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| READ OUR MAIL September 2000 Mailbag SeacoastNH.com |
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September 28 TACKING TOWARD CELIA I'm trying to find out if Celia Thaxter wrote a poem titled "Tacking Ship Offshore." I have found it attributed to different people in different anthologies, and I suspect it really is a Celia poem. Can you tell me for sure? Thanks for your help. Jayne Higgins jhiggins@niu.edu CELIA EXPERT DONNA TITUS RESPONDS: There is a poem by Celia Thaxter called OFF SHORE. It begins "Rock, little boat, beneath the quiet sky; / Only the stars behold us where we lie, -- / Only the stars and yonder brightening moon......"
I have never heard of one titled TACKING SHIP OFFSHORE. If the above isn't it could you give me the first few lines of Tacking? and I will continue to search. (Titus56park@cs.com)
September 27 E-MAIL FROM A PART-TIME PIRATE I am an actor & was filming a shoot for the History Channel in the Isle of Shoals. A man name Dennis Robinson came out & took pictures & stated that some of them would be on this web. Could you tell me where they would be located & when they will be loaded on the site. Paul J. Bell EeyorePJB@aol.com EDITOR'S REPLY: How about WHAT'S NEW? Amazing as it may be, our pix are online within a couple of hours of returning from Lunging Island today. That may be a new record and one more scoop on the "traditional" local media that hasn't gotten the story yet. http://www.seacoastnh.com/dct/blackbeard1.html September 27 KEN MISSES PORTSMOUTH BOAT I was very surprised to read that a documentarian with Ken Burns' reputation for very thorough research had missed the fairly well known (and easy to find out) fact that the delegates met in New Hampshire and not New York as you say Mr Burns' documentary states. Mark MWard@cabletron.com EDITOR'S REPLY: You and we both. Since Ken is a NH boy we're big fans, but leaving Portsmouth out of the Treaty of Portsmouth… ouch! Mr. Burns was actually about a half block from our office last week promoting his new film JAZZ at the Music Hall Telluride Festival, but we plumb forgot to bring it up. Too late, anyway. We've got another 500 history stories online if he wants to hire us for the next documentary. http://www.seacoastnh.com/navyyard/1905treaty.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/tr/trtguide.html September 26 PRINCE WHIPPLE OR JAMES BROWN? Hello. Enjoyed reading the "Prince Whipple In American Painting".I have inquired about the "Crossing/Delaware" black soldier identity. Sometimes I am told Whipple, sometimes the Oliver Crommwell. However, there is yet another name that has surfaced.
Have you heard of a James Brown of the same time? There were many black soldiers, not to mention the numerous James Browns. Some believe that he was the one historians say was in the picture. J.B. was supposed to be in the American Rev. war/crossing, got some money after service and built a house in NYC. It is a landmark today, with this story attatched. Does this ring a bell?. This info was also on the news a few years back. Not the name Whipple or Crommwell. There is a James Brown in the letter of George Washington via the Library of Congress web, if remember correctly??. No further clues to identity though.
