By the mid-1930s, Cobbett's Pond had become summer destination for those living in nearby cities, especially the Greater Boston area. It was also during that period that motorboats became more commonplace on the pond, a result of increased affordability. James Hallett, a native of Malden, MA, was just one of many summer camp owners at Cobbett's to be the proud captain of his own motorboat during the summer of 1936. Possibly after a summer of constant operation, Hallett spent an October Tuesday repairing his motorboat at his camp. While making the necessary repairs, Hallett fell into the water, and began to drown. Fortunately, his wife witnessed the accident and began to cry for help. Hearing the cries of Hallett's wife, men from nearby cottages ran to rescue Hallett, and were able to pull him from the water. As Hallett was in need of medical treatment, the Methuen Fire Department was called to send an ambulance to transport Hallett to Lawrence General Hospital. At Lawrence General, Hallett was treated for immersion, and likely released shortly after. The accident and heroic effort on the part of Hallett's neighbors were covered by The Portsmouth Herald just a day later.
