Norton of Jonesport Puffin Trips
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Paul Garrity
Feb 8, 2011, 10:42:28 AM2/8/11
to Mainebirds Maillist
In case you weren't aware of this...
I spoke with Holly Davis the owner of the Norton of Jonesport
boat charter company in Jonesport, ME today and she confirmed that the company
will no longer be running puffin trips to Machias Seal Island.
Currently the only U.S. boat going to MSI is Bold Coast
Charters out of Cutler, ME - Capt. Andy Patterson.
Down East Nature Tours
Feb 8, 2011, 12:59:04 PM2/8/11
to Paul Garrity, Mainebirds Maillist
From:
Paul
Garrity
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 10:42 AM
Subject: [Maine-birds] Norton of Jonesport Puffin
Trips
In case you weren't aware of this...
I spoke with Holly Davis the owner of the Norton of Jonesport
boat charter company in Jonesport, ME today and she confirmed that the company
will no longer be running puffin trips to Machias Seal Island.
Currently the only U.S. boat going
to MSI is Bold Coast Charters out of Cutler, ME - Capt. Andy
Patterson.
Paul Garrity
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Paul,
This is a huge loss to the ornithology world and a great legacy that should
be continued. ( I am sure Andy is Happy!)
I know that Norm Famous and I have our own stories that date back many
years about Captain Barna Norton and his son Captain John
Norton. Back in the early 90’s I was teaching ornithology
courses at Eagle Hill in Stueben. Barna was always on the schedule and
would be one of the many highlights of Down East Birding that would make the
week complete for participants. One year we had 26 species of birds
on Machias Seal; warblers, Red-eyed Vireo, Blackpoll Warbler and a great list of
Alcids. Especially for me, each year of organizing trips
to Machias Seal Island was always looked forward to because of the opportunity
to talk with Barna. His demeanor was always “down east cantankerous” and
you either did what he said or “you aren’t going!”. He demeanor would
really surface when you started talking about MSI and the history of
ownership. Personally, I believe that the Norton's and the American
Government have the right to this property after the signing of the Paris Treaty
1812 turned this land over to the United States Government. For the 2000
plus Puffins that call this there summer home... I am sure they care less who
really owns it! A great historical debate.
Each year we made several trips to Machias Seal Island and typically
each would be made memorable by the stories of Barna and his son John. These
were “wet landings” on Machias so it was always interesting to see Barna leading
much younger people across the slick rock weed and skinny planks before reaching
high ground with a sigh of relief. Each of the Norton’s knew birds
by flight pattern and they could be miles away and many times they were
correctly identified. John had been on the water since he was 5 and his
dad dragged him out there kicking and screaming until one day he came to love
the sea as much as his father. Their boat, “ Chief”
defiantly identified its port of
registry as Machias Seal Island, U.S.A.
Barna died in 2004 (see below) and we all felt a massive total lose
but had faith that his son John would carry on the legacy. For those of us
who knew John, it was another terrible blow when we heard that he had
prostrate cancer and than of his death in 2008. I was cautiously
optimistic that Whitney could carry on but I am sure it has been difficult
especially with the loss of all the years of experience and
information these two men carried with them and did not catalog. A
great lose indeed to us all and I am sadden that their legacy seems lost
to the wind and waves...
I will not forget one memorable trip. Because of 6-8 foot seas we
could not make the trip to MSI but Barna was absolutely sure that he could
show us a Razorbill or two on “The Pulpit”; a small rock beyond
Jonesport that apparently had a breeding population of Razorbills.. I
totally learned to trust their vessel “Chief” as we pushed through these
large waves crashing over the bow and high winds. Somehow we finally made it to
the Pulpit and we did absolutely see Razorbills to the scared delight of the
students!! It was one more reason why Barna is so deeply etched in my
memory.
Michael Good
Town Hill, Maine USA
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/Qi3.2ACIB/2134
Message Board Post:
FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BARNA NORTON
JONESPORT, Maine (AP) - Barna Norton, who for four decades ferried bird lovers from around the world to Machias Seal Island, was found dead by a housekeeper Monday. He was 89.
Norton took bird watchers 20 miles out to sea from this remote area of eastern Maine to watch thousands of puffins, arctic terns, common terns and razorbill auks frolic on the rocks of the 15-acre island.
