However, as the story goes, a storm came up with very high winds, this pirate galleon was just entering the channel between South Portland and Cushing’s Island, so “Dixie Bull” decided to put into a cove on Cushing’s to wait out the storm. It is said that he put ashore and buried some of the loot taken from Pemaquid. There are several coves facing the channel. Which one was the exact location of his landing? Your guess is as good as mine, but I most certainly would go over these coves, beaches, and bankings very carefully. If anything was located here, you can bet it will be a real find. The year 1632 was a long time ago, and any artifact uncovered here would be worth its weight in gold, not only as an antique but as a real historical piece. Any article found here and checked as to relationship to “Dixie Bull” and proved authentic; would be priceless. The history of Cushing’s Island dates back to the year 1623, when Captain Levett came over from the old country. He was looking for a likely spot to settle and Cushing’s Island turned out to be that spot. Captain Levett was the first white man to settle in Casco Bay. He traded with the Indians and did not try to cheat them. He traded cheap jewelry for beaver and otter skins and got along famously with the whole tribe. Levett built his house near Cellar Point. The Island of Cushing’s has had many names, among these being Andrews, Portland, Fort Island and Bangs Island. Ezekiel Cushing took the island over in 1762 and it has been called Cushing’s Island ever since. If any of you readers are skin diving enthusiasts, you might try a few dives in and around the channel between Cushing’s Island and Willard Beach, South Portland, as a number of cannon were dumped overboard during the War of 1812, and are probably still lying on the bottom of this channel. All sides of the island should receive a good going-over with your detector, as this island is steeped in history of the bygone era of sails. CHAPTER VI SIMONTON’S COVE or WILLARD BEACH So. Portland This cove located on the easterly end of South Portland facing Casco Bay is the scene of early settlers to this part of the Cape, (Elizabeth). Today the cove is known as Willard Beach. It was named for Captain Ben Willard, who was born there in 1828. Ben was a fisherman, pilot, and stevedore. This beach was used by the early settlers, of about 1813 as a landing spot for their fishing boats. Many little homesteads sprung up in this area in the early 1800’s. The old houses, of course, are gone now, but who can tell what might still be hidden along the beach or in the vicinity of the beach and cove.