A peek at World War One

Oct. 1, 1918 in Downtown Seattle,
photo taken during a War Bond Drive
www.seattlepi.com

  1918 was a long time ago, my Dad who would be 100 now was only six when that photo was taken and probably no one who reads this blog will have any memory of being there.
  My fathers "Uncle" Fred, a family friend, joined the French Army before the United States got involved in that war; he drove a battlefield ambulance.  As a civilian he gave piano lessons (to me for five or six years, I can't play) and was an organist at a Rochester, NH church.
  I found this group of photos and thought WOW I don't have to do much work with this!  So here they are enjoy a look back.  Click on the photos to enlarge

Sailors and civilians participate in the Bond Drive
2nd and Marion Streets, Oct. 28, 1918
The Soldier in the large photo was the "thermometer"
on the amount collected.
www.seattlepi.com

U S Navy recruits from the Naval Training Station, Seattle
marching on Sept. 19. 1917.  I think those are '02
Springfield Rifles they're carrying, the same ones we
used in 1958!
www.seattlepi.com
 

On Munjoy Hill, something old and something new

New building on Munjoy Hill? 54 feet tall? - click
drawing by Architype Architects
Portland Press Herald

  Okay, there is a reason I'm writing about this; it's a part of my personal history, at least the location is.  This proposed "music venue", a 54 foot tall, metal sided building would be built on the back lot (Munjoy Street side) of the partially demolished St. Lawrence Congregational Church (photos below).
The residents of this mostly residential area, Munjoy Hill, aren't too keen on this idea.
  When I lived on Munjoy Street about 1980-82 the area was probably lower middle class, working people and a few retired folks to.  Now it's another in-town area that has been 'gentrified' (that means a couple of things have been fixed and the rent tripled).  The middle class, if there is one anymore, has been pushed out to other areas, I guess.

The St. Lawrence Church during demolition of parts of it.
Portland Press Herald Photo

Where the geezer lived on Munjoy Street, 2nd floor left
Google maps

                                    Part of Munjoy Hill, enlarge this photo, Munjoy St. is
                                    about in the middle, I caught the bus across from Ft. Allen
                                    Park, used to see the sunrise.

Petra "Atlantis in the sands"

Through the al-siq a wonder - click to enlarge
www.wikipedia.org photo
See the Treasury Building inside

  Back in 1812 a Swiss explorer, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt was in present day Jordan; he slipped through an al-siq (a narrow opening) and saw the wonder of Petra.  Hidden from view the city date from 312BC (that's a long time ago).  The City of Petra was inhabited by the Nabataeans, a nomadic tribe that all of a sudden settled in one spot.
  How?  They were the first recorded "speculators".  They made most of their money with Frankincense, gold, and spices.  They alone could manipulate the price because they controlled more of those goods than anyone else.  Just like "oil speculators" of today they controlled the price of goods in high demand.
  The City had streets, gardens and tombs (a cemetery).  They had little regard for the dead but did keep track of the bodies.
  Traders. High rollers. Successful and rich.
  Is there a lesson here?  In Petra, on the the "New wonders of the world", protected by the United Nations, and scientists for the US, England, Jordan and others are actively working the site.  Interesting in deed.
  Read in www.wikipedia.org or ABC News using the search boxes for "Petra".

And I thought Petra was just a girls name in Dutch!

The Monastery - click to enlarge

The Umm (tombs) - click
 

All photos from www.wikipedia.org

It's Independence Day somewhere today

Capitol City of Basseterre on Saint Kitts - click to enlarge

National Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis

  On September 19, 1983 Saint Kitts and Nevis became an independent country, it's the newest country in the Americas.  Located in the Leeward Islands between Puerto Rico and Venezuela.  The weather is warm and tropical.  The major sources of income are; tourism and agriculture.
  The Country is still a member of the British Commonwealth (like Canada), but is run by it's own government.  The two islands Saint Kitts, and Nevis make up the country.
  It might be a good place to visit.