Norton's great-grandfather, Barna "Tall Barney" Norton, laid claim to the island for his family in 1865. Citing different historical records, the United States and Canada both say the island is theirs, a dispute that has yet to be resolved.
Once a year, Norton would parade around the rocky outcropping with a large American flag, a way of thumbing his nose at the Canadian government. The stern of his 30-foot boat Chief defiantly identified its port of registry as Machias Seal Island, U.S.A.
Although they accuse Canada of stealing their bird-covered island, the Nortons said Canada did a fairly good job running the island and they would make no changes if they managed to take control. Relations between the Nortons and the Canadian ranger and lighthouse keeper remained friendly.Norton turned over the daily ferry runs to his son John in 1985.
In addition to his seasonal ferry service, Norton sold electronics and appliances.
From: Bangor News: November 27, 2004: on line-http://www.bangornews.com/a/class/obituaries/obituary.cfm?id=45485
CAPTAIN BARNA NORTON
JONESPORT - Captain Barna B. Norton, 89, died unexpectedly, Nov. 22, 2004, at his residence. He was born June 9, 1915, in Jonesport, the son of the late Herman and Amanda Norton. Barna graduated from the local Jonesport schools and others. He served in the Coast Guard in World War II. He was discharged as a lieutenant commander. In the 1940's, he began to take bird watchers to Machias Seal Island. During that time, he defended his and the United States ownership of the island by visits each year until 2003. In 1945, he married Beatrice Whitney Sinford. He is survived by his son, Captain John E. Norton and his companion, Holly Davis; granddaughter, Whitney Norton; and many friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Beatrice Whitney Norton July 24, 2000. A graveside service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Barna and Bea Norton Nurses Scholarship Fund, care of Jonesport-Beals High School, 180 Snare Creek Lane, Jonesp!
ort, ME 04649. Arrangements are under the care of Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Machias.
Message Board Post:
FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BARNA NORTON
JONESPORT, Maine (AP) - Barna Norton, who for four decades ferried bird lovers from around the world to Machias Seal Island, was found dead by a housekeeper Monday. He was 89.
Norton took bird watchers 20 miles out to sea from this remote area of eastern Maine to watch thousands of puffins, arctic terns, common terns and razorbill auks frolic on the rocks of the 15-acre island.
Norton's great-grandfather, Barna "Tall Barney" Norton, laid claim to the island for his family in 1865. Citing different historical records, the United States and Canada both say the island is theirs, a dispute that has yet to be resolved.
Once a year, Norton would parade around the rocky outcropping with a large American flag, a way of thumbing his nose at the Canadian government. The stern of his 30-foot boat Chief defiantly identified its port of registry as Machias Seal Island, U.S.A.
Although they accuse Canada of stealing their bird-covered island, the Nortons said Canada did a fairly good job running the island and they would make no changes if they managed to take control. Relations between the Nortons and the Canadian ranger and lighthouse keeper remained friendly.Norton turned over the daily ferry runs to his son John in 1985.
In addition to his seasonal ferry service, Norton sold electronics and appliances.
From: Bangor News: November 27, 2004: on line-http://www.bangornews.com/a/class/obituaries/obituary.cfm?id=45485
CAPTAIN BARNA NORTON
JONESPORT - Captain Barna B. Norton, 89, died unexpectedly, Nov. 22, 2004, at his residence. He was born June 9, 1915, in Jonesport, the son of the late Herman and Amanda Norton. Barna graduated from the local Jonesport schools and others. He served in the Coast Guard in World War II. He was discharged as a lieutenant commander. In the 1940's, he began to take bird watchers to Machias Seal Island. During that time, he defended his and the United States ownership of the island by visits each year until 2003. In 1945, he married Beatrice Whitney Sinford. He is survived by his son, Captain John E. Norton and his companion, Holly Davis; granddaughter, Whitney Norton; and many friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Beatrice Whitney Norton July 24, 2000. A graveside service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Barna and Bea Norton Nurses Scholarship Fund, care of Jonesport-Beals High School, 180 Snare Creek Lane, Jonesp!
ort, ME 04649. Arrangements are under the care of Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Machias.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Captain John Norton of Jonesport, Maine
by
David Larson-2
Jun 11, 2008; 09:15am :: Rate this Message: I am very sorry to report that Captain John Norton of
Jonesport, Maine, passed away on June 8th, losing his
battle with cancer. A brief obituary appeared in the Bangor Daily News today
<http://legacy.com/bangornews/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=111333070>.
