... The Park i was about to visit overlooks the harbor from a high advantage of hills..Its called "Fort Allen" .[attachment 119052 100_1776.jpg] Rolling down the steep, but short road to the wall at waters edge, there was an old, pitted Cannon on the side, mounted with a plaque. I couldn't believe what i was reading, The Cannon was from the "Maine"! I think most of you are familiar with the story of "The Maine". I will just mention briefly for those who aren't....The "MAINE" was a WW1 type battleship. During our short skirmish with Spanish, during the Spanish/American War, the USA took charge of Cuba. The "Maine" was anchored in Havana Harbor. It blew up and sunk right there. Mostly submerged... Supposedly it was sabotaged by the Spanish, and part of the cause of the War. Rumors are that it may have blown up, from a careless Sailor on board. Whatever, tensions were high and the sinking didn't help things. The Navy salvaged some equipment,and i assume bodies, or what they could anyway. She sat partially submerged for i believe a couple of years? Finally the USA Navy raised the hulk, and towed her out to Sea, and gave her a proper burial. I have read before, that a Funnel off the "Maine" was set up as a memorial to her Men, locally at a rotary, but i never knew of this Cannon. When i get a chance i shall download the pictures of the plaque and cannon. I am showing you a different Memorial at Fort Allen. It is for the "U.S.S. PORTLAND". This city was extremely proud of their namesake. The "Portland" was a WWII Heavy Cruiser, i would guess, that would be a step down from a Battleship,such as the "Missouri" or the "Arizona". She was commissioned in 1933, served in the Pacific from 1942 -1945. Has been Decorated or honored with 16 Battle stars! The most Decorated Battle Record.[attachment 119053 100_1765.jpg] Need to step back to the Commissioning...1933 was the "Great Depression", ironically like now? Hmmm... It was also Prohibition! You remember that? (i don't) Well NO Liquor, as was custom, to Christen the new Ship. Remember this..A 12 year old girl, Mary Elizabeth Brooks, daughter of Chairman of the Portland Maine City Council, at the time, Christened the new "Portland" with a bottle of Sparkling Water! Near the end of WWII, the "Portland" was "Accepting" the Japanese Surrender on deck,at TRUK, at the same time they were "accepting" the Japanese Surrender on the "Missouri" in Japan! After the War, the "Portland" was used to transport Troops home from overseas. During one of these trips, She received irreparable damage during a Hurricane, and thus was decommissioned early in 1946. The end came in 1959 when She was finally being scrapped. Remember a lot of these ships sat "mothballed" in Philadelphia for years and years. She must of been sitting around,maybe being stripped slowly? Now a Maine Businessman, A Mr. Arthur Forestall, somehow got hold of the "Portland"s Mast tower, Bell, and Bridgesheet, while it was being scrapped in Panama City, Florida, and paid for transportation of the items to Portland Maine! What an Honorable thing to do! I don't know when of how, the items got set up as the Memorial originally, but after 50 years, they were deteriorating from rust and weather. Luckily an ex-Marine, a Bill Whitten, got involved, an somehow got the items refurbished. I assume, sandblasted, and refinished properly. A few Business's donated funds for the restoration. They look in great condition today. Here is where the young girl comes back into the picture.... On November 11, 2008 , after 75 years of the Original Commissioning of the "U.S.S. Portland" ,The City had a "Re dedication and Commissioning" Ceremony of the refurbished Park. AND..Elizabeth Brooks Doughty rechristened the Memorial with real Champagne! Now that had to be a moving moment.....[attachment 119051 100_1761.jpg][attachment 119054 100_1762.jpg] Click the pix to ENLARGE! [attachment 119056 100_1767.jpg]

 

[Ron J]

I am sure someone pulled some strings somewhere to get a real Anchor. I would think the cost of making an Anchor just for a Memorial would be too expensive. Anchors, like anything can be gotten if you know the right people. I spied a fuel tanker across the harbor, being scrapped. Was the bow section of a vessel, still floating and quite large. Assume it was cut at a sealed wall. Looked odd sitting there.

 

[Dan-MO]

I remember well from history classes in school all those years ago that the battle cry during the Spainish American war was "REMEMBER THE MAIN!"

