The War of 1812 is scarcely remembered by Americans of today. We have forgotten that one of the battles inspired Frances Scott Key to write the “Star Spangled Banner,” that the British marched on Washington, D.C., burned our capitol and the White House, and that about a third of Maine was under British control.

Indeed, many Mainers have forgotten that 185 years ago, on Sept. 5, a famous sea battle occurred off the coast of Maine – the battle between the HMS Boxer and the USS Enterprise.

The Portland Marine Society invited Herbert Adams, Portland historian, to tell the story at its annual dinner party at the Saltwater Grille. Members of the society and their guests listened enthralled while Mr. Adams described how the American ship, under the command of Lt. William Burroughs, out-sailed and out-gunned the British ship commanded by Lt. Samuel Blyth. The battle resulted in the deaths of both young lieutenants, and their bodies were brought back to Portland to be interred in the Eastern Cemetery on Munjoy Hill. Twin mahogany coffins, draped in their tattered ships’ colors, were marched through the streets of Portland to the sound of muffled drums and salutes fired from Forts Scammel and Preble. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 7 years old at the time, was in the crowd that lined the streets and immortalized the scene in his famous poem written many years later, “My Lost Youth”:

“I remember the dead captains as they lay

In their graves o’erlooking the tranquil bay

Where they in battle died.”

Visitors to the cemetery today can easily find the graves – three high-standing table stones, one for each lieutenant and one for a young seaman who also died in the battle.

Natural beauties

A group of seniors, members of OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) recently boarded a bus for a trip to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. On the way we stopped at Winters Gone Farm in Wiscasset, home of a herd of alpacas. These unusual animals provide some of the most gorgeous wool I have ever seen. We visited the fiber barn to see how alpaca fleece is turned into ultra-soft yarn and the alpaca store to peruse the beautiful items made from that yarn, from sweaters and jackets to hats, gloves, scarves and socks. The farm offers a trout pool, lovely gardens, walking trails, picnic tables and, of course, a chance to see exotic alpacas munching on buttercups in their pasture.

The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens have to be one of the best things that have happened to coastal Maine and are bound to be a tremendous attraction to tourists, serious gardeners and botanists, and to folks who just enjoy plants.

Located on the Back River of the Sheepscot, 128 acres have now been developed into a series of gardens linked by paths and boasting a variety of plants, all carefully labeled with easy- to-read information including the date of planting, and common and botanical names. Our docent was marvelous – enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and in love with her job. She took us for a long walk covering the major sites, regaling us along the way with all kinds of intriguing information about such things as ferns, ground covers, moose maples and lady slippers,

My favorite spot on the 2-mile hike was the Vayo Meditation Garden, located down by the river. In the center of a circle, surrounded by crude benches made from slabs of Maine granite, sits a massive piece of rough schist. The insides of the rock were carved out to form a simple basin, but in the process, the carver discovered that the inside was actually of granite – so now the water in the basin reflects off a wonderful, elegant, smooth, shiny surface. I also enjoyed resting on a stone bench at the Slater Forest Pond, a peaceful pool bordered by blue and yellow flags, and sheltering several noisy bullfrogs. A scintillating metal sculpture of two herons stands in the water, bobbing gently in the slightest breeze, reflecting the sun as it glinted through the trees.

Busy spring

The Scarborough Garden Club has had a busy spring. The May annual meeting was held at the Purpoodock Country Club. Judith Kinsman, a retired fourh-grade teacher in the Scarborough schools who teaches watercolor classes and workshops, spoke to the group, She brought many of her enchanting watercolors with her, and explained that she was not a gardener herself, because if she were, she wouldn’t have time to paint the flowers in other people’s gardens.

The annual plant sale was held on the first Saturday in June as always and was a great success. Proceeds provide funds for operating expenses, including rent, federation dues, programs, and donations to local groups such as the Scarborough Land Trust. Most of the plants sold are from member’s gardens and thus are guaranteed to survive Maine winters.

The June field trip was a tour of the Tate House and gardens. The house, built in 1755, is a perfect example of classic Georgian architecture and is a handsome sight with its gray, weathered clapboards, mustard-yellow trim, window fan over the door and indented gambrel roof or clerestory. Capt. Tate, who built the house, managed the mast trade for His Majesty’s government, a most important sector of the Maine economy. The gardens behind the house stretch down to the Stroudwater River and are full of such unusual plants as yellow bedstraw, Roman wormwood, soapwort and Good King Henry, as well as the more usual monkshood, lady’s mantle and lovage. One handout included a list of all the plants in the gardens with their origin, Latin name, and how they were used. Another sheet diagrammed all six beds so that we could locate each plant.

Unfortunately, showers interfered with our usual outdoor picnic, but we were saved by the gracious hospitality of the daughter of one of our members, who offered her lovely, 1832 Cape home, whose garden borders the Presumpscot, as a most pleasant alternative.