Many of us have fond memories of repeated trips with John to visit the seabird colony at Machias Seal Island after he took over the helm of The Chief from his father, Captain Barna Norton. Norton Tours has cancelled all trips for this season and Holly suggests that you try to use the services of the Bold Coast Charter Company (Captain Andrew Patterson) in Cutler, ME. Holly hopes that their daughter, Whitney, will be taking over for her father and captaining the boat next year. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Michael J.
Good, MS -- President Down East Nature Tours Founder and Director 13th Acadia Birding Festival June 2-5, 2011 Co-founder Penobscot Watershed Eco Center 150 Knox Road Bar Harbor, Maine 04609 207-288-8128 / 207-479-4256 in...@DownEastNatureTours.com www.DownEastNatureTours.com in...@AcadiaBirdingFestival.com www.AcadiaBirdingFestival.com Maine birds mailing list maine...@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds |
Monica Grabin
Feb 8, 2011, 1:33:38 PM2/8/11
to Mainebirds Maillist
I took the puffin trip with Barna and, as he was then known, Johnny,
back in the late fifties and early sixties, and then did it again in
the year before Barna's death. In the fifties the boat was the Chief
Pierot, (not sure about the spelling); the blinds on MCI were made
of burlap and the birds were so close they were pecking on the lens
of our Brownie camera. I still have some of the black and whites.
We also used to fish with Barna and bring back 2 50-gallon barrels
full of cod, cusk and pollack. What we couldn't eat was just left
on the dock and picked up by whoever wanted it. Barna and his
family have created amazing memories for birders for over 50 years,
and I feel privileged to have known them. Barna was always a
character and great fun to be around. The family business is a huge
loss for all of us.
Monica Grabin
Kennebunk
Monica Grabin
Kennebunk
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Down East Nature Tours
Feb 8, 2011, 2:15:23 PM2/8/11
to Paul Garrity, Mainebirds Maillist
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 10:42
AM
In case you weren't aware of this...
I spoke with Holly Davis the owner of the Norton of Jonesport
boat charter company in Jonesport, ME today and she confirmed that the company
will no longer be running puffin trips to Machias Seal Island.
Currently the only U.S. boat going
to MSI is Bold Coast Charters out of Cutler, ME - Capt. Andy
Patterson.
Paul Garrity
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Norman Famous
Feb 8, 2011, 3:13:16 PM2/8/11
to Down East Nature Tours, Paul Garrity, Mainebirds Maillist
Birders,
It is hard to add to Mike's comments. Barna and John were unique characters, adding to the uniqueness of Machias Seal Island experience. I first went to MSI with Barna in the early 1970's (although my first trip was with Capt. Corbett who Bill Townsend mentioned). It is hard to describe Barna and his story telling ability and deep knowledge of seabirds and Bay of Fundy maritime history/politics. During the 1980's Barna would wear a beanie type hat with an American Flag flying from the top. The flag was often violated by diving Arctic terns, sometimes white-washing it. He was not going to back-down to Canadian authorities on this US territory!
I used to recruit Barna and John and the 'Chief' to help count ducks on the Jonesport Christmas Bird Count. Thanks to their knowledge of the region, we managed to obtain national high counts for black ducks (over 5,000) and purple sandpipers several times. Barna knew where the black ducks were hiding at different stages of the tide, under different weather conditions and at different times of day. They accumulated this knowledge while making a living taking duck hunters out each fall. On years when the 'Chief' was out of the water, he went out in his skiff to count black ducks.
As Mike pointed out, Barna knew his seabirds very well (both their ability to identify them but their history in Washington Co. dating back to the 1920's), often by different names (old local names). Barna recognized what would typically happen to black ducks when new houses were built on undeveloped coves. They usually abandoned the site. He gave many examples dating back to the 1920's of large coves in both Hancock and Washington Counties that were abandoned.
By the way, Tall Barneys restaurant in Jonesport has some of the best lobster, scallop and crabmeat stews made with fresh seafood. You could hybridize them as well: lobster X scallop, Lobster X crabmeat etc. It was a great place to warm up and refuel after the CBCs. I have not been there in a number of years, but their prices were great.
Norm Famous from Augusta
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