160 ^ 



100 \'EARS EXPLORING LIFE, 1888-1988 



time to commemorate that event of three hundred years before. When they 

 finally did take note a few years later, they decided not to miss the 

 opportunity altogether. Woods Hole would enact a landing by Gosnold, with 

 Fisheries fish culturist J. Purdum playing the part of the hero. As George 

 Howard Parker told the story, a group rowed the serious Purdum to shore 

 in an old boat, properly decorated for the special occasion. "A plank was put 

 out on which he was to walk to the beach to greet a second body of villagers 

 dressed as Indians. Just as Mr. Purdum stepped onto the plank, a volley was 

 fired unexpectedly from the stern of the craft." As a result, instead of 

 landing in appropriate style on the beach, Purdum fell unceremoniously into 

 the sea. Nonetheless, the hero "waded out of Great Harbor and he com- 

 pleted his part of the performance without cracking a smile." 



E. B. Wilson making 

 music with his daughter 

 Nancy. Photographs by 

 Alfred F. Huettner, 

 MBL /Archives. 



Music 



Music, including classical music, has always played another central 

 role in Woods Hole and in MBL society. In tliose early years, Wilson was a 

 first-rate cellist. Indeed, he had made a hit when he visited tlie Naples 

 Zoological Station as much because he knew and loved music as because of 

 his outstanding cytological research. His daughter became a professional 

 cellist, but the Wilsons were really just the first of a long series of MBL 

 performers. Frank's younger brother, Ralph Lillie, was a marvelous j:)ianist 

 and often played for friends. And Al Romer and Ricky Hiurison (Ross 

 Harrison's oldest son) often shaied songs tliat they had learned, respec- 