St. Marys Church in Cayon, Nevis Island - click to enlarge

Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade

Autocar Company made the "car", this model shows the second kind of guns used. www.media.photobucket.com photo

September 9, 1914:  The Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade was formed as a part of the British Army in World War One.  It was also called Brutinel's Brigade, Canadian Lt. General Brutinel was the founder of the Brigade.  It is important to note that this was the first motorized weaponry and the predecessor of the "tank".
  The Autocar Company of Ardmore, Pennsylvania manufactured the machines, there were eight, plus two automobiles of general staff, the original armament were two Colt Model 1914 Machine Guns, also known as potato diggers. (photo below).
  In addition to the large vehicles there were also 300 motorcycles armed with mortars in this, the very first mechanized brigade.

Two of these Colt Model 1914 guns were mounted. www.wikipedia.org photo

What the heck is a Thylacine?

In the US National Zoo 1906 www.wikipedia.org - click to enlarge

On September 7, 1936 the last Thylacine, Benjamin, died in zoo in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.  The curious critter was the last known carnivorous marsupial.  They lived in Australia and New Zealand.
  Competent hunters they roamed the sparsely populated back country, their common names were Tasmanian Wolf, or Tasmanian Tiger.
  It was odd, even for a marsupial, in that both sexes had pouches, the male pouches acted as a cover for the reproductive organs while running through the brush, the female pouch was used like a kangaroo does.
  You never know what's out there.

A Thylacine family, Baumanns Zoo, Hobart, Australia 1910 www.wikipedia.org
 

Long ago and far away....

The geezer at age 17

  August 28, 1958, 54 years ago today I joined the Navy for the first time; other enlistment followed.  I was a 17 year old high school graduate and 1958 was another of those years without many jobs around.  Besides there not being jobs to begin with, the employers were hesitant to hire somebody who would be draft eligable in less than six months -- so I went to the Navy recruiter, didn't bother with the others, got my mother to sign a permission (I wasn't 18) and joined the Navy.
  I had no idea what lay ahead of me.  I told my mother I would make the Navy a career and she kind of just laughed -- didn't think it would happen.  I re-enlisted three months before my 21st birthday.
  Dad drove me to Sanford (Maine) on his way to work, and the recruiter drove me and a couple of others to Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth, it's now Fort Williams Park; where Portland Head Light is located.  After a short physical we were lined up and took the oath.  We were bussed to Boston and flown, with recruits from all over New England, to Chicago.  At Chicago a Navy bus picked us up and drove the plane load to the Recruit Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois.  By then it was about 2:00AM, we were taken to a barracks, given a bunk took a nap and up at 6:00AM and the lines started.  Lines for chow, lines to see a dentist, lines to be issued uniforms and stencil them (how 'bout that Wilbur?), haircuts, and some other stuff too.  Welcome to the United States Navy, the best group I was even in.

The geezer 18 years later.

Flying light weight.

The Gossamer Condor now in the Smithsonian. www.wikipedia.org - click to enlarge

  On August 23, 1977 the Kremer Prize was captured by the flight of the Gossamer Condor.  The first, successful, human powered flight.  Piloted by Bryan Allen, the craft by Dr. Paul MacCready flew a figure eight around markers one and a half miles apart at ten feet off the ground.  The 50,000 Pound (British) was claimed.  It was the conclusion to many efforts.
  Two years later improvements made it possible to fly across the English Channel to win another Kremer Prize.
  The 30 foot long craft has a wingspan of 96 feet.  Made of aluminum spars covered with a light weight plastic material, with a crew of one.  A flying bicycle might be an apt description.  It's quite a rig, we up here in Maine would say.

In flight. http://claesjohnsonmathscience.wordpress.com - click to enlarge

The Big Stick

USS Iowa arrives at its final home, San Pedro, California where it will become a museum
AP photo.  -  click to enlarge

  The Big Stick will now speak softly at rest and as a museum of a bygone era.  Built at the New York Navy Yard and commissioned in 1943 she took part in World War Two, Korean War and was re-activated again to shell targets in Vietnam.  A Big Stick indeed at 58,000 tons.
  My uncle Phillip Grant was on the first crew, a Navy Electricians Mate fresh from duty in Point Barrow, Alaska.  When the war was over Uncle Phil gave me, then 5 years old, his grey wool Navy blanket.  I used and used and used that blanket.  I don't think it lasted quite long enough until I got my own.

