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1886 - Annie Maguire Wrecks

Details of a marker at Portland Head Light

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On December 24, 1886, the bark "Annie C. Maguire" was headed for Portland Harbor coming from Buenos Aires, Venezuela when it hit the rocks at Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth on Christmas Eve.
It's not clear why a ship had wrecked. On the night of December 24, 1886, Weather Bureau journals show there was a 20 mph wind and a light rain.

Though the crew of the Annie C. Maguire had seen the Portland Head Light through the rain, the schooner struck the rocks less than 100 feet from the lighthouse.

The captain stated that he had lost his bearings and did not realize they were so near shore.
Captain Thomas O'Neil, his family, and crew made it to safety with the help of the lighthouse keeper and his son.
The Annie C. Maguire was formerly the celebrated clipper ship "Golden State" out of New York.