The Portland daily press., 1869-07-29

Thursday Morning. July 2e, 1859.
Republican Nominations.
h9 FOR GOVERNOR
JOSHUA L. CHAMBERLAIN,
I.st,sr ,rsm Lincoln Couu,y.
CORTLAND,
OF BRUNSWICK.

g. ,... DAMARIscOTTA, July 25, 1862
10 the Editor qf the Press:
Damarscotta river is tide water as far as
DamariseoLta Mills, more than twenty miles
from its mouth, and is broken al the bridge
| by fall OF lOur feet at low water.
At the "Mills" is fall of some forty feet,
through narrow channel, or rather cham
nels, for there are several, making the cost of
dams quite light, in fact merely nominal.
The supply Of water is never falling, being
the sDamarscotta Pond" more than twelve
miles long, extending between Nobleforo and
Newcastle, and nearly dividing the town of
Jefferson. Its placid waters we're, few
years ago, disturbed by steamer that Piled
between the Mills and the head Of the pond;
but not proving a success 10 the proprietors,
| she was hauled off,
This immense water power is only used TO
furi match factory, saw and grist mills, but
cannot long remain uuimproyed, after means
| Of transportation are furnished, as they will
be when the Knox and Lincoln railroad is
completed. The grading is being pushed Wig
orously, the piles being driven in Wiscasset
river, and next month it will be commenced
here, BY June next the iron horse will be
snarling over these hills and rivers, ready 10
bear away the products of the farms aud fac
tories, and bring in return whatever is need
ed for use, or consumption. 'e'N
The banks of this river formerly echoed the
sound ofthe carpenters axe from score Of
ship yards which gave plenty and wealth to
an industrious and enterprising population,
and their hardy sous have sailed their ships
on every sea; but now the yards are deserted
and their young men gone to seek their for
tunes in other occupations and to give to
other places the benefit of their industry.
= Only one vessel is being built here the pres
ent season, a sBark" Of about 700 tons, by G..
w. Lawrence, Esq, for parties in Baltimore,
and designed for the South American trade.
| !, 1t. is to be hoped that gosernnent will
recognize the ship uilding interest by such
legislation as 10 enable our builders TO compete
with foreign builders, and our carrying trade
to be done IN American bottoms and our
maritime coast find employment for its young
men and the decaying towns become flourish
ing iseni ,4i 7'"
in aye olden time the Damariscotta was "a
live with oysters, but the precious bivalves
have long since disappeared, killed by the de-
bris, from the mill That the Indians must
have made them. prime article of diet is
shown by the immense banks of shells depos
on the banks OF the river just above the vii
lage. Some shells have been found to meas
ure fourteen inches. lit is enough to make
ones ''mouth water" to imagine the dusky
aboriginesn RECALLING themselves on oysters
such as Delmonico never furnished.
- Had not these beds been destroyed by civ
| ilization's" advancing saw mill ley would
have proved source of wealth beyond esti-
mate. ..,.ts. .,,...r
If any OF your readers are at loss to know
where to spend their vacation let them take
passage on a 4 board the steamer Charles
Houghton Oh Saturday, and after delightful
trip among the isIandsand up the river find
themselves at this place, take lodgings at the
Maine Hotel, with its neat and airy rooms,
clean beds, and table 'iit for king" with
such attentions as traveller receive from "mine
hosts Sanborn and Jacobs. They cannot
fail to enjoy the respite and quiet the place
affords. -lJ ll s..l tliif-ai f..
Speaking of Hotels, our friend McAlister
has just opened the Damariscotta House, at
the "Mills," which he has fitted and furnish
ed very neatly, making it just the place for
one in search OF a retreat in which to rest.
RAMBLER.