CHAPTER XXII

HARPSWELL NECK

This long neck of scenic beauty is a close neighbor of Orr's Island. It lies to the north, northwest and can be reached by auto via the rotary traffic circle at Brunswick, Maine.

Many stories and tales have been written about Harpswell, some fact and others legend. Each has its own place in American literature. Located on the east side of the Harpswells is the site of the Skolfield Shipyard. This yard was the birthplace of many rugged sea-going vessels. Some were three masted and others six. These full-rigged ships sailed into practically every seaport along the Atlantic Coast. A visit to this site will be worth your time. The next stop on our tour of Harpswell might be the old meeting house where the early settlers held their town meetings and discussed the Indian problem. The area near the meeting house would be a good hunting ground for your detector, but please don't forget to secure trespassing rights before you proceed with your search.

One of the phantom legends of Harpswell, and perhaps one of the best, was put into poetry by one of America's best known poets; namely, John Greenleaf Whittier. His poem was called, "The Dead Ship of Harpswell." It was written in 1866 and was inspired by the legendary tale told to the younger set by their grandfathers and grandmothers. I suppose a few great-grandmothers and grandfathers also told the ghostly tale. The preceding words of phantom legend will give you a bit of atmosphere when you arrive on Harpswell.

As you go down this peninsula check all coves and inlets with your instrument. Leave nothing uninvestigated, as this area is one of several that was abandoned in the late 1600's due to Indian uprisings.

I would give my special attention to Pott's Point; this point is located on the very end of the neck and a good place for pirates or smugglers to land and hide a chest of doubloons, pieces-of-eight or other booty taken from some poor unfortunate vessel that came into their grasp. Check the beach area, then go into the interior of the "Point." Many treasures have been buried under a large tree or boulder that was a thousand yards from the shore. If you see a rocky cave or large boulder check them for mysterious markings, such as crosses, circles, arrows and such, carved or cut into the rocky surface. Some of these hidden treasures have been located by following a crude direction sign left by a cut-throat on a rocky ledge or in a rocky cave.

Use your probing rods as you check with the detector. The exact center of the location of any buried object can be determined much more easily with the probe. Your camera also is a much needed piece of equipment. You can record your treasure hunting progress on film for viewing by your interested treasure-seeking friends. Study your movies or still pictures with your associates. Maybe some suggestions by them would be of real help to you on your next treasure expedition.