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SacohadBay ducks better dayBy DIC K CHARLESStaff WriterSpring came late to the Biddeford-Saco area in 18ft8 and the melting snow set the Saco River running seven inches above its usual level on the opening day of duckseasonNevertheless, a group of Saco gunners, headed by P C Sands and John Buck, headed down river to get a shot at the ducks in Saco Bay When the party got to Frenchman's Point, they discovered the current at that part of the river was fearfully strong because of the volume of water rushin down the river from the melting snow an ice and concluded that if they went into the bay they would never be able to gel back After waiting a while Sands and Buck determined to chance it and shoving off their boat, they drifted rapidly down past the breakwater When they reached the end of the rooks, they found that the sea outside was break ing feather white from the bar toBasket Island They turned about and began to pull back Pull as hard as thev could, tnevdidn t seem to make much headway*rBy the watches of their companions on shore, it took them 30 minutes to pull about 50 yards back to shore and bv thetime they reached Frenchman's Point,thev were nearlv exhausteddtpWhile thev were resting a small skiff guided by Frank B Tarr. a gunner from Biddoford. put out from the other shore and started for the bay The Saco party shouted for him to go back, but he answered he was all right and going to have a shot at the ducks The Saco men shouted in vain and seeing that the Biddeford man was determined to go into the bay. they clambered over the slippery rocks of the breakwater, well knowing that their assistance would be neededThe tide was only about half out and the. wSaco men were able to get nearly to the end of the breakwater When the light skiff with its lone occupant struck the white caps over the bar, the trouble began Tarr discovered he was powerless against the current and the breakers Struggling to get the skiff s head pointedup river. Tarr lost one of his oars and his shotgun over the side In an instant the little skiff whirled in the current past the end of the breakwaterI'm a goner cried Tarr to those on the rocks and putting down his lone remaining oar. gave up trying to guide the boatJump over, veiled one of the Saco men ‘ you're on the bar and it isn t over*ryour head Of ;Realizing this was his only chance Tarr did as he was advisedThe water was onlv a little above his'tP twaist, but so swift was the current that he could hardly keep his feet, yet he clung to the boat with one hand and just reached the rocks with the otherThere he held himself until pulled up by the Saco men If he had been carried only a few yards further, he would have struck deep water and an undertow from which he could not have escapedWet and weary, the duck hunters return ed up the Kerry Hoad leaving the ducks in the bay for another day when the wind and the water would be more favorable
Newspaper Details
Biddeford Kennebunk Wells Journal Tribune
Biddeford, Maine, US
Sat, May 21, 1977
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Kathryn M.
ME, USA 10 Mar 2022
Other Publications Near Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford Saco Journal
Biddeford Journal Tribune Sunday
Biddeford Journal Tribune Weekend
Biddeford Journal
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