September 25 CLICK, THE MOVIE? Quick question about the movie called Click: I heard that there were, or will be, some scenes filmed up at Hampton Beach. Is this true?? If so, when and where will I be able to see this film?? Is it a major motion picture or just an 'artsy' film that nobody will ever see?? John of Worcester, MA Ohero@webtv.net EDITORS REPLY: Since we're not in the local film clique, we only know what we read in the papers. According to a recent Portsmouth Herald article, Click director Scotty Dugan is still casting about for talent for his feature film to be shot on Hampton Beach, we assume, next summer. The article suggests that he is interested in ex-Survivor "star" Jenna Lewis, a NH native and comedian Carrot Top who performs at the Hampton Beach Casino. http://www.seacoastnh.com/film/ September 21 FIRST SCHOOL REPORT IS DUE ASAP My eighth grade son, Tristan, is writing a report on New Hampshire in the colonial times. Can you suggest any more websites and/or books? His report is due at the end of September, so he doesn't have a lot of time. Ruth oriva@earthlink.net EDITOR'S CHOICE: Ah, the students are back! For books, we suggest a trip to the History Store in Wells, ME (207-641-8823) which is an entire store filled only with US history resources. Or you might visit the NH Historical Society bookstore in Concord at the Museum there. They have the best selection of New Hampshire books in one location. That, and their web site, is where I'd start. There isn't a lot of colonial era info online. A visit to the Damm Garrisson in Dover or one of the many colonial era house museums in NH may provide the motivation to do even more reading. Kids need to SEE the real thing. http://www.nhhistory.org/ http://www.historyconnection.com/ September 19 THE LOST CITY OF PORTSMOUTH? Hi, I have a question about the bike trail that starts at Rockingham Ave in Portsmouth. This trail goes through what looks like an abandoned town. What's the history there? Kevin Benhoff of Portsmouth, NH Kbenhoff@netway.com TODD ELSWORTH OF SABR RESPONDS: Kevin, what you saw was housing for families of former Air Force enlisted personnel at Pease Air Force Base (the current site of Pease Tradeport). After the Air Force left Pease, some in the Seacoast wanted to convert these residences to low-income housing, but the structures were deemed unfit and the cost of making them livable was too high. The buildings were abandoned, then demolished this past summer. http://www.seacoastbikes.com/ September 17 CONTEST WINNER STAR STRUCK Just wanted to drop you a note to say how much I like the t-shirts I won last month. As a matter of fact, I'm wearing one of them as I write this! Also, I realize (now) that I should not have entered for September (your 30 day rule). Sorry. I guess just seeing my "name in lights" as a prize winner for August made me delirious or something. Thanks again for the great prize - and for an interesting and informative site. Rudy K huskifan@yahoo.com September 16 TWO READERS SEEKING ONLINE DINING Do you have info on the Pond View Restaurant located in Kingston, NH? Cynthia cakandrut@emerge.wsicorp.com September 16 Jumpin Jay's Fish Cafe has the best fish I have had in Portsmouth. Please add to your list. Catherine.Keenan@LibertyMutual.com EDITOR'S REPLY: We list only restaurants that have their own web sites. So far that comes to about 200 free listings in our area, which makes us the best darned DINING guide in the region. We called Pond View and they are working on a web site. There is info about them online on a site called dining-out.com and their number is (603) 642-5556. As soon as they show up online, they can link with SeacoastSearch.com. We've heard excellent reviews of Jumpin' Jay's which is about a block from the SeacoastNH.com office. They are currently renovating the second half of the new dining and bar and do not yet have a web site. http://www.seacoastnh.com/dining/ September 13 ROLLIN' ON THE RIVA Tell me please, where is the spot between your beautiful state and the state of Texas, that our dear friends from New Hampshire lose the letter r in their speech...and why is it that it is omitted (seriously) Though I have never minded pouring a glass of "wata" for these fabulous people.? Barb R of Mission, TX nanknee@hotmail.com EDITOR'S REPLY: You've mistaken us linguistically for our neighbors to the South, somewhere near Boston, MA. There one can "Wash the ca' with wata' before going out for chowda." Look into the Merrimack River, or at least the Charles, and you