Robert Carter
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 60
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XV. ROCKPORT HARBOR. --THE KING OF THE CUNNERS.-- LOBSTER-FISHING. --THE ASSYRIAN STARTLED. The town of Rockport, in one of whose harbors we brought the Helen to anchor about sunset on Wednesday, July 14, is declared by the veracious Gazetteer of Hayward to lie four miles northeast from Gloucester Harbor, thirty-six northeast from Boston, and eighteen northeast from Salem. It comprises all the seaward portion of the extremity of Cape Ann, and from the settlement of New England to the present time, the men of Rockport have been distinguished for their enterprise in the fisheries, "thereby," as Hayward judiciously remarks, "rendering them serviceable to their country abroad, and fit companions for its intelligent and rosy-cheeked damsels at home." We saw but little of the town. The fog. was so dense that we could only discern that we were in a small harbor, partly artificial, with a huge mole of granite between us and the ocean. There were fifteen or twenty schooners in the port which afforded room for perhaps twice as many more. The Artist and I got the Skipper to row us ashore before breakfast next day, July 15. We landed on a dirty beach, covered with the decaying offal of fish, the stench of which was almost suffocating. A narrow street led us to the centre of a large and prosperous-looking village, where we mailed our letters, and made some purchases, especially of "soft tack," of which we bought a quantity that caused the baker to stare and gasp with amazement. We knew we should be likely to get none for several days, and had found by experience that six healthy men, with sea appetites, could consume an enormous amount of bread. When we got on board again we found the Professor and the Assyrian in a state of deep disgust at...