Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-09-08
The Pembroke Iron Works.

We copy the following description OF the
Pembroke Iron Works from the CORE
spondence OF the GospsI Banner
The town OF Pembroke Is located near
the seabord on the stage road leading from
west TO nclnasr aud Kockiand Il IS .ttu
ated IL miles from Eastport and 20 from
Calais, and has population Of some 3, 900
4 considerable river, called the Pamequan
runs through 1t lcngthwisc and furnishes
water power sufficient to turn no small
amount Of numbering and other machinery.
But the main business Is connected with
the celebrated Pembroke Iron Works
must acknowledge my surprise at the
extent and perfection OF these works and
the amount Of capital invested here Thir-
~ years ago or more, some man or men OF
means put up buildings here for rolling
iron, but probably not possessing sufficient
enterprise 10 secure success, partial or en-
tire failure was the result few years
subsequently,. some gentleman fully ac-
quainted with the business, happening he re
on fishing expedition during their yaca-
ton rambles. noticed 1.-THE situation" and
made purchase OF the mills, privilege,
and an extended tract OF land about the
premises. l.. l.. Wordsworth, Esq. OF
Duxbury, Mass, then comparatively a
business, was employed aud sent down
here TO superintend the manufacture OF
iron. lie soon became sole agent and had
charge Of the entire works which were en-
larged and extended from time TO time till
they now cover an area OF more than N rec
acres u ground.
The main buildings are appropriated to
furnaces Of all descriptions; some Of them
OF sufficient size 10 receive aud heat 90 q
welding heat, nearly half ton OF iron at
time. These furnaces are kept In fun
blast both day and night for the entire
week. two sets Of hands, 800 in all, being
required to man the establishment, when
pressed to It's utmost capacity. The whole
is driven by the combined force OF water
and steam. The sides OF the building are
thrown entirely open for the free circula-
ton Of the air, especially during the in
tensely hot weather. and thus all the oper-
atoms within are exposed to the gaze Of
the astonished beholder without. On o
dark night when these "1ery furnaces" are
In full blast and the half naked, sOoty ..pud-
dlers" are stirring the laya, and others are
drawing forth the red hot bars and running
them through the ''sQueezers" and .roll-
rs,"-amid the smoke and hea. Of the
place, and all its din and commotion, the
scene Is exciting enough and reminds one
for all the world of the old fashioned re-
ligious notions in which he was educated,
Of demons and devils, the fires Of hell, and
the smoke of their torments ascending for
ever and eyer.
When running on iull time, SI2o, 900 are
paid out to laborers annually, and the
quantities Of raw material consumed are as
follows
1900 tons ofpig iron.
5000 tons Of iron ore
1000 tons OF coal and &, 900 tons Of fire.
sand.
Much ofthe time during the war, when
the mills were running on extra iuli time
~ tons % finished iron were turned out
every "a hours, ard from 1900 to 5000
los. bolt rivets and $50 kegs OF nails of 100
lbs. weight each, were manufactured every
"a hours, and from 1000 to 5000 lbs. bolt
rivets and $50 kegs Of nails or 100 lbs.
weight each; were manufactured every II
hours. In brief these "Works" are among
the most extensive, thorough and perfect
OF any In New England. The landing for
freight vessels, where all the iron ore and
coal are received and the manufactured ar.
ticles are shipped, is within mile, SO that
PROBABLY there Is no establishment OF the
kind anywhere In the country in which bus.
mess u done with greater economy or lar
ger dividends have been declared on the
capital stock invested.
But for the last year business has dimin-
ished. and small portions or the mills have
been Idle At the present time, however,
1t seem to be improving, and stIll better
results are anticipated In the future, from
the favorable eaects II il thought that the
European war, now rigging, will have on
commercial interests Of our country. pow
Farming, bodybuilding, the man1fscturs
Of lumber and other interests euter into
the business transacted here; but it Is Ill
secondary to that connected with the
"Iron Works" when the mills are Quiet.
quiet reigns universally. WV !,