Iowa fires a broadside during a test in 1984.
If you look carefully you can she she slipped sideways.
www.wikipedia.org

 

Working with a "round" or bullet for the 16 inch guns.

The rounds fired by the 16 inch guns weigh about the same as a Volkswagen Beetle and be fired at target up to 24 miles away - that's a lot of power and a lot of powder.

Another look at a broadside firing.  Look at the shock waves in the water!
www.wikipedia.org

Iowa passes under the Golden Gate Bridge on her final trip.
She had been mothballed near Vallejo, California
AP News

Fort Knox, Maine

As seen from the air.  Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Bridge.
Bangor Daily News Photo - click

  Now in the news in this neck of the woods as the Governor and associates want to pass this State Historic Site into private management.  While that is a good thing at least we know the place is getting attention.
  Fort Knox, in my opinion, is one of the best preserved coastal forts in the Country, but that's my opinion.  Work is still being done to restore parts of the Fort and it is actively getting attention.
  The opening of the new Penobscot Narrows Bridge, with an observatory at the top of the west pylon, on the right, is bringing more visitors to the Fort.
  Built of good Maine granite from Mount Waldo, upriver, and hauled piece by piece up the "road", center bottom of above photo, and hoisted by manpower or horsepower in to place; it's a wonder to behold.
  You can find more information at www.wikipedia.org  or simply "google" fort Knox Maine, there is a lot of information on this Fort.

An early American painting of Fort Knox, Maine wikipedia photo

The Courtyard in the center of Fort Knox,
the paper mill in Bucksport across the river
is in the background.  www.wikipedia.org

U S Fort Captured

Remains of the Powder House, Fort Sullivan Eastport Maine

  Fort Sullivan in far eastern Maine is one more of those forts built in the early 1800's.  Today all that remains are parts of the Powder House, and an effort to restore as much as possible.
  During the War of 1812 Fort Sullivan was captured by British forces.  Renamed Fort Sherbrooke it was held because of a boundry dispute between Canada (Britian) and the United States.
  After it was "won" back and had it's original name the Fort was occupied until the end of the U S Civil War in 1865.  The remains of the Powder House are on the National Historic Register.  A replica of the Fort and all of its' buildings can be seen at The Border Historical Society's Barracks Museum in Eastport.  Visit www.borderhistoricalsociety.com for more information.

The Powder House remains in 2009.  Bangor Daily News photo.

A couple of things: Fort Edgecomb and a dog

Fort Edgecomb    www.wikipedia.org

  Here is a fort, built in 1808-1809 when the "war climate" in Europe was heating up.  Things did indeed heat up and Fort Edgecomb was manned during the War of 1812 to protect against possible British attach.  It remained manned until after the U S Civil War.
  Fort Edgecomb became Fort Edgecomb State Historic Site in 1991.  The Fort was used to hold British prisoners of war, many artifacts are found on the grounds.
  Located on Davis Island in the Sheepscot River, it can be reached by using State Hwy 27.

www.mainememory.net

And now the dog:

Roosevelt pops a wheelie.  Bangor Daily News

Please take time to look at a very short article and slide show in the Bangor Daily News issue of March 12, 2011, simple follow this link:

http://bangordailynews.com/slide show/disabled-border-collie-wakes-up-happy-every-day/

It's a great dog story, I promise.

Keeping watch when needed

Battery Cogan

  Fort Baldwin in Phippsburg, Maine was built near the mouth of the Kennebec River.  Named for an Army Engineer who served during the Revolutionary War, it was built between 1905 and 1912.  Originally it was built with three batteries, a gun track on the top of, or near, each battery to fire at ships at sea to prevent an invasion.
    During World War One, Fort Baldwin was manned with 200 members of the 13th and 29th Coast Artillery.
    During World War Two, Fort Baldwin as manned by members of D Battery of the 8th Coast Artillery, a Fire Control Tower was built so the exact position of enemy ships could be given.  I have always though that those towers were for spotting aircraft - oh, how wrong I can be without a proper education.

