Mr. Sandman
08-05-2002, 01:54 PM
While on the vineyard the other day looking for something to read on the ferry, I came across a book in the bookstore (in vineyard haven)called "cuttyhunk and the eliz. islands" . It is mostly a picture book but has text sections on the history of the place back to the descovery. I went to amazon and found this description of it:
The Images of America Series presents a historical invitation to Chuttyhunk, Massachusetts through a pictorial guide. In this book, these captivating photographs and postcards trace the special experience of the island life from the unspoiled habitat of Gosnold's time to the first invasion of summer folk in the 1950s. These vintage images not only show how the islands' rock-strewn landscapes but reflect the hard lives of the early islanders and the attest to the pleasures of picnics and boating as tourism and summer resident brought a modest degree of prosperity. Many previously unpublished photographs of large estates on Naushon portray a life of privilege. Views of Penikese depict the barren dormitories of the lepers who lived out their lives there. This pictorial history captures a colorful past and honors the sturdy men and women who chose to live their lives on these remote and beautiful islands
The amazing thing is how bass fishing played a role in the islands history...some of the pictures are great. Beyond Charles Church's many big fish (and the 73# caught in 1913), a great white shark 13' long came into the harbor and got the folks excited, one of the fishermen harpooned it, the scales were not big engouh to weigh it after a 3.5 hour battle in the harbor. (est 1300-1800#)
The history of the other eliz. islands are also covered. Homes, people, storms life on the island all coverd nicely, very interesting book, once you pick it up you really can't put it down until you have looked at every page.
The Images of America Series presents a historical invitation to Chuttyhunk, Massachusetts through a pictorial guide. In this book, these captivating photographs and postcards trace the special experience of the island life from the unspoiled habitat of Gosnold's time to the first invasion of summer folk in the 1950s. These vintage images not only show how the islands' rock-strewn landscapes but reflect the hard lives of the early islanders and the attest to the pleasures of picnics and boating as tourism and summer resident brought a modest degree of prosperity. Many previously unpublished photographs of large estates on Naushon portray a life of privilege. Views of Penikese depict the barren dormitories of the lepers who lived out their lives there. This pictorial history captures a colorful past and honors the sturdy men and women who chose to live their lives on these remote and beautiful islands
The amazing thing is how bass fishing played a role in the islands history...some of the pictures are great. Beyond Charles Church's many big fish (and the 73# caught in 1913), a great white shark 13' long came into the harbor and got the folks excited, one of the fishermen harpooned it, the scales were not big engouh to weigh it after a 3.5 hour battle in the harbor. (est 1300-1800#)
The history of the other eliz. islands are also covered. Homes, people, storms life on the island all coverd nicely, very interesting book, once you pick it up you really can't put it down until you have looked at every page.