A complete archive of mail from July 2005

July 29
THE MOUNTAINS OF PORTSMOUTH
Thanks for giving me the laugh of the day. I hadn't realized that the White Mountains were so close to Portsmouth!!! I also loved the inclusion of covered wagon--such an important form of transportation for early settlers. Love your site.
E. Brooke Harlowe
St. Paul, MN

July 24
WHEN HALIFAX BLEW UP
I liked your piece on the man-made explosion at Portsmouth. I thought you might find this interesting. The Halifax Explosion blew out windows 60 miles away, and was felt by some as far as 300 miles away. 2000 dead, 9,000 injured in the explosion.
Helen & Lauren

EDITOR’S REPLY: Yes, a terrible tragedy. We’ve been to the Halifax museum and seen the incredible display there on the explosion. Our big explosion in 1905 was created on purpose and no one died. Very different events, for sure.

July 20
TALL SHIPS OF THE PAST
I am trying to find out the tall ships that have visited Portsmouth Harbor in the past three years. I have a photo of one of them going under the Memorial Bridge and I cannot figure out which ship it is. Did the USS Constitution visit here? It kind of looks like that ship. I believe the ship I am looking for visited two or three years ago.
Kim Boulay

EDITOR’S REPLY: It wasn’t Old Ironsides since it has not been by here since 1931. You will find pix of Ironsides in that section. And our shots of past ships are disbursed throughout The Shipyard section, both are in MARITIME HISTORY.

July 8
SAVE THAT STEAMER
I have a steamer trunk that I have had since I was a child. It was made by None better US trunks in Fall River Mass. I cannot find any information on this company. It recently went through a flood with me and is now discolored on the outside. I can tell there is some kind of wood under neath the vinal/leather on the outside. Is it repairable? It has brass fittings with a leather handle. I doubt it is worth much but I have had it for a while since I am now 42 years old.
Ronna

PAT MORSE FROM TRUNK.com RESPONDS: Your steamer trunk made by United States Trunk Company in Fall River, MA. Sounds like a later version. Without a picture it's difficult to advise you on how to deal with your trunk or what the value is. However, if the outer covering is a composition-like material, which was used on later trunks, I would urge you not to try to take it off. The body of the trunk is likely made of plywood and moisture would warp it and cause the layers to separate. If cosmetics is all you are concerned about then you could clean the outside with soap and water and a cloth, wipe it dry, then paint it. I would use a Rustoleum type of paint. If it is black, use a satin finish paint. In fact what ever color you paint it, a satin finish would be preferable. Good luck,

July 6
GOT MILDEW IN HER ANTIQUE TRUNK
Heard about your books and trunk shop. How can I get the mildew smell out of my steamer trunk?
Kris in Ohio

PAT MORSE FROM TRUNK.com REPLIES: Here¹s how we usually deal with it: (1). Strip the trunk of its lining. They are usually lined with paper or cloth. Sometimes this will almost fall off in your hands. Other times it is very difficult to remove, especially in certain cases where cardboard is used in the lid or base of the trunk and glued in. (2) After every trace of lining is removed, wash out the inside of the trunk with hot soap and water (something like Murphys soap). Now use a 10% bleach/water solution to kill the mildew. Rinse with wet cloths. Dry it with Towels. Let it sit until it is completely dry. A little time in the sun won’t hurt at this point as sunshine is one of the best things for killing mold, but watch for warping. (3) Now sand down the inside and vacuum it out. (4) Next, apply at least two coats of oil based urethane, letting it dry between coats. (Make sure you have plenty of ventilation during this process). You are now ready to reline your trunk and will not be bothered again by that musty odor.

July 5
KEEPER PROUD OF LIGHTHOUSE KIDS
We are delighted to know there is something being done with our young people and a teacher that has a concern regarding history of the lighthouse on White Island. My husband, Leroy Bartlett Webber, Jr. served at the lighthouse during the time he was in the Coast Guards. Our families took a boat cruise to the Islands and wanted the families to know about White Island, a bit of history to pass onto the families.

We are proud of what is being done to provide some of the heritage and to think the involvement of our young people have been part of caring for trying to raise concerns and getting the State to show an interest.We are proud of Lighthouse Kids and may they continue to endure and prove that a group of caring people can overcome negative thinking. Proud, yes we are.

Thank you for letting me share with you our thankfulness for the continuing work that is being done.Sincerely
Leroy and Virginia Webber, Getzville, NY

July 3
OLD WRITER’S ON STAR
In 1972 and 1973 I attended writers' conferences , the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Annual Star Island Writers ' Conferences. Actually they were poetry workshops. Could you tell me if these are still being held, and if so give me contact information for attending.
Ella Gale

EDITOR’S REPLY: Thanks to the magic of the Internet, the Star Island Conference catalog is now available online.

July 2
FRIENDS OF FISHLEY
We talked by email a while ago about the George Fishley daguerreotypes (one of which I own). I thought you'd enjoy this story of mine, which is in today's Deseret Morning News. Feel free to share it with anyone who might be interested. Very best wishes,
Joe Bauman

OUTISDE LINK:
A Patriot of the Revolution
New York City pulled out all the stops for the Fourth of July, 1853. Military units and veterans of the War of 1812 paraded. Carelessness with firearms, said the New York Times, produced "the usual catalogue of small disasters."

July 1
THE GOODWINS OF SOUTH BERWICK
Some of you have been asking about the relationship of Civil War Gov. Ichabod Goodwin of New Hampshire, whose house is preserved at Strawbery Banke, to the Goodwin Brothers, Ichabod and John Wallingford, in our newly acquired painting from Mervyn Bronson and Burton Trafton, Jr. It appears that Gov. Goodwin and the two boys in the paintings had grandfathers who were brothers. So what does that make them? Second cousins?

The boys (Ichabod 1819-1869, John W. 1825-1911) were grandsons of Gen.Ichabod Goodwin (1743-1829) of Old Fields, South Berwick. Here's ourWriteup.

Governor Ichabod Goodwin (1796 - 1882) was born in North Berwick. He attended Berwick Academy (as did ALL these Goodwins -- Gen. Goodwin was a founder), and went into business in Portsmouth with South Berwick-born Samuel Lord, a banker.
Wendy Persig, Old Berwick Historical Society