From collection Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Company Collection
24
The image shows what is probably the Portland or Boston steamship approaching the Searsport Wharf. A line of several horses and wagons are backed up to the landing area of the wharf ready to receive loads from the steamer. A two-masted coastal schooner lies at anchor in the middle ground. Beyond, the coastline is still quite open and clear of trees. In the foreground is a collapsed section of old wooden farm fencing. The image of a then-modern steamship carrying tourists from lower New England, juxtaposed with the working wooden sailing vessel and the presence of a dilapidated farm fence, strongly evokes past and present. Although agriculture was still a robust way of life at the turn of the 20th century, the age of steam was quickly surpassing that of sail, and expediting tourist travel up the long coast of northern New England.
