Captain Bill Campbell has worked on the waters in and around Boothbay Harbor for 50 years.
He started with Captain Bob Fish at the age of 15 on the Maranbo II, then operating as the Squirrel Island ferry. Captain Fish, no entrepreneurial slouch, realized that there might be an opportunity to expand his business by additionally running tours for people visiting the region. Bill worked as a deckhand eventually graduating to “tour guide." After that Bill even got to drive the boat a bit.
His father, Captain Bob Campbell, bought the Maranbo II and then the fleet began to expand with the addition of the Balmy Days for trips to Monhegan and in 1996 the current Novelty, built by MDI Boatworks in Southwest Harbor. The new boat was finished off by John Luke and Bill at Luke’s East Boothbay yard, then put into service. The Novelty is a 47-foot vessel capable of carrying 79 passengers. Squirrel Island is a regular stop on all the Novelty trips, regularly bringing supplies and vacationers. Sometimes special arrangements are required, for weddings, freight and service, further accommodating the needs of island residents. Bill and his dedicated crew are well known for making extra efforts.
In a 2015 article written by then ace cub reporter Suzi Thayer for the Boothbay Register, on the occasion of Bill’s 40 years at the helm, Suzi asked if he ever gets tired of the daily runs to Squirrel. Captain Campbell easily responded, “Every trip is different.” And to be sure, his most recent trip over to Squirrel was quite different!
In honor of Bill’s 50th year, Squirrel Island residents, who had not departed, organized a surprise thank you to show their appreciation. Bill tied up at the island dock as he has done a thousand times before and was greeted by a small crowd singing “For he’s a jolly good fellow” ... and nobody could deny! Bill, not inclined to be a seeker of the limelight, was clearly impressed by the outpouring of genuine appreciation. A potluck gathering followed at a resident’s home where even more island folk gathered to celebrate the significant milestone.
Bill’s wife Kelly Johnson Campbell and Bill’s mother were both able to join in. Many who attended gave personal accountings of how much they appreciated Bill’s service over the years. One young lady even shared how Bill had been asked to drop her off at St. Andrews Hospital dock because she was about to give birth. She was delivered just in time!
I tried to make a very loosely calculated guess at how many trips the Novelty might make during the “high season.” If the boat runs six to seven trips per day, seven days a week, that’s say, 50 trips per week. This does not include evening runs and “specials," which are unscheduled trips. So in July and August alone that’s 400 runs. But there are runs, on a reduced schedule, pre and post season and all winter long, taking contractors and supplies to the island. Then prior to the Novelty there were hundreds of trips on other boats. Bill would be the first to admit that it’s not just the Bill Campbell show. During peak times 15-17 staff work with him in the booth and on three other vessels.
The Squirrel Islanders made it very clear to Bill how much they appreciate his years of service.
They have been his extended family. He has watched children grow up and family members pass. He has seen generations evolve. Ultimately, for Bill, he has cultivated a personal community. His parents, sister and wife all contributed to creating a lasting legacy of service and care. In 50 years Bill has contributed much and gained great respect. It’s been a good run with strong relationships built over many years, "which nobody can deny.”