100 Years Ago: 1924

Walter R. Cameron, chief carpenter’s mate, and George C. Bleiler, ship’s cook, 1st class, were in Lewiston Friday in charge of a big U.S. Navy recruiting truck on which was mounted a model of the battle cruiser Constitution, which was scrapped in accordance with the 5-5-3 treaty.

The car and crew have covered 3000 miles since leaving headquarters in Boston. They are on their way to Portland where a new recruiting station is to be opened under James H. Wilson, chief gunner’s mate.

The model Constitution was constructed by Chief Carpenter’s mate Cameron in one month.

The Constitution was 846 feet long with an 85 foot beam; capable of making 35 knots. It had 8, sixteen inch guns, 16 six inch guns; four three inch anti-air craft guns and four three pounders. The model was built to scale, being exact in every detail. It was soldered in 3,000 places.

It is a masterpiece of patience and skill.

50 Years Ago: 1974

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) mobilized containment and cleanup crews and a boom was put into place.

A spokesman for the railroad said 24 cars near the front of the 109-car train, pulled by three locomotives, derailed along the lake near the Oakland line. No one was injured.

25 Years Ago: 1999

The Boy’s Home Ec. class at E.L. is really learning and cooking up some very interesting ideas. With the guidance of Mrs. Glenice Bowie, they are taught, among other things, how to plan a meal using the basic four food groups and how to prepare it. Already they have tried their hand at such dishes as spaghetti and meatballs, omelets, muffins and biscuits. Another useful thing which the boys are learning is calorie counting and figuring out the cost of a meal.

The material used in Looking Back is produced exactly as it originally appeared although misspellings and errors may be corrected.