Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-03-17
a Novel SaW-Mill.

At Humboldt Bay, two hundred and TWEEN
ty miles north of the entrance to the Bay Of
San Francisco, four prosperous lumber
mills, all doing great business in supplying
the San Francisco market. The saw Mill es-
tablishment of Messrs Ryan, Duff s. Co., is a
novel affair. 1t turns out million and half
feet of lumber per month, and is driven by
steamboat porer. A San Francisco correspon-
dent Of the Boston Post describes the estab-
lishment as follows e.
A steamboat of 300 tons, known as the
Santa Clara was procured one year ago,
and provisions 10 sufficient number OF work
men tor three months, was despatched to the
appointed site. Having been emptIed OF ev-
eryIhng but her original machinery, by en-
pIoyinQ air casks a windlass, and an eXtraOr-
binary tide, she was landed high and dry
some distance on shore, and being placed on
an upright level, was sustained III such pO-
stion by filling in about her. As if by mag
ic she was transformed into firmly built
house her water wheels were taken from
her. the shaft remaining and cog and fly
wheels appended. Contiguous TO this boat
was speedily erected a fine three story struc-
ture, built Of Is inch timber, and calculated
for durability and permanence. Proceeding
directly through the center Of this building,
and coming from the original shaft OF the
steamboat has been run large and power
flil shaft for the turning of the huge saws
which dssect the logs, and turn them TO
boards, shingles, clapboards, aths, joss
scantling and imber in all its varieties, from
10 to 100 feet long and IA to 20 inches
Hbo cJ,oft IN nc DlaPpI
upon The second floor, these gangs may con-
tain saws 10 the number OF a hundred, and
reduce The logs according 10 the option Of
the proprietors. Here also large circular
saw for cutting slabs, and 40 inch circular
saw for edging. The boards Obtained from
The natural process of saving are conveyed
by means of a sluiceway, interspersed with
rollers, TO the wharf, upon which has been
laid railway. They are received upon a
large car, and already piled and orderly, re-
tain sufficient impetus 10 convey themselves
20 the extremity, where they are checked and
placed on board the vessels waiting for car
goes. Apprehending some difficulty in OBJ
tanning tile logs for their booms, The wind
lass from The steamer was procured, and be-
ing firmly fixed Oh pivot has been used by
means of a chain cable 10 draw the logs IN
endless succession up an Inclined plane into
The aparIment-n itself furnishing one of the
most ingenious pieces of mechanism which
it is possible to imagine.
Thus you will see what may he accom-
plished by per severance united TO lndomita-
ble energy and a natural mechanical talent
Out OF steamboat in wiIds almost unknown
at home, has grown Putilng, sIeamIne,
hard working saw mill--one that IS capable
Of producing lumber in any quantities, snpe-
rior 10 any growing in California, greatly re-
sembling the eastern pine, and at prices thai
will render importation from the states al
most useless. The calamitles incident to The
country have given a market 10 lumber I'M
precedented in demand and price, and lair
prospect of continuance OF such condition
renders the prosperity OF milling establish
ment matter beyond doubt. But this sue
cess has not been attained without obstacle
and disaster. In the commencement three
vessels containing some 5OO,OOO or QUO 900
feet Of lumber were lost, and their contents
were for nought. This arose from ignorance
Of the coast and its dangers. subsequent
knowledge, however, has renewed any pres
emf apprehension, and their cargoes are land
ed 10 the city and delivered with all the reg
ularty which marks their production at the
MILL stout, smart, little steam tug, of
some eighty tons, has also been purchased,
to aid in bringing vessels into the bay and
taking them out, so that every impeachment
to complete harmony in the whole enterprise
seems 10 have been surmoInted.