Sam Chute has spent 20 summers working the Songo Lock in Naples. It’s a rare job, given that there aren’t many hand-cranked locks left in the country.
For 12 hours a day, four days a week, six months a year, Chute cranks the lock open and shut as part of a system that equalizes water levels to let Long Lake and Sebago Lake boat traffic pass.
The lock machinery was made in 1911, the same year the Titanic was launched, Chute notes. He learned about the job from a friend who was working the lock at the time.
Chute, who is from Casco, said his favorite part is meeting people from all over the country.
“I’ve seen license plates from all 50 states in the parking lot,” he said.
The worst part of the job? Sore feet from long work days.
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