will likely find a rich deposit of floating "r"s. If Washington had thrown a silver dollar from New Hampshire, it would have landed as a "dolla" in Massachusetts. Certainly in NH and Maine, we do a bit bedda job of sounding our "r". September 13 MINNESOTA HOME FROM SEACOAST TOUR Can you believe we just returned from a four week trip to New England and had the privilege of spending a whole day on Star Island? Not only did we have a magnificent trip and wonderful days in Maine and New Hampshire, but came home to our e-mail to find Seacoast NH.com Newsletter awaiting us. What a finish! Just had to tell you how much I appreciate receiving the monthly greeting from my favorite seacoast!!! Joan J of Minnesota Jljmjohn@aol.com http://www.seacoastnh.com/shoals/index.html September 12 A BOUQUET OF LEAVES I liked your fall foliage photos printed earlier and am hoping to see more. Someone sent me a host of places to go on the net to see Fall foliage. I appreciate everyone's help. Fall was my mother's favorite time of the year. My dad always said that my mother would rather have a bouquet of Fall leaves than roses. When he had the chance, he would bring her limbs with the beautifully colored leaves and she would put them in vases around the house. They were lovely. gladys paradowski gladysmp@wt.net EDITOR'S REPLY: And so much cheaper than roses! We'll have to try that one out at home. Reports are that we will have a glorious leaf-peeper season this year in New England. Speaking of pretty and pretty cheap, don't forget that our affordable new color book has plenty of fall pictures for less than the price of a roses. Marianne's fall photos from the year before are also linked below. http://www.seacoastnh.com/store/index.htm http://www.seacoastnh.com/arts/photospernold/index.html September 11 EL HABANERO DOS GRAMPA SCOTT? Great Grampa Scott's Chowder is so incredibly excellent, I had to write and tell you thank you for the recipe. The only alteration we did was add two dashes of worcestershire sauce, two dashes of Habanero sauce (Sontava brand), and the juice of one key lime. To cry over when the dish is gone!!! Daniel durbina@mail.utexas.edu EDITOR'S REPLY: Ouch! We can accept Worcestershire sauce since Grampa Scott worked for the Worcester Fire Dept and our editor was both there, but what's that other stuff? If it's hot sauce, well, he was a fireman. But we take no responsibility for visits from the ghost of Grampa Scott who did not take lightly to people messing with perfection. We suggest you sleep with the door locked. http://www.seacoastnh.com/arts/please011898.html September 10 WANTS US TO "GET INTO" PRISON More info on The Castle naval prison, pls! It looks like a place rich in history and anecdotes... Angela in New London, NH disney_gypsy@usa.net EDITOR'S REPLY: Yes, we must get out there and do a full piece. We go by it regularly, like today, on the way back from three days on the Isles of Shoals, or days before when tracking the Viking ship. Most of the anecdotes will be tales of sadness and agony, however, since this was just about the most feared military prison in the USA. As many as 3,000 men were incarcerated there at a time and a stint in the lower dungeon area, we hear, was not something easy to forget. Although it is not shown in the film, this is the destination of the three character's in the Jack Nickholson film "The Last Detail." The late Joe Sawtelle's plan to rehab the site into office space on federal land is still in the planning stages and, we are told, will go ahead. We have not yet been inside, but will certainly take you along in pix when we go. In the meantime, check out a copy of Richiard Winslow's new history of the Navy Yard "Do Your Job" by Portsmouth Marine Society Press. http://www.seacoastnh.com/postcards/yard1/ph11.html September 07 HALEY ON HALEY Can the caretakers who live in the Haley house on Smuttynose Island receive mail. If so, do they answer questions about the Haleys and the Haley house? I am trying to find out information about my relatives the Andrew Haleys, and, their relationship to Samuel and Thomas Haley. Franklin N Haley of Bellingham, Massachusetts mimida@massed.net EDITOR'S REPLY: Nope. No mail, no phone, no electricity, no water on Smuttynose. You want to contact Gail during the summer season at the Thaxter Cottage museum. She has a lot of info on the Isles our there. You can also contact ISHRA, the Isles of Shoals Historical and Research Assoc or the Portsmouth Athenaeum that houses the Isles of Shoals