Historian Renny Stackpole poses with some of the implements used in whaling.

Working Waterfront

The dirty details of whaling’s glory days

By Nancy Griffin Hunting whales, a practice now roundly condemned by most of the world, once was an important part of New England’s economy in many places—especially so on Nantucket Island off Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Whaling also was a romantic notion for many young boys who yearned for the… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Delaware researchers uncover ‘ghost’ crab pot problem

By Craig Idlebrook A pair of researchers said they were stunned to discover just how many recreational crab pots were abandoned or lost in Rehoboth Bay, a sheltered body of water near Delaware Bay. A survey of 100 acres of shallow water in the watershed found 160 ghost pots, and… SEE MORE

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When ships don’t make it to port

By Stephanie Bouchard Buffeted by merciless winds, the schooner Joseph Luther wrecked on Whaleback Rock on a raw January day at the turn of the last century. Stranded on the rock in a miserable winter storm, the crew was in trouble. A surfboat was launched from the nearby lifesaving station at Popham… SEE MORE

The W. H. Witherle & Co. dock and salt storage building in Castine. Research suggests the casks are filled with salt. PHOTO: COURTESY NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

Working Waterfront

Castine’s ‘Risky Business’ explores another side of town’s history

By Tom Groening Castine is as rich in history as any town on Maine’s coast. The island-like body of land jutting into east Penobscot Bay was occupied and fought over by the French, Dutch, English, and Americans, and even played a key, but disastrous role in the fledgling nation’s war… SEE MORE

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Bucksport’s not-so-overnight transformation

By Susan Lessard The path Bucksport took from “mill town” to something else—including becoming the planned home of a land-based salmon farm and an annex of Maine Maritime Academy—began more than 20 years ago. Local government leaders began setting aside funds for the possible “rainy day” that would come if… SEE MORE

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Following the whale into an array of lessons

By Courtney Naliboff As an island teacher, it is often my duty and pleasure, and that of my colleagues, to take students off-island overnight. We do it for basketball games, we do it for rowing races, we do it for theater festivals. As wonderful as the island is, and as… SEE MORE

At the April 17 open house at Brunswick Landing

Working Waterfront

Maine company deploys energy technology in Alaska

By William Hall//Photos by Michele Stapleton Power-generating technology piloted in Washington County will soon provide a commercial source of electricity in Alaska. The technology’s developer, ORPC Inc., unveiled its RivGen Power System April 17 at a ceremony in Brunswick, attended by Gov. Janet Mills and 150 others. ORPC will… SEE MORE

The medallion originally issued by King James II

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The treasure hunter from Woolwich

By Chris Timm In 1687, a treasure hunter from Woolwich received the highest honors from the king of England. William Phips was born near the banks of the Back River in Woolwich (then known as Nequasset). He apprenticed as a shipbuilder and ran a successful shipyard until it was destroyed… SEE MORE

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Maine lobster fishery agrees to deep cuts to protect whales

By Patrice McCarron Editor’s note: Patrice McCarron is executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. This letter was originally sent to association members, and is reprinted with permission. After a long and difficult week in late April in which the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Mammal Take Reduction Team… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Two of the coast’s biggest economic drivers face threats

By Tom Groening Two of the most brilliant branding achievements have to be putting the word “Vacationland” on our state’s license plate, and marrying the word “Maine” to lobster. The license plate tag, added in the 1930s, is an audacious claim. What makes Maine any more of a vacation destination… SEE MORE