[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.7″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_font_size=”16px” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
At the outbreak of WWII, the United States government began conscripting civilian vessels- including the Monhegan mailboat, for government services.<\/p>\n
The Nereid<\/em>, Monhegan\u2019s mailboat from 1931-1942, owned by Captain Earl Starrett was the first Monhegan vessel taken for the war in 1942.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ConscriptedVesseslInnCrowdNereidcropped-1-1014×1024.jpg” title_text=”Nereid” show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ width=”88%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”11px||||false|false”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Nereid<\/em> 1942<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”5px|10px|34px|10px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_width_all=”1px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n \u201cAt the outbreak of World War II the government decided that boats like the Nereid would prove useful in defending the eastern seaboard. Before meeting this vital need she made a farewell trip to the island on a November day in 1942.<\/em><\/p>\n It was a sad occasion for we had come to depend on her. Losing her brought home a keen realization of just how much she meant to all of us. Dependable in all kinds of weather, she faithfully performed acts of mercy as well as running the mail. As I watched her wending her way back to the mainland, I became fully aware of the inescapable future changes in my small island world. I had dared to hope that life could continue as it always had, but knew, deep in my heart, that this could not be.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Burton, Clara. Monhegan Memorie<\/em>s. Impatiens Press, 1998, p. 104.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″ background_color=”rgba(135,83,0,0.27)” custom_padding=”|10px||10px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ConscriptedVesselsMonheganPressVoIIINo8Aug41940nereidflagGymkhana-968×1024.jpg” title_text=”MonheganPress VoIII No8 Aug 4 1940″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Monhegan Press<\/em>. 4 Aug. 1940<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ConscriptedVesselsNeriedReplaceMonhegan1942OSSpg70-903×1024.jpg” title_text=”Monhegan 1942 OSS p. 70″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Olga Stevens scrapbook. [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ConscriptedVesselsSylviaField5300-1024×624.jpg” title_text=”Sylvia and Captain Field” show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Sylvia<\/em> With Capt. Field<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ConscriptedVesselsFerrySchedule4563-1024×983.jpg” title_text=”Ferry Schedule 1943″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n While Captain Starrett and his two vessels were serving in the war, Captain Earle Field, Sr. and the Sylvia<\/em> provided limited mail and passenger service.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″ background_color=”rgba(135,83,0,0.27)” custom_padding=”|10px||10px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ConsriptedVesselsNereidOSSpg70-447×1024.jpg” title_text=”Nereid OSS 1942 p. 70″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ width=”43%” width_tablet=”33%” width_phone=”42%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Olga Stevens scrapbook. 1942. p. 70.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_4_font=”|300|||||||” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n \u201cThought you folks might like to know that Earle is over across the Atlantic in the French coast somewhere. Master of one of the biggest ocean going tugs, also being \u201cCommodore\u201d of the fleet over there. Doing a big job I expect. Been gone six months to date. Merry xmas to you all.”<\/em> – Arlene Starrett. Dec 4, 1944<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ConscriptedVessesEarlStarrett0399_02.jpg” title_text=”Captain Earle Starrett” show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Capt. Earle Starrett at the helm of the Nereid<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″ background_color=”rgba(135,83,0,0.27)” custom_padding=”|10px||10px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ConscriptedVesselsMOnhegan-Launch-1-1006×1024.jpg” title_text=”Monhegan Launch April, 1942″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Unknown source. April 1942<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_line_height=”1.4em” header_4_font=”|300|||||||” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n A new motor passenger and freight boat, the Monhegan, was built to replace the Nereid. After only one trip to the island, the Monhegan was also conscripted for war use.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ConscriptedVesselsOSSpg69.jpg” title_text=”Captain Starrett Announcement OSS p.69″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Olga Stevens scrapbook. 1942. p. 70.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n \u201cIn 1941 boats such as the Balmy Days…were held as ferries by the armed forces and did not run their regular schedules. Nor did they again until July 1945. While under government control, the Balmy towed targets for the Navy in Massachusetts Bay and carried supplies to defense installations on coastal island.<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 Rumsey, Barbara. “Running Charlie Wade\u2019s \u2018Balmy Days<\/em>\u2019.” Boothbay Register, 14 June 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cShe was built by my dad on Swan Island in the Kennebec in 1931-32 and he ran her to Monhegan \u201832-\u201972 when he sold her to Cap\u2019t Bob Fish.<\/em>\u201d [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ConscriptedVesselsBalmyDays2633_04.jpg” title_text=”Balmy Days” show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.8.2″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Balmy Days<\/em> approaching Monhegan Wharf circa 1940<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ConscriptedVesselsCharlieElmerWade5997_42.jpg” title_text=”Elmer and Captain Charlie Wade” show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ width=”64%” width_tablet=”44%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Charlie and Elmer Wade. Charlie was captain of Balmy Days<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ custom_padding=”||0px||false|false”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_font_size=”16px” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Built in 1943 by M.M. Davis & Sons, Inc. of Solomons, MD, the Laura B<\/em> is a 65-foot, wooden WWII tender vessel, an Army T-57. This type of vessel was made by the Army specifically to transport people and supplies to and from shore or to another ship. Made of white oak with western fir planking, approximately 3,000 of these general workboats were built to support the war effort.<\/p>\n After three years of service in the South Pacific, the former Army workboat was shipped back to Baltimore, where it was purchased by Clyde Bickford of Vinalhaven, Maine. The boat was rebuilt by Charles Ledbetter at Camden Boat Works. Bickford renamed the boat the Laura B. after his mother. Bickford used the Laura B. to carry lobsters from Vinalhaven and other islands to Boston and New York. Earl Field, Sr. purchased the boat in 1952 to carry mail, passengers and freight between Thomaston and Monhegan. The Laura B. continues to be the year-round mail, freight and passenger boat to Monhegan.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ custom_padding=”||0px||false|false”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ConscriptedVesselsLauraB2745_02-1024×690.jpg” title_text=”Laura B.” show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ width=”96%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n Laura B<\/em>. approaching the wharf<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/war-begins-landing-page\/war-begins-air-patrol\/” button_text=”NEXT … Air Patrol” button_alignment=”right” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" War Begins: Conscripted VesselsAt the outbreak of WWII, the United States government began conscripting civilian vessels- including the Monhegan mailboat, for government services. The Nereid, Monhegan\u2019s mailboat from 1931-1942, owned by Captain Earl Starrett was the first Monhegan vessel taken for the war in 1942.Nereid 1942\u201cAt the outbreak of World War II the government decided […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":49972,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-50073","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/50073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50073"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/50073\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51827,"href":"https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/50073\/revisions\/51827"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/49972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/monheganmuseum.org\/WWII\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
1942. p. 70.<\/p>\nCaptain Starrett also served during the war,
but never on either of his own vessels.<\/h4>\n
Letter from OJ Wade, son of Charlie Wade<\/span><\/p>\n