collection. http://www.seacoastnh.com/shoals/vaughn/index.html http://www.seacoastnh.com/history/hs.html http://www.seacoastnh.com/dct/smuttysunrise.html September 06 CARING FOR KAREN & ANETHE Interesting you should have Celia Thaxton's poems about Norwegians in this September issue. I am also Norwegian and come from the same county as the people who lived at the Isles of Shoals. Have read as much as possible about the history of the Isles, included the horrible murders in 1873. Hontvet is a common name where I come from, so I was drawn to their story. Understand the bodies were buried in Portsmouth, and wonder if there would be an easy way to find out exactly where? We take care of our families graves at home, and I grew up watering and planting flowers on several graves in Horten. Although I never knew my grandparents, I could still imagine they would have loved me... So, if it is legal, I would very much like to care for those graves of Karen and Annette. Any ideas for where I could get permission ? Berit Sjuls berit.sjuls@wcom.com EDITOR'S REPLY: The graves are part of the Harmony Grove section of the South Cemetery in Portsmouth, NH. They are difficult to find and we do not give out directions since we fear, with the ultimate explosion of the story in the upcoming Weight of Water film, that the "wrong element" may be drawn to them. You can find out the location from the people who maintain that cemetery at the City of Portsmouth and certainly and help would be appreciated. The cemetery is open to the public from dawn to dusk. You may also wish to contact Louise Tallman, a local expert in cemetery maintenance, who has been caring for historic graves in the Seacoast for decades. http://www.seacoastnh.com/celia/norway.html http://www.seacoastnh.com/smuttynose/graves.html September 02 NOT SQUALUS, MIMI I would like to receive information on U.S.S. Squalos (not sure of spelling), visiting October 5-15, 2000. Would like to see Conning Tower. Any information that you can provide will be greatly appreciated! Geoffrey M Crusherblue@aol.com EDITOR'S REPLY: We bumped into the answer to this one by stopping at the Piscataqua Maritime Commission booth at the Farmer's Market this morning. The S/V MIMI will be in Portsmouth October 8 - 13 at the NH State Port Authority Pier. The 72-foot "Brittany Dundee"" vessel was built in France in 1931 and reportedly used by the French Underground before being seized by Nazi Germany in WW2. Don't forget that the Viking ship Icelander will be arriving for two days only next Tuesday. The Squalus was a submarine that sank tragically in the 1930s of the coast nearby and was recommissioned as the Sailfish before WW2. We've heard no word of the ghost of the Squalus returning this fall. The conning tower of the Squalus is at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (scroll down from bottom link) where it has been turned into a memorial for the crewmen lost in the tragedy. A book on the Squalus was recently republished by Peter Maas. http://www.mimifest.org/ http://www.seacoastnh.com/navyyard/icelander.html http://www.seacoastnh.com/artists/Perrault/index.html#topopage http://www.seacoastnh.com/navyyard/2000B.html September 01 OUR FAVE LETTER OF THE WEEK hello. my name is Julie. i was wondering, is there anyway that i can find stuff on prehistoric people, like cave men. because for school i need to make something for them to survive throughout various days. if you have any information or ideas about prehistoric people, please email me back! thanks alot!! Julie of Athens, PA EDITOR'S REPLY: We have a search engine linked to our site called Ask Jeeves for Kids. You can ask it questions and find resources on the web. We asked it -- How did prehistoric people live? Here are a few web sites we came up with. You have to click below to see the web sites we found. http://museums.ncl.ac.uk/archive/frameset/5frame.htm http://www.best.com/~swanson/prehistory/eg_prehistory_intro.html http://members.aol.com/donnandlee/index.html#EARLY http://www.nature.ca/notebooks/english/prehispg.htm September 01 WHAT'S UP WITH JENNY LIND FIGUREHEAD? What is the current status of the authenticity of What is the status of the figurehead of Jenny Lind presently owned by Karl Erik Svardskog in Sweden? Last November he studied the picture of the NIGHTINGALE owned by Lill Parry. My interest stems from the ship carvings of my great-grandfather, John W. Mason (1814-1866) - see HERALD BEFORE THE MAST: THE LIFE AND WORKS OF JOHN W. MASON, 19TH CENTURY SHIPCARVER, pub. 1999 Bert Mason of Bailey