HISTORY OF ROWE ISLAND .

[sylvie]

the first community established in the new world was in maine, on rowe island in 1607. located thirty miles of ocean away from the large city of portland, rowe island is a large island, surrounded by the rocky coast and large forests. islands are not all sunshine and paradise, many islands have a mysterious history with some even believed to be haunted. one of the most haunted islands in the US is rowe island. in 1770, William Siren and James Bishop founded Siren-Bishop Hall, an all boys boarding school. Geoge Washington was so impressed by the school that he sent his own nephews there. they built extensively on the large island, creating one of the most beautiful campuses the world has ever seen. in the turn of the century in 1952, SBH was the first boarding school to welcome women. today, SBH still is home to the offspring of the wealthiest and oldest families in america.

commissioned by George Washington in 1795, the Rowe Island Lighthouse was constructed as the islands rocky shores were extremely hazardous to ships. the light house keeper had a wife that loved to sing and play the piano. at night, she would play loudly, hoping that her song would lead the sailor's to shore. doesn't it remind you of that greek myth-the tale of the sirens and their song? anyways, one night, sailors at sea saw the light from the light house and heard her song, they were drawn to rowe island and then they hit the coast, the rocky jagged coast that they had not expected. their ship began to sink, and soon, there was nothing left. no one heard of the sailors ever again. this happened dozens of times, yet the keeper could not understand why. one night, the keeper stayed up and listened to his wife play. he saw the ship crash and heard the frantic cries from his place at the top of the tower. as he saw them drowning, he could not do a thing. by the time he got to shore, they were at the bottom of the ocean floor, resting with the others. when he got back to the light house, he was furious at his wife for luring them to the shore. he took a knife, and he stabbed her thrice. he then disappeared, no one has heard from him since. if you listen closely, you can still hear the piano from the top of the light house. no one has gone up there in years. it is located right outside the campus, so students have easy access to it if they dare.

despite these incidences, rowe island's fish industry boomed. a small town formed outside the grounds of the school. rowe island has become famous for their lobsters and clams. you can find fishermen in the bar, and occasionally catch site of a pirate ship roaming the waters. a short ferry ride can take students to portland.

the most recent report of the island being haunted occurred in 1985 when the lighthouse was being decommissioned and the furniture was being packed by the warrant officer. during the night the officer was awakened by the apparition of a man dressed in oil skins shaking his bed. it seems the ghost had a message, purportedly saying don't take the furniture, please leave my home alone." the next day the boat that carrying the furniture sunk when an accident happened while lowering the loaded boat into the water.

behind the fog lie the rocks that have claimed the life of many. the light house is located on the opposite side of the island, guiding the ships from the north.

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