Rollo Amasa Morton Eulogy

Rollo Amasa Morton

My Cousin-written by Florence D. Myers

             Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me,

            And may there be no moaning at the bar, when I put out to sea.
            But such a tide as moving seems asleep, too full for sound and foam.
            When that which drew from out the boundless deep, turns again home.
            Twilight and evening bell, and after that the dark.
            And may there be no sadness of farewell, when I embark.
            For tho’ from out our bourne of time and place, the flood may bear me far,
            I hope to see my Pilot face to face, when I have crossed the bar.

                        Alfred Lord Tennyson

and so-in November of 1947, jovial Rollo Morton crossed the bar to meet his Pilot.

A man of height, a man of brawn, good sense, humor and integrity he will be missed by the Coast Guard men of Maine and New Hampshire, his pals and friends.

For many years, Captain Morton, as he was familiarly known, was an officer at different stations on the Maine and New Hampshire coast and for several years till retired, his was the smiling face as “Officer in charge” seen at the Fletcher’s Neck Station at Biddeford Pool, Maine.

Born in the small fishing town of Lubec, Maine in 1875, he as a small boy roamed the sea in different kinds of boats-he roamed and he fished and did all the things a boy does around the coast. He loved the smell of the salt air, the boom of the surf, the tolling bells and the mournful fog horn-and so-in 1905 he went into the Life Saving Service, which in 1915 was changed to Coast Guard.

For many years Captain Morton was in the employ of the United States Government service at Rye and Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, also Rockland and Damiscove Island in Maine. From there he was transferred to Biddeford Pool, which station he was retired from to go into the hills of his native state-where in Bridgton all neighbors and friends called him Captain Morton-a big man with a big smile for young and old.

During Captain Morton’s command, the weather be “thick” as the boys called it, his commands were obeyed for he was a man who demanded action and respect and who loved the men under his command.

It was a pleasure to hear the Captain spin a yarn of the sea for he tried to make his listener think there was no thrill in being in a small boat on a big sea, yet-in another breath he would tell of some rescue of years ago when seventeen men were taken off a boat and all saved aboard. Hot drinks, hot food and warm clothing for all.

Life boats and breeches buoy were used in the saving of lives. During the winter, when other were in a snug home, these men by the sea are often having a rough time and a cold time on rough waters in a small craft, where snow blinds the man at the oars, yet he keeps on.

When the beach cart is taken to the shore and the gun loaded,  the ropes shot to the stranded vessel, it means business-but-Rollo Morton will never tie another line or watch one being tied and shot to sea-he lies beside still waters near the Bay of Naples in Maine.

A brave and good man who passed the bar with a smile, trusting his Maker would meet him and carry him on safely, as he and his boys brought lost men safely from the raging sea to a safe harbor.

Crossing the Bar was just a quiet and pleasant voyage to the man who was loyal to family, friends and the government.

A direct descendant of Governor William Bradford of Mayflower fame, he was proud of his lineage-for those were brave men who landed at Plymouth Rock so many years ago.

The sea was in his blood and during the winter months when the waters rage and the boom of the surf can be heard against the rock bound coast of Maine, I shall listen and remember-a grand cousin-Captain Rollo Morton.

            There is a word, of grief the sounding token;
            There is a word of bejeweled with bright tears
            The saddest word fond lips have ever spoken
            Its utterance must ever bring emotion
            The memories it crystals cannot die;
            ‘Tis known in every land, on every ocean-’Tis called “Goodbye”


*************************

                                                            Station White Head, Maine
                                             USLSS Station #5, First District Coast Guard Station #6
 Keepers:  Rollo A. Morton (acting until appointed on November 20, 1918, he went to Damiscove Island station soon thereafter)

                                                         Station Damiscove Island, Maine
                                                       Also referred to as Damariscove Island
                                                                   Coast Guard Station #8
                                                       This is now a private summer residence.
Keepers: Rollo A Morton(reassigned from the White Head station on November 20, 1918 until reassigned to the Fletchers Neck station on February 1, 1923)

                                                         Station Fletcher's Neck, Maine 
                                                                Formerly Biddeford Pool
                                    USLSS Station #6, First District Coast Guard Station #11
                                      This is now a private residence with no visitors allowed.
Keepers: Rollo A. Morton (from Damiscove Island station on February 1, 1923, he was reassigned to the Kennebeck River station on May 11, 1933).

1930 US Census, Biddeford, Maine