By Craig Skelton

The dock at Southern Maine Community College sits empty today as it has been for a number of years now. Fascinated by boats, I used to ride my bike down to the campus and walk out on the dock to get a close look at the Aqualab.

 I’m told there were four versions of the Aqualab during the years. The one I remember was called the “Leaky Tiki” by students at the school and was a retired mine sweeper. An old friend and neighbor, Dale Lincoln, was a classroom teacher at the then-Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute and chief engineer aboard the Aqualab from 1963 to 1965.

Although that Aqualab and others stationed at the college probably spent more time at the dock than at sea, Lincoln tells an incredible story of one cruise in his book “Clyde Found Fruit Flies in the Berries.”  

It was January 1964 when the Aqualab, with four licensed officers, a steward, 21 seniors, four of whom were student officers along with 24 freshmen, cast off from South Portland toward Florida on a training cruise.

There were a number of planned stops along the way and after visiting the Woods Hole Institute in Massachusetts, the boat set sail south for Morehead City. 

After passing the Diamond Shoals Lightship at Cape Hatteras, they encountered rough going. Lincoln describes their encounter as being the longest 32 hours of his life. The Aqualab, caught in a storm, was tossed about quite badly and the crew endured many incidents, such as flooding from a broken toilet pipe, loss of use of the electronic gear, the gyro compass being disabled and the worst of all things, seasickness. Many crew members were reluctant to go out on deck for fear of being smacked by flying vomit.Due to the seriousness of their condition, a mayday call was attempted at the height of the storm. Along with two student officers, Lincoln repaired the radio antennae that had blown loose. The Coast Guard radioed back that the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Forrestal was moving toward their position and soon after one of the planes from the carrier circled above the Aqualab. A while later the Coast Guard Cutter U.S.S. Johnquil arrived to escort the Aqualab and her crew into Morehead City.

Lincoln had brought along something special he used to restore the crew’s morale. A softball and bat brought on board at the last minute before leaving South Portland days before was trotted out. That day and many days thereafter when they found themselves in port, softball games became a common occurrence There are many interesting stories in Lincoln’s book and I would like to express my thanks to him for his contribution.

Note to readers: The South Portland Historical Society is holding an open house at its new museum and gift shop from now through Dec. 23. We hope you will come and visit to see how the historic Cushing’s Point House is being renovated to become a South Portland history museum at Bug Light Park. Hours through Dec. 23 are: weekdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. For more information, call 767-7299.

Craig Skelton is a South Portland Historical Society member.