From the December 3, 1937 edition of the Vineyard Gazette: A new survey of the Cape Pogue opening is now under way, according to Rep. Joseph A. Sylvia. Following the completion of the survey, estimates of the cost of dredging and protecting the opening will be announced, following which bids on the work will be called for. Turner and Breivogel of Falmouth, who have handled various construction jobs of the kind in Vineyard towns, have already taken soundings and measurements, preparatory to submitting bids on the work, once the survey is completed.

At present the opening is practically closed through the movement of sand which has washed over the jetties, and the jetties themselves have been damaged by the sea. Mr. Sylvia said that the north jetty must be taken up and rebuilt, and that repairs must be made to the other. The shores must also be riprapped to prevent further filling, once the opening is again established.

Fishermen and others full familiar with the location and conditions, have always declared that the opening would have been successful had it not been for a delay in delivering the stone for the jetties. Because of this delay, the tide and wind half-filled the dredged channel, banking sand along the bottom where the stones for the jetties were to be laid. For this reason, it is claimed, the jetties not only failed to stand, but also constituted but little protection for the channel while they did remain in place. If, they say, the jetties are properly constructed, there is no reason why the opening will not stand to the satisfaction of all concerned.

This pond is one of the finest shellfishing localities on the Island.

No stranger can possibly appreciate the problem the Vineyard has in making various beach openings and otherwise altering its geography in what seem to be minor ways. The Katama Bay opening being an established success, fishermen are now advocating further work at Cape Pogue. The beach seems narrow enough, and it would appear to be no great engineering feat to dig and keep a navigable opening from pond to ocean, especially since there have been natural openings many times and Cape Pogue has often been an island by itself.

Cape Pogue, brought thus into the news, is a fascinating place. For a small point of sand it even has an astonishing nomenclature. One finds the Haulover, Sheep Shear Pond (or Shear Pen Pond), Drunkards Cove, Simon’s Point, the North Hole and Great and Little Necks. In the time of the Indians the Cape was probably cut off from the rest of Chappaquiddick at the Haulover, a short distance east of Drunkards Cove. Here was the first place of contact, for it was the first land the early explorers came to in voyaging westward along the coast.

At times the tillable land was ploughed and planted to corn, and at one period about 140 acres were so used. The last time this land was cultivated was in 1826. Sheep Pond was last used for washing sheep in 1854, the old custom of shearing the flocks at Cape Pogue passing into disuse after that year.

Where the lightkeeper’s house stood in 1853 is now several rods off in the water. Cape Pogue, washed and blown by sea and wind, has changed a great deal through the years. Now it is the side of a small colony of summer homes and camps, and mankind, in the face of some past bungling and hard luck, hopes to make it an island once more, so that the tides will run from the ocean into the pond.

The construction of platforms at Sengekontacket Bridge for the protection of fishermen who use that place of vantage is more than a safeguard; it is a tribute to the importance of sport fishing on the Vineyard. This type of fishing is sometimes referred to as “angling,” to differentiate it from the commercial fishing familiar hereabouts. But “angling” is a fresh water word, and may be taken for a tame word, whereas fishing for striped bass — even when long night hours go by without a bite — is not tame. Sport fishing is a good phrase to include not only the taking of striped bass and bluefish from bridge and beach, but deep water exploits after bluefish, marlin, sword and tuna.

Gunning has diminished in importance in recent years, but sport fishing is a growing attraction to those who visit the Vineyard. When the staging is completed at the bridge, it will be a visible and permanent sign to all comers that here is a place to fish. Instead of seeing a few ardent sportsmen standing at the bridge rail dodging cars at night, passing motorists may be tempted to stop and see the fishermen on platforms of their own, their sport recognized and made safe and more pleasant.

Incidentally, Anthier’s is becoming more and more famous. This is the other name for Sengekontacket. But where did Anthier’s come from? Years ago Islanders sometimes spoke of Aunt Thiar’s (or one of several variations of this form) and presumably Anthier’s is a shortening of the longer name. Who was Aunt Thiar and where did she live? We should like to have this question answered.

Compiled by Hilary Wallcox

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