SCARBOROGH – Public libraries are a great asset to any community, and Scarborough can certainly be proud of its local institution that offers so many services to its residents.

I find it especially valuable in the winter months of January and February when days are short and the weather is tricky. Senior citizens might find several offerings of particular interest – a movie shown in HD on a big screen on the first Monday of every month, a book discussion group meets on the first Tuesday, and Let’s Talk America on the first Thursday, a knitting group meets every Saturday morning and, of course, always available are large print books, e-books, and a grand selection of DVDs, newspapers, and magazines.

This past month, the Friends of the Library hosted another in their Literature Series. Jim Nelson, naval historian and author, spoke on “The Far Edge of Conflict: The Naval War of 1812 on the Coast of Maine.” He told several interesting stories, first explaining that immediately after war was declared, Congress authorized the issuance of letters of marque and reprisal which allowed the owners of private vessels to capture British ships, sell them and their cargo, and pocket the prize money. One of the earliest of these privateers was the “Dart,” built in South Portland (then Cape Elizabeth) in just five weeks, sailing on its first voyage two months after the declaration of war. On its fifth voyage, it captured the brig “Dianne” sailing out of London for Quebec with a cargo of rum, nicely matured for many years in the original barrels. The savvy Mainers siphoned the delectable liquor into special bottles with a distinctive label and sold it for a pretty penny, making a fortune.

The “Dash” was another highly successful privateer with a fascinating story. Constructed on the banks of the Harraseket River in Freeport, she sent in 15 prizes on her seven cruises, earning fortunes for her owners, the Porter brothers, of Portland. However on her eighth voyage, she entered into a speed trial with the privateer, “Champlain.” The two ships stayed together until nightfall, when a sudden squall came up and the “Champlain” changed course when it found the water shoaling. The “Dash” was never seen again, presumably it foundered on Georges Bank, all hands lost at sea. The poem, “The Dead Ship of Harpswell,” by John Greenleaf Whittier, commemorates the event. One of its stanzas reads, “She rounds the headlands of bristling pines; She threads the isle-set bay; No spur of breeze can speed her on, Nor ebb of tide delay. Old men still walk the Isle of Orr Who tell her date and name. Old shipwrights sit in Freeport yards Who hewed her oaken frame.”

Mr. Nelson went on to say that most naval battles of the war occurred on the Great Lakes or on Lake Champlain. However, there was one famous incident involving Maine ships that took place off the island of Monhegan in early September, 1813 – the battle between the British brig “Boxer” and the American brig “Enterprise.” The 14-gun “Enterprise” had been sent to Portland for the protection of the coast from harassment by the British. Meanwhile, the 12-gun “Boxer” was providing protection, for a large sum of money, to the American merchantman “Margaretta,” thinly disguised with Swedish papers, on its trip from New Brunswick to Bath. She was carrying bales of British wool and such lucrative trade was condoned by the British although illegal. The “Boxer” even pretended to fire on the smuggling schooner as she entered the Kennebec, an unlucky act as fishermen off Halfway Rock heard the guns and reported the presence of the “Boxer” to the “Enterprise.”

The “Enterprise,” under the command of Lt. William Burrows, 28 years old and in command of his first ship, located the “Boxer” off Pemaquid Point and the two ships engaged in a fierce battle. Commander Samuel Blyth of the “Boxer,” 29 years old and also in his first command, was killed in the first cannonade. Burrows was wounded soon after and also died before the end of the battle. In less than an hour the “Boxer” had lost her main mast and most of her sails and was forced to surrender, to be towed into Portland harbor by the victorious “Enterprise.”

Mr. Nelson explained that an impressive state funeral was held for the two dead captains and that they were buried side by side in the Eastern Cemetery. I remembered seeing their graves some years ago and wanted to learn more about the ceremony. Fortunately, my husband’s library provided the perfect source, “Portland in the Past with Historical Notes of Old Falmouth” by William Goold, published in 1886. He describes the procession forming in front of the Court House at nine in the morning, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1813. Twelve marshals, the Portland Rifle Company, Capt. Shaw’s Infantry and Capt. Smith’s Mechanic Blues, led the way to Union Wharf to meet the barges carrying the coffins of the two Commanders. The procession, now joined by the officers and crews of both the “Enterprise” and the “Boxer,” officers of the U.S. Navy and Army, members of Congress and the Portland Marine Society, judges and bank presidents and directors, then wound its way to the Meeting House of the Second Parish for a church service and on to the Eastern Cemetery, through streets lined with citizens watching in solemn silence. Thunderous salutes from muskets, ship’s guns, and the guns at Forts Preble and Scammel, accompanied the parade. Many years later, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow remembered that ceremony that took place when he was 6 years old. A stanza from his poem, “My Lost Youth,” reads, “I remember the sea-fight far away, How it thundered o’er the tide! And the dead captains, as they lay Where they in battle died. And the sound of that mournful song Goes through me with a thrill: A boy’s will is the wind’s will, And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts.”

Marta Bent lives in Scarborough.