Ghost Ship of Ogunquit

Wooden ships on the water, very free and easy,

Easy, you know the way it's supposed to be,

Silver people on the shoreline, let us be,

Talkin' 'bout very free and easy...

-Crosby, Stills and Kantner

 

In the early the late 1980's and early 1990's, we use to see the remnants a shallop or schooner that use to appear during low tide on Ogunquit beach. The hull would  mysteriously appear above the sand as the tide would retreat back the sea as sunbathers and beachcombers roamed the beach. The remains were buried deep in the sand about 200 meters north of the main beach at "section G".

We use to call it a ghost ship, even though it's actually a shipwreck. It's still buried in the sand, and depending on the year and the weather determines if we will see this Ghost ship. 

                                                                             (Photo from the 1980's)

       

100 years ago, before automobiles came to Ogunquit. Ships and schooners would drop-off provisions from away places like Boston or beyond. The ships would then be filled with goods from Maine for the return trip (firewood for Boston was one common commodity). The ships would dock at Wharf Lane at high tide. As you walk on Wharf Lane and then across the little wooden bridge you can see the pilings from the old docks. Many of the buildings on Wharf lane and Shore Road were store houses for these goods that would be carried  by sea. 

                   

Dories and Schooners on Wharf Lane. The bridge in the background is the bridge to the beach,

So next time you are walking on Ogunquit Beach, take the time to search for the ships that were lost at sea...

                             (Photo courtesy of Rick Barber)  

Wooden path bridge from Wharf Lane to Beach Street.

Ogunquit Beach Dunes & Dories

Ogunquit beach is basically a barrier island, and subject to incredible north Atlantic weather. Throughout history, the Ogunquit dunes have shifted and changed. The dunes on the beach are known as parabolic dunes. These cone shaped dunes or parabolic dunes are formed from northwest winds, which pushes the dunes up several meters. In the past six weeks there were three record-breaking storms. Two of these storms had hurricane like winds, which pushed and changed the geolandscape of the dunes.

There is a mix of vegetation and animals that live in the dunes. This ecosystem is essential and protects the dunes from further erosion.

There are land bridges which stretch over the dunes from the Atlantic side to the Ogunquit river estuary. Notice how the sand has taken over the land bridge. There is now a two foot drop from the bridge to the beach!

King George II recognized how sensitive the dunes were and issue a statement in 1757 banning the grazing of cattle and livestock on the Ogunquit Dunes.

The Ogunquit River, which is essentially a coastal lagoon between the mainland and the narrow ever-changing peninsula known as Ogunquit Beach.
Two Ogunquit Dories sit in the coastal lagoon. The Ogunquit Dory is a unique fishing boat that the Ogunquit fisherman would use for lobstering and trawling. These dories were designed to handle the rugged coast and the dramatic Atlantic tides.

20th Century Painter, Edward Hopper, The Dories, Ogunquit.  Edward Hopper painted in Ogunquit, and his work can be found at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art.

The beach is always changing. The waves bring in treasures from the sea that wash on to the shore. Various creatures comb the beach to claim prize to nature’s bounty. The air is fresh and clean, with winters breath fading away......I enjoy this beach immensely in the bright springtime!

Innkeeper/Blogger Greg of Ogunquit Beach Inn April 2nd, 2010, 6.30pm