The Harbor Pilot Who Rowed Out in Every Storm for 29 Years Because Ships Couldn’t Wait, Maine

[D.J.J. Ring, Jr.]

The Harbor Pilot Who Rowed Out in Every Storm for 29 Years Because Ships Couldn’t Wait, Maine, 1877

Portland, Maine. 1877. Harbor pilot had to meet ships outside breakwater. 2 miles out. In any weather. No tug. Rowboat. 18 feet.

Job paid per ship. $5. Winter: 1 ship/week. Summer: 3/day. Had to live. Captain Elias Strout, 45, took it 1877. Said: “I row.”

1877–1906: 29 years. 10,585 days. Rowed out 4,200 times. Every storm. 1888 Blizzard: 60 mph wind, 20-foot seas. Rowed. Took 4 hours to go 2 miles. Boarded ship. Brought in. 1898 Portland Gale: 24 ships wrecked. He brought 2 in. Rowed out in ice. Oars froze. Broke ice. Rowed. 1901: Capsized. January. 33°F water. Swam 1 mile. Got spare boat. Rowed out. Met ship.

1906: Steamer service started. Retired him at 74. Hands were claws. Couldn’t open. Died 1910. Portland Harbor named pilot boat “STROUT.” Still runs. Logbook in maritime museum. Last entry Nov 12, 1906: “NE Gale. Rowed. Last trip. All safe.” 4,200 trips. 0 ships lost.

[cass...@inwind.it]

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