The Crossing

Illustrated. 208 pp. Newark: New Jersey Historical Society We often forget that a group of fishermen and merchant mariners was important to America’s success in the Revolutionary War. Without them, George Washington and his troops surely would have perished after being defeated by the British at Brooklyn, N.Y. Without them, Washington and his retreating army

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What the election meant

Now that November’s electoral dust has (almost) settled, we might ask ourselves the question, what do the recent elections mean for the Maine coast and islands? On a national level at first glance, many Maine coast interests appear to come out winners in Washington. Senator Collins’ victory gives her the Chair of the powerful Government

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Good Signs

If they’re successful, four research projects now underway in different parts of the Gulf of Maine will give us new insights into a number of important resources. East of Cape Cod, a veteran hook fisherman is trying to figure out what cod eat and when they eat it. He has teamed up with the Northeast

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Matters of concern

We know that the Coast Guard, the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Casco BayKeeper have all signed off on the Portland Pipe Line’s recent dredging and pier-improvement project. We hope that the improvements will result in an oil-handling operation that’s safer and more environmentally sound than ever. But something isn’t being said here:

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One more reach

To the editor: I very much enjoyed [Philip Conkling’s] description in the November WWF of what a reach is, but I have an addition to your list: Fiddler’s Reach on the Kennebec. I note this for the simple reason that my wife and I spent many delightful hours there on the Maine Maritime Museum’s SUMMERTIME

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Shoreline access

To the editor: Thank you for running the picture of the “gated coast” (WWF Nov. 2002), keeping the loss of shoreline access forefront in people’s minds. The Friends of Martinsville Beach has a board of directors meeting weekly in an effort to restore established access. The board has incorporated and applied for 501 (c) (3)

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Racing under sail

To the editor: Sandra Dinsmore’s report on the damage to lobster gear seems to overlook the fact that the New York Yacht Club boats race under sail between ports without using their engines, and skippers are very careful to avoid fouling traplines, which would certainly impair their chances for success in the race. Fair Winds!

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January plunge planned

For many, it’s challenge enough to brave the ocean waters of Maine during the summer months. And, for most, late autumn is when it is finally time to put to rest any notion of swimming until the next summer. Yet, on Chebeague Island, this is precisely the time when many of the teenagers and adults

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