Record High Tide Washes Away Historic Fishing Shacks in Maine

A record high tide in Maine washed away three historic fishing shacks that had stood since the 1800s and formed the backdrop of countless photographs. The dramatic incident, which was caught on video, happened just two days after a shipwreck from 1911 was exposed by another storm on a beach in Maine.

Michelle Erskine said she was visiting Fisherman's Point at Willard Beach in South Portland on Saturday when she captured video footage of the last two wooden shacks sliding into the ocean.

"Oh no. They're both going. Oh no!" she can be heard saying on the video.

Erskine, who has lived in South Portland all her life, said her son had his senior photos taken at the shacks and wedding parties often visited them.

"It's truly a sad day for the community and the residents of South Portland," Erskine said in an interview on Sunday. "History is just being washed away."

The shacks, owned by the city of South Portland, had just undergone a facelift in October when they were repainted.

They were the last in a series of fishing shacks that predate the city's incorporation after they were first built along the shore and then moved to their most recent location in the 1880s. Erskine said they once housed lobster traps and fishing gear. Two shacks were destroyed in an earlier storm in 1978.

A record 14.57-foot high tide was measured in Portland, Maine, just after noon on Saturday, after a storm surge amplified what was already the month's highest tide, said National Weather Service meteorologist Michael Cempa. That broke the previous record of 14.17 feet set in 1978 and was the highest since measurements began in 1912. Cempa said the tide gauge measures the difference between the high tide and the average low tide.

The surge flooded some homes in Old Orchard Beach and Kennebunkport in Maine, and Hampton Beach in New Hampshire. 

"I've seen a flood, but I've never seen anything like this and I lived here for 35 years," Hampton resident Susan McGee told CBS Boston.

The floods came just days after a previous storm damaged one of Maine's most beloved lighthouses which is featured on the state quarter.

"Very sadly, all three fishing shacks at Willard Beach have been completely destroyed in the storm," the city wrote in a social media post.

Despite the destruction caused by the recent storm, the South Portland Historical Society remains optimistic. They had the foresight to enlist architects and engineers last year to create drawings in preparation for such an event. This way, they can easily rebuild reproductions of the shacks if necessary. The society is now seeking donations to support the rebuilding efforts.

In another incident during the storm, a fishing boat ran aground in Cape Elizabeth. Fortunately, the Coast Guard was able to rescue all four individuals on board, as reported by CBS affiliate WGME.

Shipwreck from 1911 exposed at Acadia National Park

As the winter storms battered the state's beaches, a fascinating discovery was made at Acadia National Park. WABI-TV reported that the recent storms unearthed a shipwreck dating back over a century. The wreck of the Tay, a schooner that ran aground during a storm in 1911, was exposed at Sand Beach.

Visitors were amazed to see the remnants of the ship, including large iron nails that were still exposed. Alissa Bischoff-York, one of the visitors, shared her surprise with the Bangor Daily News.

According to the National Park Service, the Tay was navigating the treacherous coastline during a powerful storm on July 28, 1911. It struck a ledge and broke into pieces. The crew clung to the broken mast until the tide went out, allowing them to reach the safety of the sandy beach.

Shipwreck and Salvaged Lumber

During a powerful storm, a schooner carrying a significant cargo encountered a tragic fate. The forceful waves caused most of the vessel's cargo, consisting of approximately 90,000 feet of spruce planks, to be washed ashore.

In their desperate search for safety, the crew found refuge in a nearby residence owned by the Satterlee family. Grateful for their hospitality, the crew members decided to honor the shipwreck by collaborating with the Satterlee family to construct a boathouse using the salvaged lumber.