Cecil Burnham stands in his South Bristol boat shop, Shew and Burnham, on Thursday, May 9. Burnham retired from the position of South Bristols harbormaster in March, after 35 years of involvement with the towns harbor management. (Johnathan Riley photo)
The harbor ordinance in South Bristol, established in 1988, only slightly predates Cecil Burnham’s involvement with the town’s harbor management, which began in 1990. After 35 years, however, Burnham retired from the position at the age of 82.
“At 82 years of age I just figured it was time to step aside and for someone new, younger to be doing it,” Burnham said, sitting in his boat shop, Shew and Burnham, near Bittersweet Landing Boatyard in South Bristol.
Burnham said his health has also played a factor in his decision, citing ongoing issues with his shoulders and a hip.
“I figured, hey, before it gets any worse, it’s time,” Burnham said.
Burnham served 10 years as deputy harbormaster until 2000 and has served as the harbormaster up until his March retirement. Previously, his late business partner and longtime friend, Dick Shew, was the harbormaster.
The position has had more to manage over the years, according to Burnham. For example, when he first started, he said there were only 250 moorings in the town. Today, there are about 690.
In addition to the higher numbers of moorings, there are more people in South Bristol according to Burnham and seeing more folks around town is enjoyable.
Aside from almost triple the amount of moorings, there are also new concerns about aquaculture and how it impacts the waterways of the town, according to Burnham.
However, while there have been changes throughout the decades, Burnham said the interactions with the people along the way have usually been pleasant.
“Majority of people have been great to deal with,” Burnham said
Burnham, originally from South Bristol, grew up in East Boothbay around his father’s side of the family. In 1968, he started his boat shop, specializing in the construction of wooden boats, in South Bristol with Shew.
In 1975, Burnham moved back to South Bristol, where his mother grew up, to be closer to the boat shop he and Shew had been operating since 1968.
Burnham estimates that he’s put together 215-220 boats in his lifetime: boats ranging in size and style from a 40-foot lobster boat down to a 7 1/2-foot dingy.
However, the boat Burnham and Shew put together most often, what Burnham called their “bread-and-butter boat,” was the 12-foot whitehall rowboat.
Burnham said their boats are in places as far away as Norway and England, but they’ve largely sold their vessels to folks in the New England area, including one for Martha Stewart, the famed business person and host of “The Martha Stewart Show.”
“It’s been a dang good life,” Burnham said, smiling.
Burnham’s life after the harbormaster position for Burnham includes more time in his boat shop down near Bittersweet Landing in South Bristol and fishing.
“I love going around the corner and fishing off of Pemaquid Point,” Burnham said.
He also has a recreational lobstering license, which permits him to five traps, according to Burnham, which is something he’s enjoyed doing the past four years is looking forward to more of in the future.
“You catch what you need, and any extra you put in the freezer,” Burnham said.
South Bristol Select Board Chair Bruce Farrin Jr. said Burnham was an invaluable member to the town who has made sizeable contributions to the position.
The South Bristol Select Board dedicated this year’s annual town report to Burnham in honor of his years of service to the town.
“Mr. Burnham is sorely missed,” Farrin said.
While town officials continue to search for the next harbormaster, Farrin Jr. and other town officials are sharing the position’s duties.
Those interested in serving as harbormaster of South Bristol can call the town office at 563-3977 or email townoffice@sbristol.gov.