Island, Maine bertandi@clinic.net EDITOR'S REPLY: When we last spoke to Karl Erik Svardskog he was standing here in our office looking at a digital image of a painting of the ship Nightingale sent to us via email by Lill Parry. The photo, according to her, was the Nightingale, which she says was captained by her ancestor. She believes the figurehead shown on our web site, is the same one she sees on the painting. It was still impossible to tell from the pictures, whether the figurehead in the painting corroborated Mr. Svardskog's theory that he now owns the actual figurehead from the sunken ship, and that the figurehead depicted 19th century singer Jenny Lind. We forwarded your note to the author, who says he will offer evidence in his upcoming book that the figurehead is authentic. Peter Randall, who is publishing an English translation of Svardskog's book about the figurehead sent us the following note: "Eric continues his research but he is convinced the carving is from the Nightingale. The Portsmouth Marine Society will be publishing a book about the ship, Jenny Lind, and the figurehead about the end of this year." http://www.seacoastnh.com/tjioct97.html#jenny September 01 BUILDING THE WENTWORTH (WEB SITE) I keep watching the Wentworth website to see whether NEXT WEEK has arrived. I am looking forward to "Frank Jones & the Early Years (1874-1902) COMING NEXT WEEK" Chapman M of Hiram, ME melanson@oakhillfarm.com EDITOR'S REPLY: Ouch! You caught us on that one. With over 2,300 web pages online currently, we sometimes forget to follow up on projects. It's like having a giant mansion and you know you left a shoe in one of the rooms, but you can't remember where. Thanks for finding our old shoe and for the kick in the pants. We promise to get this section up in the next 30 days -- unless, of course, we forget. http://www.seacoastnh.com/wentbysea September 01 WANTS SEACOAST NIGHT LIFE I now live in the Lakes Region and want to move to your area. In short how's the Employment (White Collar) opportunities ??? and also very important how's the nightlife ??? I had a very boring summer in the Lakes Region being single. Edward Joel of Laconia, NH EJoeljr@yahoo.com EDITOR'S REPLY: Back when we were into night life things were pretty hopping around here. We can only assume that, decades later, they are more hopping due to inflation. When we go out in the evening sometimes to pick up more Geritol, BenGay and Dentucreme, we often see young pierced people having a high old time in Market Square. As to jobs, we suggest you look under EMPLOYMENT in the Business section of SeacoastSearch.com. You should know, however, that we Ocean People have a strict quota system and allow only a few Lake People to migrate here per year. Personal watercraft are no allowed in the ocean, by the way. It upsets the fish. Hope this helps. September 01 HAMPTON-BY-THE-SEA, FOR SURE Please help me out? I visit Hampton Beach on occasion. Iis that part of the Atlantic Ocean? I am confused? They say it is part of the mighty tidal rivers of the Piscataqua? It sure seems and looks like the Atlantic Ocean? please advise!! AZ zeke107@webtv.net EDITOR'S REPLY: We hope "they" isn't us. Don't worry, that's certainly the Atlantic Ocean you see standing with a corn dog staring out from Hampton Beach, not the Mighty Piscataqua which our little map will show is to the North and West of Happy Hampton. It's all one happy watershed however, and Hampton is historically part of the teeny NH seacoast. Our homepage says "the region is DOMINATED by the tidal rivers of the mighty Piscataqua. And indeed it is as the map shows. http://www.seacoastnh.com/101nh/region.html September 01 THREE QUESTIONS ABOUT GREAT BAY Is there a public boat launch for Great Bay? Are sailboats allowed? Are there any camping facilities in the area? Any information would be very helpful! Sarah Haag SarahHaag@Brodeur.com EDITOR'S REPLY: There are many public ways to reach Great Bay which borders on a number of seacoast towns. We've often used the one near the center of Newmarket, the launch just outside Durham and further on near Jackson Lab at Adam's Point.. Sailboats, yes, lots of them on the Great Bay and Little Bay. We couldn't find a camp site located directly on the bay, but you can check our extensive list of local campsite on SeacoastSearch.com. You'll find that link and the NH Fish & Game web site below: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/ http://www.seacoastsearch.com/ |
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