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.