The Portland daily press., 1870-01-20
Portland Va a. Dor.
rnn DErfAcroRs or THE NATURAL SEAPORT
ANSWERED..

the Boston Daily Advertiser of the 23d ult and
in the Boston Journal of the 9TH inst, in which
are discussed the comparative merits of Port
land and Boston harbors, demand the publica-
ton Of a few plain facts which would appear
to be unknown to the authors of those state
ments.
Vessels of the largest size ever built can en-
ter Portland harbor, day or night, with forty
feet of water, at low water, and lie safely at
anchor in that depth. inside of line connect
ing the breakwater with Fort Georges, on Hog
Island Ledge, and distant not more than one
half mile from the Great Eastern steamship
wharves in Portland. This anchorage is shell
tered from the easterly storms by Hog Island,
Little Hog Island, Hog Island Ledge, House
Island, Peaks Island and Bangs Island, vary
ing IN distances from one fourth of m'le 10
lone mile and a half from the anchorase' whi'se
1t IS but IL miles distant from rort''hu iieao
Light, at which point vessels at once enter tne
harbor from the open ocean,
Tho entrance from this anchorage into the
Sinner harbor" is obstructed by single "bar"
fabout 600 yards in wiith) stretching from the
"middle ground" near the Great Eastern
steamship wharves, across 10 the breakwater.
This bar, until recently, could not be cross
ed with more than II feet of water at mean low
water, Tor rs IA feet at mean high water) But
new channel is now being dredged through
this bar, having depth of tacenty feet at mean
lou water, or 30 IA feet at mean high wa
ter, which has already been completed TO
width of 125 feet, and the work is still in pro-
gress with view to its completion before the
coming summer. So that vessels can now pass
through this new 20-feet channel with 20 feet
OF water at mean high water, and lie safe at
anchor in water varying in depth from % to
36 feet at mean low water, between Central
wharf and Portland bridge ,ths latter point
being not more than four miles distant from
the ocean opposite Portland Head Light, fol.
lowing the ship channel Or they can pass TO
the north and west of the middle ground" in 81
feet OF water, at mean low water, or 80 IA feet
at mean high water, and lie at anchor off the
Great Eastern steamship wharves in 26 to 20
feet of water at mean low water; and pass
thence up through narrow channel varying
from 100 to 200 feet in width) into the inner
harbor with 10 IL feet at mean low water, or
q "a feet at mean high water. This channel
is not less than 300 in width for 81 feet of wa
ter, at mean high water.
The above information is obtained from reli-
able authority, and is partially based on a re-
survey of the harbor made in 1867, with view
to the improvement of the harbor.
Now if the coast survey chart of Boston har
Dor, published in 1866, shows the present con-
dition of the haIbor, as is more than probable
that it does, there is now but IA feet of water
at mean low water, or "a feet at mean high
water on the ''upper middle bar" which bar all
vessels except those of small class must cross
in order to reach the wharves of Boston and
Charlestown.
From the foregoing facts it will be seen that
the Monarch, which is said to draw % IL feet
(att), cannot cross the supper middle bar" into
Boston harbor, even at ordinary high water;
but can either lie safely at anchor in Portland
outer harbor in 40 feet of water at low water,
or can, at three-quarters flood, enter the inner
harbor and lie in Sc feet of water at mean low
wafer.
was preferred to Boston as harbor for the
Monarch?
BRIEF JoTTINGs. The annual meeting of
the stockholders of the Atlantic & st. Law
renee Railroad Co. which Was to have taken
place yesterday morning was adjourned to Sat-
Ilday morning next, same time and place
Messrs. Nickerson and Smith, from the photo
graph establishment of j. W. Black, Boston,
are in town to photograph the interior of City
Hall, and the funeral fleet when it arrives
They are stopping at the st. Julian Hotel
The Peabody funeral car, of which we gave an
elaborate description few days ago. has been
ore 1u INN in brt la
al of the white alpaca border from the drapery
which covers the lower part of the car and SUBJ
shutting a futed border of black broadcIoth
with heavy silver fringe. The change reflects
great credit upon the taste of Col. John NJ.
Brown and Mr.. c. P. Kimball, under whose
direction it was effected. The car can be seen
at Mr.. Kimbalrs carriage depository under the |
Preble House.-Col. L. D. NJ. S Xeat has ap- |
pointed as aides during the Peabody ceremo- |
MES, Col A. w. Bradbury, Maj. w. e. Don |
nell, w. w. Thomas jr., Samuel Chadwick, |
Frank NJ. Ordway; Charles f. Libby.-Dr. S.
Ell. Weeks gave supper last night to the stu |
dents in the Medical School at his residence. |
We understand it was very pleasant affair
Grand Army Hall is looking beautifully. TIE |
side walls have been painted to correspond |
with the frescoing, and elegant shields with |
appropriate designs hung around the sides of
the room. We understand the preparations
for the Fair on the first of next month are pro-
crossing finely and spleudil affair may be
anticipated-An elegant day yesterday with
good bracing air.-The Mechanic Blues have |
been furnished with now muskets.-The |
Haydn Association had another fine rehearsal |
last evening.