The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-08-24

We have received from the Superintendent
of photographic Publication, copy of this
important document. 1t is book of entire
ly unique and quite remarkable character,
being the first example, so far as we have
knowledge, of an attempt by State to adver-
tise to the world facilities for manufacturing
by water-power. Such body of information
upon this topic has never before been put in
print in our language. The report though
but partial and provisional shows our re-
sources Of mechanical power to be in the high
est degree remarkable, and makes the won
der greater than ever that some such attempt
as this at advertising th ose resources to the
world had not been thought OF and so put in
to execution before.
HISTORY OF THE ENTERPRISE.
A survey or exploration of the water-pow-
er of this State was first recommended by Wal
ter Wells, Esq.,, in the columns of the Daily
Press, Dec. 1866. The suggestion was adopt
ed by Gen. Chamberlain in his first Address
to the Legislature, and subsequently by the
Legislature itself, which passed a resolve,
Feb. 1867, authorizing the appointment of a
Commissioner to have charge of such sur
vey. Messrs. John A. Poor, A. d. Lockwood,
and Hannibal Hamlin, were made Commits
sioners, and Walter Wells Secretary of the
Board. Active operations were commenced
July 1867. The materials of the first Repert
were presented to the Legislature Jan. 1868.
The commission having terminated, resolve
was passed March 1868, authorizing the APP
pointment OF a superintendent to have charge
of the publication of the matter collected,
the incorporation of additional facts, and the
general management of the enterprise. Mr..
Wells was made Superintendent and this Re
port was issued under his supervision. N
COMM ssIoNER's REPORT.
This consists of a cursory survey Of the
general geography Of the State, mathematical
and physical, its political boundaries and the
historical circumstances by which these have
been determined; the astronomical post ion
of the State with quite elaborate tables of the
latitude and longitude of prominent parts up
on its frontier; the elevation of the State
above sea level with full collection of spec
ial observations and measurements thereup-
on. Other features in its physical geography
are discussed, as its mountains, forests, lakes
and rivers. Also its climate as peculiarly ia
vorable to manufacturing industry, being
quite exempt from oppressive heat of long
continuance. The areas of several of the
principal river basins are given, and re-
sumo of the notable characteristics thereof.
| The report which consists of thirty pages,
forms all appropriate introduction to the re-
port of the Secretary and the specific matter
| of the water power of the State.
| sEcRETARY's REPORT.
| The report of the Secretary of the Board
occupies 327 pages OF the document. From
his Preliminary Statement we abstract the
following facts:
| Out of the 81 500 square miles contained
within the State, nearly $4,000 are represent
ed in the report, the number of different wa
ter powers embodied being 2,0l5. The power
| ON the Penobscot in the twelve miles above
Bangor is estimated at 10000 horse-powers.
| On the Kennebec, Augusta has 5000. Wa
terville $500, Scion 1900, Skowhegan $500,
Fairfield 1900, Anson and Madison 6,OOO
horse powers. On the Androscoggin, Lewis
| ton has 14,5O0 Brunswick $500, Lisbon Q, 740,
Livermore 5000, Jay 1850, Rumford 21,00O
horse powers, gross. These are only few OF
the principal falls on the lower sections OF
| three OF the main rivers and the power spec
ifed is for the lowest stage of the streams.
The sum total of power represented in the
| report, is estimated at not less than 100000
horse powers, gross, and is susceptible OF
| being more than doubled by the use OF the
numerous and great natural reservoirs upon
the streams. The sum of power available in
the whole State is estimated as upon tull de-
velopment, not below 10000 horse-powers,
net. The significance OF these figures may