Lobsterman Joe Ells of Criehaven at work in his peapod or double-ender, early 1900's.

Lobsterman Joe Ells of Criehaven at work in his peapod or double-ender, early 1900's.

Lobster fisherman Joe Ells of Criehaven is shown here at work in his peapod or double-ender in the early 1900's. Criehaven is an alternative name for Ragged Island (or Ragged Arse Island to some of the old time lobstermen) and it lies just south of Matinicus Island in Penobscot Bay. Criehaven was named after Robert Crie (1826-1901), an early landowner. He and his wife, Harriet Hall (1829-1919), moved to Ragged Island in 1849 where Robert became successful in farming and lumbering. Island chronicler Charles McLane wrote that in 1879, Robert owned the whole island, and in 1896 he incorporated Ragged Island as the plantation of Criehaven. In addition to fishing, sheep raising, and farming, Mr. Crie for many years kept a general store at Criehaven. McLane asserts that after Crie's death, the "vigor of the community was gradually drained by natural disasters and changing times." With its population dwindling, Criehaven plantation dissolved in 1925 to revert to a 'wild land' obviating the need for town meetings and further taxation. The school managed to continue to operate until 1941.