In response to the front page article by Nok-Noi Ricker, “Remnants of major naval defeat found.” (BDN, Oct. 6) This is one of the best written and researched articles I have read in this paper. My sincerest thanks to Ms. Ricker for her time and effort to research this overlooked yet important early history of the Penobscot River and Bay. I want to also express my gratitude to the Cianbro Corp. for finding and safeguarding an enormously important part of our local history, which has been sadly overlooked.

This latest discovery (remnants of possibly the SALLY and the Josiah and John Brewer tidal dam) will hopefully give the Brewer side of the river a chance to be the catalyst for major effort to bring this area to the realization that the American Revolution did not stop in Boston.

We are currently researching a very important site in Camden that came about as a result of the retreat after the horrific naval disaster of 1779. American Capt. George Ulmer was sent by the Mass. Gen. Court in June of 1779 to build Fort Pine Hill, which was then Camden and is today Rockport. This became the American Headquarters on the Penobscot Bay with barracks built a half-mile away from the fort. The barracks housed 200 militia and included a group of Penobscot Indian soldiers who served with distinction under Lt. Andrew Gilman and Lt. John Marsh.

The complete story of the Penobscot Bay and the American Revolution has not yet been told. This entire area should join together to recreate what happened here. The Penobscot Expedition and naval defeat of 1779 was an enormous defeat for the Americans. I can foresee a “Freedom Trail” being put together to tell tourists and natives alike, what it was like to be alive in the District of Maine during one of the world’s most important events.

Carol B. Smith Fisher

Camden