Famous early aviator, Charles A. Lindbergh completed the first solo transatlantic flight on May 21, 1927. The handsome pilot of The Spirit of St. Louis, became world-famous, overnight. Along with fame came public adoration and the omnipresent paparazzi.

Lindbergh asked Ann Morrow to marry him in 1929. The world braced for a celebrity wedding. By the time the press got wind of the actual secret marriage in New Jersey the couple had already slipped away on a 38-foot honeymoon vessel. The owner of Elco Boatworks gave reporters a very detailed description of the aviator’s new yacht, the “Mouette”.

She put into Cape Porpoise Harbor on June 6, 1929, and anchored very near Goat Island Light for the night. Melville Freeman wrote in his 1953 “History of Cape Porpoise” that residents of Cape Porpoise were unimpressed by Lindy’s visit and were completely discreet out of respect for his privacy. An article that first appeared in the Portsmouth Herald June 7, 1929, told a different story.

Captain Jim Anderson, keeper of the lighthouse, was offended that the little launch he thought he recognized from the newspaper stories, failed to answer his customary salute of three bells. He grabbed his powerful binoculars and was able to identify Lindy and Anne moving about the boat. The following morning, the lighthouse keeper revealed to a Portsmouth reporter that the honeymooners turned out their cabin light at 8:25 p.m.

Jack Seavy and John Martin rowed out to the Mouette under a cloak of darkness. They quietly made their way to the stern of the yacht and lifted the canvas that covered her name just as Lindbergh appeared on deck. Thinking quickly, the Kennebunkport boys claimed they were there to see if he needed assistance. After thanking them wryly for their kind offer, Lindy said if they wanted to help, they could leave him alone. The boys left as requested but not before studying the lovely young woman silhouetted in the cabin door.

The couple proceeded up the coast the following morning but returned to Cape Porpoise for provisions on their way home, encountering Frank Wakefield, an honest man.