"The Wreck of the Isidore" is a compelling new 102-page book from Harvey Reid. Though known primarily as a guitarist and songwriter, Reid is a brilliant writer, and this book picks up where his epic 2001 song "The Wreck of the Isidore" left off. Fans of Reid's music will enjoy the perspective and writing of this book, and fans of local history who encounter the book will no doubt discover Reid's considerable musical talents. A 13-song CD comes with the book, and includes 4 songs written about the shipwreck plus 9 other instrumental tracks from his catalog, including an un-released 6-string version of the Star Island Jig.

Anyone who has lived or visited Maine will be intrigued with this lovely and interesting book, and as you gaze out at the rocky Maine seashore, it is hard not to imagine what it would be like to be on board a doomed sailing ship in a fierce gale. And it is hard not to hear Reid’s words ringing–

“And we sing once more of the Isidore
Of the cold New England sea
Where the hand of fate and a sailor’s life
Forever ‘twined shall be.”

On November 30, 1842 in a blinding snowstorm, a spectacular shipwreck occurred at Bald Head Cliffs in Cape Neddick, Maine. It was to be the worst maritime disaster in Maine’s long seafaring history, and all 16 local men on board perished in the frigid waters. Due to the eerie circumstances of the wreck, the powerful story of the crew’s premonitions of disaster, and lingering reports to this day by local fishermen of a ghost ship, it was said to be the most widely told tale in Maine a century ago.

The crew, ranging in age from the 15 year-old cabin boy to the 53-year old cook, all hailed from the Kennebunk, Maine area, 12 miles up the coast. The newly-built 3-masted barque was on her maiden voyage, headed for New Orleans and then for France. It was the worst storm that anyone alive could recall, and the unlucky ship foundered in the dark night and was smashed to pieces on the cruelest stretch of rock on Maine’s South coast.