Boothbay Harbor, ME to Camden, ME

Friday, July 24, 2026

Departure: Carousel Marina (Boothbay Harbor, ME) Dock C 8:30AM

Special Comments:

• Our bow neighbors pinning us in left early this morning around 5:30AM. I didn’t hear them but, Jacques did. Our alarm was set for 7AM, to shower and top off the water tank since we’ll be moored for the next few days.
• Captured some fantastic footage of M/V Asturias (N63) anchored as we left Boothbay Harbor, ME this morning.
• Cruising along noticing lobster pots set in 171′ of water. WOWser!
• Geeze, there’s ALOT of lobster pots here! Even in marked channels.

About Camden, ME:

• Aldermere Farm, famously nicknamed “oreo cows” for the Belted Galloway cattle with their distinct black and white striped bodies.
• Attractions: Camden Hills State Park, Camden Opera House, Camden Public Library, Camden Snow Bowl, and Curtis Island Lighthouse.
• Average household income, $82,344 (2025).
• Average residential purchase price, $704,885.
• Backdrop for films: Captains Courageous (1937), Carousel (1957), Casper (1995), In the Bedroom (2001), Peyton Place (1957), The Cider House Rules (1999), The Man without a Face (1993), and Thinner (1996).
• Boulder was placed in Harbor Park honoring the Spanish-American War veterans.
• By 1880’s transformed into a prominent summer colony, attracting wealthy seasonal residents from northeastern cities building elaborate mansions along the waterfront. 
• Camden Public Library not only lends out books but also loans out high-powered astronomical telescopes for stargazing over the dark harbor skies.
• Celebrates Christmas by the Sea Festival with Christmas tree lightings, caroling, caroling, craft fairs, holiday markets, parades, and performances over several days. Santa Claus even arrives annually by boat at the Camden Public Landing.
• Considered the Windjammer Capital, home to a historic fleet of windjammer cruise schooners (1940s).
• During the American Revolutionary War (1775 – 1783), served as a strategic location.
• Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892 – 1950), American Poet composed her famous breakthrough poem, “Renascence,” while sitting at the summit of Mount Battie. Becoming the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.
• Every February, the town hosts the national toboggan championships at Jack Williams Toboggan Chute, sending riders down a 400′ traditional wooden ice chute that flings them directly out onto frozen Hosmer Pond.
• Fire (1812) driven by strong easterly winds destroyed the business district. Rather than deterring development, the Great Fire preceded a period of increased summer colony growth.
• First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 – 1962) visited to christen the launch of the 194′ barge Pine Tree, one of four barges built here. 
• Formerly known as Cambden Plantation unofficially known as Megunticook, meaning “big mountain harbor” in Native American.
• For two hundred years, Camden was a manufacturing town.
• Historically, included Rockport, West Rockport, Rockville and Glen Cove.
• Highly controversial drama, Peyton Place (1957) local residents were hired as extras for $10 daily.
• Incorporated since 1791.
• Local shipyards launched the first six masted schooner ever built.
• Made national headlines in 2010, after announcing the town would be giving some land away, 2.8 to 3.5 acre parcel along the Megunticook River (formerly Apollo Tannery site). Condition that a prospective business owner pay an upfront purchase price ($175,000 to $200,000) that would be refunded only if they created 24 full-time, year-round jobs meeting specific local wage thresholds within five years. To date, no agreement nor transaction has occured.
• Megunticook River (1812) provided abundant water power for various mills.
• Mount Battie (Camden Hills State Park) offers sweeping views of Penobscot Bay.
• Mount Megunticook standing at 1,385′ is the highest point.
• One of only two locations on the Atlantic seaboard where the mountains meet the sea.
• Population of 5,204 (2025).
• Seaside village known as the “Jewel of the Maine Coast“.
• Soap opera Passions used several locations to represent the fictional town of Harmony
• “Tourist Town”with its harbor, lakes, mountains, and rivers has attracted vacationers since 1857.

Arrival: Lyman-Morse Camden, ME Mooring Ball#62 3PM

Next Stop: Little Hen Island Anchorage (Vinalhaven, ME) (Monday, 7/27/26)