Boothbay Harbor ME (Maine)

Boothbay Harbor ME is a small port town in Lincoln County (Maine USA) with a total area of approx 24 km2 (9 mi2) and a population of around 2,000.

The area was part of the Cape Newagen - seasonal fishing camp established by the British. In 1666, Henry Curtis bought the land from Mowhotiwormet (aka Chief Robinhood), who lived in the current Woolwich. However, the settlement was burned during King Philip's War (1675-78) and resettled afterward, then destroyed again in 1689 during King William's War (1688-97) and abandoned for 40 years.

Colonel David Dunbar (governor of Sagadahock) established the new town in 1730 under the name Townsend. During the American Revolutionary War (1775-83), in spite of battles and robberies by marauding British, Townsend was quite successful due to its deep-water, large and well-protected natural harbour. The town was renamed Boothbay in 1842 and continued to develop as an important fishing port. In bad weather, it was able to berth between 400-500 ships at a time (mostly sloops/sailing boats). By 1881, it had 1 ice company, 1 fertilizer manufacturer, 1 canning factory (for lobsters), 2 railways, 1 fishery, 1 fish oil company.  In 1889, the community was incorporated as Boothbay Harbor town. Frank L.Sample Shipyard built here minesweepers for the US Navy during WW2 (1939-1945) and into the 1950s.

During summer, Boothbay Harbor attracts numerous tourists. Main attractions and activities include state aquarium, restaurants, art galleries, boat tours to coastal islands, whale watching. During summer months, the entire region becomes a notorious yachting destination.

As cruise port, Boothbay Harbor ME is included in the regular schedule of USA's largest river cruise company - American Cruise Lines. The next table shows American Independence ship's 7-day "Maine Coast and Harbors" itinerary as ports sequence.

Prices started from ~USD 3100 per person with double occupancy.