Information AboutCasco Bay |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT CASCO BAY | |
| bays of maine | |
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LOCATION 43°38'N 70°03'W HISTORY There are two theories on the origin of the name "Casco Bay". One theory is based on Spaniard explorer Esteban Gómez , who explored the Maine coast in 1525 and named the bay "Bahia de Cascos" (Bay of Helmets, based on the shape of the bay). The second theory is based on ''Aucocisco'', the Abenaki name for the bay, which means 'place of herons' (or sometimes translated as 'muddy'). The islands in the bay are also called the Calendar Islands, based on the popular myth there are 365 islands. This was first reported in 1700 by Colonel Wolfgang William Römer , a British military engineer, who reported there were "as many islands as there are days in the year.". The ''United States Coastal Pilot'' lists 136 islands. Robert M. York , the former Maine state historian said there are "little more than two hundred islands." The bay is also home to abandoned military fortifications dating from the War Of 1812 through World War II ; During World War II , Casco Bay served as an anchorage for U.S. Navy ships. The State Historic Site of Eagle Island was the summer home of Arctic explorer Robert Peary . MARINE ECONOMY Portland has a substantial fleet of deep-sea fishing vessels, which offload their catch primarily at the Portland Fish Exchange . Numerous towns and islands serve as ports for lobster boats. Recreational fishing boats can also be chartered. Marinas include
During the 1980s and 1990s, Bath Iron Works operated a Dry Dock in Portland Harbor to repair U.S. Navy vessels, but the operation was discontinued. ECOLOGY Predominant Fish in the bay include Mackerel , Striped Bass , and Bluefish . Shellfish include Lobsters , Crab s, Mussel s, Clam s and Snail s. Harbor Seal s congregate on certain exposed ledges, and Whale s on occasion swim into the bay, and in a few instances into Portland Harbor . Seagull s, Cormorant s and varying species of Duck s are the most common birds; more rarely Osprey , Eagle s and Heron s have been sighted. Casco Bay contains Bay Mud bottoms and banks in some locations, which provide important substrates for Biota . TRANSPORT ferry returning to Portland after its journey out into the bay]] The major islands in the bay are served by the Casco Bay Lines ferry service in located at the Maine State Pier in Portland. Peaks Island is served by a car ferry, and during the summer sees 16 ferries a day. The other islands see fewer ferries and no car transport, the Diamonds and Long Island are served primarily by the Diamond Pass run, which is popular with tourists in the summer months. Other services offered by Casco Bay Lines include a daily mailboat run, cruise to Bailey Island, and a sunset run. Other services such as water taxis are also popular alternatives to the ferry, but are limited to 6 passengers per boat. MAJOR ISLANDS
MINOR ISLANDS
LIGHTHOUSES Casco Bay is home to 7 Lighthouse s.
FORTS NEWSPAPER The newspaper for the islands of Casco Bay is '' The Island Times '', which is a free publication, printed monthly. NOTES |
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