Cape Porpoise (Me.)

Abstract 1246 Althea (Mrs. Frank) Beard, interviewed by Joyce Butler, September 25, 1977, Kennebunkport, Maine. Beard talks about the fires of 1947 on Cape Porpoise; the sight and smell of smoke; scene from the top of Crow Hill; believing their summer home was destroyed; patrolling and trying to save their home; no water supply so they used buckets of ocean water; receiving sandwiches and coffee from the Salvation Army; fearing for their house again when a second fire was near; and houses being saved...

Abstract 1247 Arnold Stinson, interviewed by Joyce Butler, September 14, 1977, Cape Porpoise, Maine. Stinson, with comments from his wife, Kathleen (Anderson) Stinson, discusses the fires of 1947, when he was Cape Porpoise Fire Chief; how Timber Island caught on fire; a backfire that got out of control; path of the fire; what equipment they had; finding their furniture after the fire; Mrs. Stinson’s mother dying of a heart attack from all the work; and how the Kittredge family improved firefighting...

Abstract 1223 Carolyn (Mrs. Frank) Craig, interviewed by Joyce Butler, January 24, 1977, Cape Porpoise, Maine. Craig talks about the fires of 1947 in Cape Porpoise; dry conditions that fall; approach of the fire; packing their belongings with aid from strangers; near-destruction of her home; firefighting efforts; keeping little fires from consuming homes; publicity the area received; improvements in Cape Porpoise’s communication and firefighting equipment after the fires; and planting pine trees on...

Abstract 1219 J. Malcolm Barter, interviewed by Joyce Butler, February 7, 1977, Camden, Maine. Barter discusses the fires of October 1947, which he covered as a reporter; the scene at Cape Porpoise, Kennebunk; areas threatened by the fire; getting photographic plates to Boston; refugees from South Waterboro and the destruction there; the state pier in Portland on fire; process of reporting on the fires for the Boston Globe; economic cost of the fires to underinsured homeowners; Red Cross aid efforts;...

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Ten logs of cod fishing boats from Kennebunk, Wells, and Cape Porpoise, 1854-1860. Includes information on the weather, location, and fish caught as well as information on the captain, home port, and dates.

Abstract 1252 Martin V. B. Wildes, interviewed by Joyce Butler, April 3, 1977, Kennebunk, Maine. Wildes discusses the fire of 1947 in Kennebunkport; progression of the fire, particularly around Cape Porpoise; speed of the destruction; description of fire as all flames and no smoke; loss of equipment due to rapid approach of fire; fighting spot fires in Wildes Town; bulldozing a trench which stopped the fire; equipment used to fight the fire; lack of communication; changes in firefighting after 1947;...