Best Boat Buzz

I have friends who live in Plaice Cove on the seacoast of NH. Their house is on route 1A, and has unobstructed views of the Isle of Shoals. The Isles are approximately 10 miles off shore and on a clear day you feel like you can reach out and touch them.

The Isles, located at 42°58′N 70°37′W, were first spotted by the explorer John Smith back in 1614. The three largest main islands are Appledore (which is actually in Maine), Star and Smuttynose. At one time a large hotel operated on Appledore, which is the largest of the islands. That hotel burned down in 1904. The island today is used by a Marine field station conducting research and is affiliated with Cornell University.

Star Island is the second largest, and owned by the Star Island Corporation, which is affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. Apparently, they hold conferences during the summer months in a chapel built in 1905 . There is also a hotel that is still used today.

The third is Smuttynose Island. At 25 acres, it is the third-largest island. It became famous when Blackbeard honeymooned there and then for the notorious 1873 murders of two young women. The book The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve, uses the real murders as a backdrop for a modern day story. I will post a book review when I am finished reading it. Smuttynose is not populated today.

Bring a camera, sun tan lotion, fishing poles, binoculars, a good first mate and a chart of the area. It can be tricky navigating. Oh, and bring an extra anchor (many an anchor has been lost or cut loose), rocks abound.

When the weather breaks around here, I will make the Isles my next trip. I will be taking plenty of pictures, so check back soon for the best boat buzz.