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

Surely you did more than just visit this memorial park, right? I am enjoying reading about this and hope there is more to tell. Your stories are always interesting...Thanks for sharing. Please have a great day! Kelley (Texas)

 

[Ron J]

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[Micheal_R]

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[ojm bc]

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[Kelley (Texas)]

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[Ron J]

Leaving Fort Allen , i was content on seeing this Memorial ,and being able to get the photo's to save the memories.... Didn't know what i may find next, but it was still early in the morning, so headed to a Flea Market i had read about the night before. Twenty minutes later, i was walking in an old Elks club / Bingo Hall , turned weekend Flea Market. Managed to score a few Postcards of Maine Lighthouses. Speaking to the Gent, i asked how close were these Lights. Within 30 minutes... Here we go..But i had a little business to care of first..the main reason i decided to cruise to Maine was to possibly purchase an Outboard motor, i had been shopping for. Turns out the Marine store i was looking for, was 5 minutes up the street, from the Flea Market!. Well, 45 minutes later, business completed, i was on my way to South Portland, over the Casco Bay Bridge, to Cape Elizabeth.[attachment 119158 100_1786.jpg] The entrance to the City, tells it all... Having following directions to the Light, i finally reached the destination, Fort Williams. This location is an old WW ll fort. Mounds, hidden barracks,cement gun mounts, the whole works. Fort Williams dates back to 1873 and was still a military installation until 1964! Driving through, you couldn't help but think about the activity's that must of happened here... But my interest was the Lighthouse. Viewing it was breathtaking..what a location overlooking the Atlantic, with Portland Harbor to Port, a second Lighthouse straight out, and the wide open Atlantic shining to Starboard! Here is a couple of the postcards..[attachment 119159 ScannedImage-2.jpg][attachment 119160 ScannedImage.jpg] And here is the real deal....[attachment 119161 100_1801.jpg][attachment 119162 100_1793.jpg] And a close up of the middle Light..[attachment 119163 100_1802.jpg] More to come.....Rj

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

The third picture, if you look carefully, it shows a lighthouse out in the water. Is this the same light house as the one in your last picture? Also, in the last picture, the one with the light house in the water, in the back ground to the left there appears to be some structure built out into the water...what is it? It amazes me that there are no trees around that house by the light house. This is an interesting trip, looking forward to the next part. Thanks for posting this story. Kelley (Texas)

PS: What camera are you using?

 

[Ron J]

carry at least two camera's, and sometimes a mini-cam in case..Was just luck finding out about them, snooping around, and finding the postcards, while in Maine. Yes that is the same Lighthouse off in the distance, the structure, you are talking about, was probably either the base of an old building, that is long gone, or could have been a docking pier, for a supply boat, or to drop the Keeper off. Years ago, all Lighthouse's had Keepers, and some had thier family's living with them. Now all Lighthouse's are Solar powered, EXCEPT Boston Light , which still has a Keeper. More pictures / history in Pt 4 soon...... Thank You all for your interest!! Rj

 

[Ron J]

I neglected to mention, this is Portland Head Light you have been viewing![attachment 119186 100_1813.jpg] This Lighthouse was the First established Light on the New England coast by our new government in lit on January 10, 1791. The first lightkeeper was appointed by George Washington. This cannon was on the grounds, no doubt underwater for a length of time, along with this bell. No mention of them though...[attachment 119187 100_1798.jpg][attachment 119194 100_1800.jpg] Still in operation, there is a Fog Signal in this building, and regardless of the sign, i don't think i would want to be too close if it was sounding off![attachment 119195 100_1818.jpg][attachment 119196 100_1814.jpg] more to come......Rj

 

[Ron J]

I don't know anything about this Wreck, but appears someone is keeping the memory alive! I would not want to have to climb there to paint! [attachment 119198 100_1810.jpg][attachment 119199 100_1815.jpg] This Postcard isn't marked, but i would bet, its the wreck that is being referred too.[attachment 119200 ScannedImage-3.jpg]...............This Lighthouse is located more in the Harbor area, closer to the Portland waterfront, Called Spring Point Ledge Light. Notice the Lifeboat, hanging from the decking...No doubt had a full time Keeper also..Remember in those days, the Lights were lit by Whale Oil!!! [attachment 119201 ScannedImage-4.jpg][attachment 119202 100_1778.jpg][attachment 119204 ScannedImage-5.jpg] And that My Friends, concludes my Road Trip, "Down East" !! Enjoy!! Rj

 

[Sunny]

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[Cupajo]

Some of the older light houses along the eastern seaboard have been sold and are now private residences. I can't imagine living in a light house. Some of them around the world, especially on the North Sea off Britian, are vertually submerged by waves during huge storms.

Great photos Ron! Thanks for showing us your work/hobby/passion!

 

[Sunny]

Seems as though Annie Magure is still fondly remembered till this day! I would love to hear the story about that one!