1864 New Brunswick Cent, 1891 IH, Silver Ring,(I Need A Boat)

[Ahab8]

Works been stupid busy lately and my boss is good at knowing when I need a break. Showed up this morning and he said let's take a day and go play. So we loaded up his boat after a huge breakfast and headed out into the ocean. There are literally 100s of islands off the Maine coast with crazy history. We went to one that is owned by an association of a few people. The deal is that you need permission from one of the members to be out there. We have a client that gave us permission. We got out there and started right beside a cellar hole on the waterfront. First signal on the T2 was a holed 1864 New Brunswick cent (a first), second signal was an 1891 IH. So I'm feeling VERY good about this place. Not crazy old but crazy good right from the start. Dug a few more signals including clock gears and a small case. Not 30 min in some guy comes walking down with his dog and says "What the &$@* are you doing"? I calmly said I'm metal detecting sir. He repeated himself then said "what's your name and telephone number"? At this point I've had about enough of his nasty attitude and asked what the problem was and why he was so upset with me. He calmed down a bit and said that people had been coming out and making a mess of the island. He led me up a trail a ways and showed me the giant holes and pieces of metal strewn on top of rocks. Not good folks. People are destroying that beautiful island. I don't blame the guy for being pissed. It's terrible. We talked for a bit and I showed him pics of some of my finds, explained who I knew as well. Finally he said he was afraid that nice relics would all be taken by people that had nothing to do with the island and didn't have permission to be there. By the end of it he took my number and was going to talk to other members about potentially having me try to save some stuff for them. He also said they had just uncovered 2 very old previously undiscovered cellar holes. So anyway by this time I didn't feel right even sticking my shovel in the ground after seeing the carnage left by others. These idiots are animals. Worst I've seen by far. So I basically left some of the best hunting I've had. But maybe some day I will be invited back to help them out. Stopped at one very small island on the way back and found the handmade ring.
Very disappointing day and if people keep this up we will be done in lots of places. He didn't care about any of the stuff I dug so here it is.

 

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[Garrett424]

Very Nice finds.

Oh, I hope you get your boat.

 

[Greylock]

Nice to see you getting out but it's too bad about those people. It is really disgusting to leave a place that way. Hope you'll get a chance to get back there and to the others sites.

 

[Ahab8]

Nice to see you getting out but it's too bad about those people. It is really disgusting to leave a place that way. Hope you'll get a chance to get back there and to the others sites.

The one positive to today was seeing the coppers clean up so nicely considering they came off the shore of the ocean. Gives me hope for the other island sites I'm dying to hit. I think these spots will be very productive

 

[cjon455]

Nice finds abe!, sucks that some donkey with little regard for the hobby came in there and trashed the place!

 

[Argentium]

Wow ! This story is so sad - the few who are wrecking things may no longer be so few, I'm seeing stories like this popping up
regularly . City parks , beaches , increasingly are being closed to metal detecting . These scumbags are making us look like
greedy looters without regard for the environment . I too hope you can find some peaceful and productive hunting areas ,
where there's no need for approval by a committee - just you and your detector . Nice finds .

 

[CoinandRelicMan]

Must be nice having a boss that gives you a day off =) I've run into a few places where people dug stuff and then left the trash behind ! I had to pick up all the junk they left and repack their diggings as well as possible. Really hate seeing this happen. Looks like you got some good findings that ring looks to be a great find if only it could talk !

 

[RelicMedic]

First of all, great hunt and nice finds! Secondly, hats off to you for doing it right. I don't care if I'm 3 miles in dense woods, the holes are filled and garbage is taken out. It's appalling to know that people with the same hobby can be so disrespectful. It really tarnishes our image and black marks us all. It blows my mind how adults can act like children. It's a damn shame, but much too common.

 

[park pirate]

Sweet finds like that ring..

 

[70monte68]

Nice find and the condition. I would bet those islands are holding some goodies, good luck!

 

[Old Dude]

Congrats Abe on your finds. I share your anger over the way some people act. It's the same in any outdoor hobby though. Look at trash along our highways, creeks, woods...it all comes down to laziness and having no respect for the property of others.

 

[Vino]

Nice finds Abe...The good news is you spent the time with the guy and showed him were not all a-- holes...Instead of tell the guy to go fly a kite...Nice way to represent! !!
George

 

[dirtlooter]

its sad but true, good luck on going back and great finds, love the ring as well

 

[Chuxter]

Ahab, I always love reading your detailed posts. It is too bad the small percentage of unruly detectorists have to ruin it for the rest of us that really do properly leave areas as good, or in better condition than we find it. You're right, you can't blame the man for being upset. On another note, nice finds anyway. I didn't realize there were so many islands off the coast of Maine! Lots of opportunity for history. Anyway, it's great to know you represent the metal detecting hobby well and have great integrity. Keep the posts coming, and hopefully get that invitation back to the island. Looking forward to seeing more of your finds.

-Chuck

 

[treblehunter]

Nice finds bud, I run into holes with garbage laying in them allot close by me. I have spent allot of time covering back up somebody's mess.

 

[Ahab8]

Well a bit of good news this morning. The guy that gave me permission to be out there forwarded me an email that he sent to the man on the island. It was a ringing endorsement of my integrity and also spoke to the fact that I would absolutely turn over anything of importance to the island in a heartbeat, no questions asked. Some good may come of this yet.
I also got a bit more info on why these people are so pissed. It's not just us with our metal detectors. Obviously as I stared before the huge holes and metal on to of the rocks are one black mark, but there's been hunters out there pushing deer across the island and shooting close to houses. Hunters without permission to be there. Also people have stolen things from the homes of the seasonal residents, which are most of the people there.
So this is heading in the direction of me possibly being the island relic recovery man for there VERY TINY island historical society. It would be a re honor and like Vino if I can dig a great item and have a picture I'm more than happy. Thanks for the feedback and best of luck guys, Abe

 

[Greylock]

Good to hear buddy. Can't wait to see what ya get. People have no respect these days

 

[Ahab8]

Good to hear buddy. Can't wait to see what ya get. People have no respect these days

Thanks GL. Feels good after getting screamed at yesterday :-)

 

[Greylock]

Ya you took a beating yesterday. Go out the coil to the ground and let it all fade away

 

[Ahab8]

Ya you took a beating yesterday. Go out the coil to the ground and let it all fade away

On my way bro