Damariscove Island
Encyclopedia
Damariscove is an uninhabited island that is part of Boothbay Harbor, Lincoln County
, Maine
, United States
, about 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) off the coast at the mouth of the Damariscotta River
. The long, narrow island is approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) long and 1500 feet (457.2 m) at its widest point. The island has served in the past as a fishing settlement, and a Coast Guard
Life Saving Station.
of Plymouth Colony
were facing starvation in the spring of 1622, they sent a boat to Damariscove to beg for assistance. The fishermen responded by filling the colonists boat with cod
which helped ensure the Pilgrim's survival.
Damariscove had become a thriving community when in 1671, Massachusetts Bay Colony
laid claim to the island, extending their eastern borders. Over the next few years, the Massachusetts General Court
established a local government there, and appointed a military officer and constable. The court also granted a license for a house of entertainment, while assessing taxes for the first time.
On August 20, 1676, in the aftermath of King Philip's War
, a massive Native American
assault attacked and burned every settlement east of the Kennebec River
, including the nearby settlement of Pemaquid
. Approximately 300 Refugees from Pemaquid, Boothbay, Damariscotta
and Sheepscot converged on the island seeking shelter. Despite the presence at the time of farms, a fort and a tavern, there were not enough provisions to support this many refugees. When nearby Fisherman's Island was attacked a few days later, everyone crowded into boats and fled to the better protected Monhegan Island
to the east. Despite additional attacks in 1697 and 1725, Damariscove Island survived as a fishing station.
By the time of the American Revolution
, farming had begun to play a significant role on the island. Just prior to the Burning of Falmouth
in 1775, Captain Henry Mowatt raided the island, burning at least one home to the ground. Historical records show that Mowatt's forces carried off seventy-eight sheep and three hogs.
By the late 19th century, most farming and fishing had moved elsewhere, while many of the surrounding areas, such as Squirrel Island
, Southport
and Boothbay Harbor were developing into resort communities. The remaining inhabitants of Damariscove Island primarily made a living dairy farming, with some additional income from fishing and running an ice house with ice harvested from the fresh water pond on the island. The produce was delivered by boat to local hotels and summer communities. As recently as 1914, there was a large enough population on the island to establish a school, but by 1917, enough families had moved off the island for the school to close.
was built on the island in response to the frequent shipwrecks on the ledges and shoals that surround the island. The station, which still stands today at the southern end of the harbor, was manned by the United States Life-Saving Service
and then the U.S. Coast Guard until 1959. The station was entered into the National Register of Historic Places
in 1987.
.
named Damariscove, together with Monhegan and Boon
islands as test sites for offshore deepwater wind power
technologies. The legislation permits testing off Damariscove for three years, with the intent that successful tests would lead to a permanent wind farm
further offshore. Critics have called for careful oversight to ensure that local lobster fisheries and migratory bird paths are not affected.
Lincoln County, Maine
Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of 2010, the population was 34,457. Its county seat is Wiscasset. It was founded in 1760 and named after the English city Lincoln. At its founding, it accounted for three-fifths of the State's land, and stretched east to Nova...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, about 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) off the coast at the mouth of the Damariscotta River
Damariscotta River
The Damariscotta River is a tidal river in Lincoln County, Maine, that empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Damariscotta is an old Abenaki word for "river of many fishes"...
. The long, narrow island is approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) long and 1500 feet (457.2 m) at its widest point. The island has served in the past as a fishing settlement, and a Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
Life Saving Station.
History
The earliest residents of the island were the Abenaki, who called the island Aquahega or "place of landing." As early as 1604, the island was settled as a commercial fishing enterprise. Captain John Smith charted the island as "Damerils Iles" after a visit in 1614, with the name traditionally attributed to Humphrey Damarill, allegedly one of the early fishermen there. By 1622, the island was home to 13 year-round fishermen, with 2 shallops in the winter and up to 30 sailing ships fishing the waters in the spring. When the PilgrimsPilgrims
Pilgrims , or Pilgrim Fathers , is a name commonly applied to early settlers of the Plymouth Colony in present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States...
of Plymouth Colony
Plymouth Colony
Plymouth Colony was an English colonial venture in North America from 1620 to 1691. The first settlement of the Plymouth Colony was at New Plymouth, a location previously surveyed and named by Captain John Smith. The settlement, which served as the capital of the colony, is today the modern town...
were facing starvation in the spring of 1622, they sent a boat to Damariscove to beg for assistance. The fishermen responded by filling the colonists boat with cod
Cod
Cod is the common name for genus Gadus, belonging to the family Gadidae, and is also used in the common name for various other fishes. Cod is a popular food with a mild flavor, low fat content and a dense, flaky white flesh. Cod livers are processed to make cod liver oil, an important source of...
which helped ensure the Pilgrim's survival.
Damariscove had become a thriving community when in 1671, Massachusetts Bay Colony
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
laid claim to the island, extending their eastern borders. Over the next few years, the Massachusetts General Court
Massachusetts General Court
The Massachusetts General Court is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases...
established a local government there, and appointed a military officer and constable. The court also granted a license for a house of entertainment, while assessing taxes for the first time.
