WRITTEN BY WANDA CURTIS
One of Maine’s best-known celebrities, who entertained crowds from around the world, was a harbor seal named Andre. He was first discovered near Robinson’s Rock, a small island in Penobscot Bay, in the spring of 1961. Former Rockport Harbormaster Harry Goodridge spotted the young seal pup in the water while cruising in a friend’s boat, searching for a harbor seal to become his scuba diving partner. Harry was not only a harbormaster, but also a professional scuba diver and tree surgeon.
In the book A Seal Called Andre, Harry recounted that there was no sign of the seal pup’s mother when he spotted him. It appeared the pup was only a few days old and had been abandoned. Harry was surprised when, instead of submerging in the water, the young seal pup swam toward the boat and looked him directly in the eyes. That was the beginning of a relationship that would last 25 years.
Harry scooped the creature up in a net and into the boat. He adopted the seal pup that day, before regulations prohibited it, and took the pup into his home. It didn’t take long for the seal pup to become an integral part of Harry’s family. Harry said the seal pup joined in family activities with the children — swimming, sledding, and watching TV. His children chose the name Andre for the new pet, who rode in the back of the family station wagon.
The author of Andre the Seal: Rockport and Boston’s Most Popular Resident said Andre weighed 19 pounds when Harry took him home and put him in a bathtub in his basement. As Andre grew bigger, Harry built him a pen in Rockport Harbor and taught him how to do tricks. Soon, crowds began to gather in Rockport Harbor to watch Andre perform on a floating dock.
The same author said that by 1964, Andre could do more than 50 tricks. He could shake hands, ring a bell, and jump through a motorcycle tire. Andre became a rising star in the community and was invited to take part in community celebrations. More than 7,500 visitors showed up to watch him perform in Rockport Harbor that summer.
No Place Like Home
Rockport Harbor freezes over during the winter months, so Harry made arrangements to transport Andre to the New England Aquarium in Boston or the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Once, when Andre stopped eating, Harry had to pick him up and bring him home because he was apparently homesick.
When Andre was released into the ocean in Massachusetts after spending the winter at the New England Aquarium, people were anxious to see what would happen to him. Harry always thought Andre would return to the wild.
Everyone was shocked when Andre swam back home to Rockport Harbor, a journey of about 150 miles. Andre had no intention of leaving Harry. The two had formed an inseparable bond.
Every spring thereafter, Andre made his way back home to Rockport Harbor, where he continued to entertain the public. People would report sightings of him along the way. Andre’s migration was followed closely by the news media.
Andre Honored by the Town
Andre brought a lot of enjoyment, as well as prosperity, to the town of Rockport. People traveled from far and wide to watch him perform, patronizing local businesses while in town. His fame secured a place on the map for the small town, which otherwise may have gone largely unnoticed. Andre was appointed Rockport’s honorary harbormaster.
In 1978, well-known Lincolnville sculptor Jane Wasey carved a limestone statue of Andre and mounted it on a granite base, commemorating his life and legacy. The statue still sits near the water’s edge at Rockport Marine Park.
According to the nonprofit group Legacy Rockport, tourists still travel from around the world to visit Andre’s statue. Its website, LegacyRockport.org, says, “Couples from all the continents take selfies beside him and families even trudge through the snow in the deepest part of winter to visit the statue.”
The website says the statue recently needed repair, and locals pitched in to ensure it was preserved. There were large cracks in Andre’s head and torso. People were concerned that without repairs, the statue would continue to deteriorate.
The website says Woolwich sculptor and engineer Andreas von Huene inserted pins into the statue, securing the base of the head and supporting the limestone. The total cost of the repairs was $13,000. Funding was supplied by the Rockport Garden Club, Legacy Rockport, and donations from community members.
Andre’s Final Journey
In 1986, Andre embarked on his final journey home from Massachusetts to Rockport. His journey that year was cut short. It was mating season, and Andre got into a fight with a wild seal. He was severely injured and succumbed to his injuries. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Harry’s backyard.
Rockport Town Manager John Duke said recently that Andre will always be considered an important part of Rockport. Andre’s picture is included on the town seal.
“I wish there was another harbor seal like Andre today,” Duke said.
According to Rockport’s current harbormaster, Abbie Leonard, people never get tired of hearing the story about Harry and Andre. She said people who come into her office often want to talk about them, and many ask questions.
“It’s a tireless story,” Leonard said. “An unending story.”