The area around Moosabec Reach is clearly shown by this chart: The Mudhole is under the "E" in Eastern Bay. In the upper right hand corner is Great Spruce Island, which anchors the eastern side of the Thorofare. Dad had a fascination with the name Great Wass Island. What was a "Wass"? Mom like the New Englandy towns, their architecture, their stores. Dad liked the wild islands offshore with their deserted coves, dangerous rocks and all. John and I favored Dad's view of things that summer although we never turned down a chance to skull ashore for an ice cream cone.
Dad loved the sleak Beals Island lobsterboats, reportedly the fastest in Maine. Boatbuilding on Beals Island was a family tradition, the skills learned by doing, with an eye and an instinct for how she ought'a look.
These boats were fast and I know Dad was itching to give it a go to see if our Phyllis was at least competative. Lobsterboat racing in Moosabec Reach had begun in the early 1950's and was generally won by the Beals Island boys. John loved the noise these boats made at full throttle. I don't think Mom hung out any laundry from the rigging while we were in the vicinity of real lobstermen and their skookum boats.
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