An example of a Fire Control Tower.
This one is in Massachusetts, no photo
available for Fort Baldwin but
they are all pretty much alike,
some are square, some are round.

The remains of some of the gun positions at Fort Baldwin.

Ellis Island of the north

Fort Scammel in 1900 www.mainememory.net photo - click

  House Island sits out in Casco Bay, a short distance from Portland and South Portland, it's been inhabited since the 1600's.
  The Army built Fort Scammel in 1808 and it just sat there, it was re-furbished during the U S Civil War and again during World War Two for coastal defence.
  The most important use of Fort Scammel may have been in the 1920's when some of the buildings were used as a quarantine station by the Immigration folks, the island was considered ideal.  New arrivals weren't allowed off the island until quarantine was completed along with other tests and interviews, a ferry boat ride to Portland and a direct link to Grand Trunk Station for railroad passage to their destination.
  All of those buildings have been destroyed, with the exception of the "fort" itself, which just sits in ruins.  The Island is privately owned and not open to the public, people still live there too.

Fort Scammel in June of 2005 www.wikipedia.org  photo

House Island location google maps

Portland & Ogdensburg Railway

Willey Brook Bridge in the White Mountains - click

    Formerly the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad which had failed.  The Vermont section of that enterprise was leased to the Boston & Lowell Railway and we now have the Railway in it's place.  This Railway lasted a number of years before being sold to the Maine Central Railroad, and it became the Maine Centrals' Mountain Division.
  This Railway was a Standard Gauge road and almost all of its' locomotive were made by The Portland Company (right here in Maine).  Some of the track were still in use up until 1943.
  At the time this company worked some of its' civil engineering feats were an example for others to follow.  The Big Cut at Crawford Notch in the White Mountains of New Hampshire was a prime example of these types of feats.
  Photos from www.wikipedia.org where more information can be found on this subject.

Gates of the Big Cut

Engine number One the Presumpscot

Monson Railroad

Monson number 3 on loan by the museum - click please
shown in Phillips, Maine 2007

  The Monson Railroad was started by The Monson Slate Company to haul product from the quarries in the area to the workshops in town; it also carried goods for other companies or people.
  A narrow gauge track covered six and one-half miles and operated from 1883 to 1943 (jeepers!, part of that is in my lifetime!)
  Two of the locomotives and some of the cars have been lovingly restored to beauty and some can be seen at the Maine Narrow Gauge Museum and Railway in Portland, Maine.
  The railroad dissolved itself because the construction of the cars linkage and the "kerosene lantern" locomotive lights were considered unsafe even after some of the lights (green above) were replaced with automobile headlights.
  Photos are from www.wikipedia.com where more information can be found.

Monson Station and a section of restored track in 2007 - click

Monson number 4, shown at the Museum in Portland - click

Kennebec Central Railroad

Engine Four, probably located in Gardner  wikipedia photo

  This railroad was a short line, 8 miles, narrow gauge train.  It was built to run from Togus Veterans Hospital to nearby Gardiner, Maine.  It was built for the express purpose of transporting Civil War Veterans from other trains to the Togus Veterans Hospital.
  The locomotives were built by the Baldwin Works in Pennsylvania and many of the cars and gondolas were made by The Portland Company, right here in Maine.
  Despite it's small amount of track the railroad was profitable, until automobiles made the ride less of a scheduled event.
  The train only ran to Randolph, across the river from Gardiner, but there was a way to get there.  When the line closed the engines and some cars were sold to other railroads in Maine.

A model of the Randolph station.
From this station there were a set of stairs
to a covered bridge over the Kennebec River
and into Gardiner. www.raggstoriches.com

Another example of the Forney 0-4-4 locomotive