On August 20, 1676, in the aftermath of King Philip's War
King Philip's War
King Philip's War, sometimes called Metacom's War, Metacomet's War, or Metacom's Rebellion, was an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day southern New England and English colonists and their Native American allies in 1675–76. The war is named after the main leader of the...
, a massive Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
assault attacked and burned every settlement east of the Kennebec River
Kennebec River
The Kennebec River is a river that is entirely within the U.S. state of Maine. It rises in Moosehead Lake in west-central Maine. The East and West Outlets join at Indian Pond and the river then flows southward...
, including the nearby settlement of Pemaquid
Pemaquid Archeological Site
Pemaquid Archeological Site, also known as Pemaquid Restoration and Museum or ME 058-1, is an archeological site and park near or at Pemaquid Beach in Bristol, Maine....
. Approximately 300 Refugees from Pemaquid, Boothbay, Damariscotta
Damariscotta, Maine
Damariscotta is a town in Lincoln County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,041 at the 2000 census. A popular tourist resort area, the towns of Damariscotta and Newcastle are linked by the Main Street bridge over the Damariscotta River, forming the "Twin Villages." The name Damariscotta is...
and Sheepscot converged on the island seeking shelter. Despite the presence at the time of farms, a fort and a tavern, there were not enough provisions to support this many refugees. When nearby Fisherman's Island was attacked a few days later, everyone crowded into boats and fled to the better protected Monhegan Island
Monhegan, Maine
Monhegan is a plantation on an island of the same name in Lincoln County, Maine, United States, about off the coast. The population was 75 at the 2000 census. As a plantation, Monhegan's governmental status falls between township and town...
to the east. Despite additional attacks in 1697 and 1725, Damariscove Island survived as a fishing station.
By the time of the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, farming had begun to play a significant role on the island. Just prior to the Burning of Falmouth
Burning of Falmouth
The Burning of Falmouth was an attack by a fleet of Royal Navy vessels on the town of Falmouth, Massachusetts . The fleet was commanded by Captain Henry Mowat...
in 1775, Captain Henry Mowatt raided the island, burning at least one home to the ground. Historical records show that Mowatt's forces carried off seventy-eight sheep and three hogs.
By the late 19th century, most farming and fishing had moved elsewhere, while many of the surrounding areas, such as Squirrel Island
Squirrel Island, Maine
Squirrel Island, Maine is a summer resort colony off the coast of Boothbay Harbor. The origin of the name is unknown, since according to island chronicler Charles McLane "[s]quirrels do not inhabit the island ."Farmers and sheep herders have resided on Squirrel Island since the American...
, Southport
Southport, Maine
Southport is a town in Lincoln County, Maine, United States. The population was 684 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of Southport, West Southport, Cape Newagen, and Squirrel Island.-History:...
and Boothbay Harbor were developing into resort communities. The remaining inhabitants of Damariscove Island primarily made a living dairy farming, with some additional income from fishing and running an ice house with ice harvested from the fresh water pond on the island. The produce was delivered by boat to local hotels and summer communities. As recently as 1914, there was a large enough population on the island to establish a school, but by 1917, enough families had moved off the island for the school to close.
Coast Guard Station
In 1897, the Damariscove Lifesaving StationDamariscove Lifesaving Station
The Damariscove Lifesaving Station is located on Damariscove Island in Boothbay, Maine. The station was built in 1897 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 25, 1987.-History:...
was built on the island in response to the frequent shipwrecks on the ledges and shoals that surround the island. The station, which still stands today at the southern end of the harbor, was manned by the United States Life-Saving Service
United States Life-Saving Service
The United States Life-Saving Service was a United States government agency that grew out of private and local humanitarian efforts to save the lives of shipwrecked mariners and passengers...
and then the U.S. Coast Guard until 1959. The station was entered into the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1987.
Present day
While the island is now uninhabited, Damariscove harbor is still actively used for moorings and storage docks by the local commercial fishing fleet. The island, with the exception of the privately owned life saving station and surrounding area, is owned by the Boothbay Region Land Trust (BRLT). The northern half of the island is a protected nesting site each spring for the Common EiderCommon Eider
The Common Eider, Somateria mollissima, is a large sea-duck that is distributed over the northern coasts of Europe, North America and eastern Siberia. It breeds in Arctic and some northern temperate regions, but winters somewhat farther south in temperate zones, when it can form large flocks on...
.
Wind power test site
In December 2009, Governor John BaldacciJohn Baldacci
John Elias Baldacci is an American politician who served as the 73rd Governor of the U.S. state of Maine from 2003 until 2011. A Democrat, he also served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003....
named Damariscove, together with Monhegan and Boon
Boon Island
Boon Island is a barren piece of land located in the Gulf of Maine 6 miles off the town of York on the Maine coast. The island is approximately 300 by 700 feet in size, and is the site of Boon Island Light, the tallest lighthouse in New England.It was discovered when a coastal trading...
islands as test sites for offshore deepwater wind power
Wind power
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, windmills for mechanical power, windpumps for water pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships....
technologies. The legislation permits testing off Damariscove for three years, with the intent that successful tests would lead to a permanent wind farm
Wind farm
A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce electric power. A large wind farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines, and cover an extended area of hundreds of square miles, but the land between the turbines may be used for agricultural or other...
further offshore. Critics have called for careful oversight to ensure that local lobster fisheries and migratory bird paths are not affected.