, 1874-03-26

A GRAND PRoJECr FOR SEATTLE.lIt
will be recollected that in January last
we made an extended notice of project
then on foot by Ssn Francisco Compa-
ny, for opening coal mine on Cedar
river, about seventeen miles southeast
of this city, and connecting the same
with this port by railroad; project
represented by Capt. Robert Battersby.
an eminent engineer, formerly of the
British army. who was then en- yaged in
making q. personal examination of the
ground. When Capt. Battersby return
ed to San Francisco and made his re-
port, it was not only entirely satisfactory
to the Company by whom he was en-
ployed, but attracted the attention. Of
large capitalists who signifed their vil~
lingness to invest in the enterprise and
largely extend its original designs SO as
embrace objects requiring the invest.
ments of millions Of dollars. including
Q railroad. dry dock. ship. yard ifon
menufactory. and the immediate build
ing of six steam prorellersof from 2, 600
to 5000 tons burden each, to be used
in their own trade. as3
Representing this new combination.
Captain Battersby is again here for the
purpose of securing suitable grounds
and water front upon which to carry
sout the projects. This is all that is re-
quired of our citizens in aid of the en-
terprise. and is made a condition prece-
dent to the commencement of the work.
At a meeting of the principal property
holders of the city. on Monday evening,
this concession was verbally guaranteed
and Captain Battersby viii return to
San Francisco Immediately with a writ
ten pledge from responsible parties to
secure to the Company all the land and
water front they may occupy with their
business.
In this connection, we have been re-
quested to reproduce the following por
ton of an article which we publish I
in January, on this subject:
Some of the richest cities Of the Union
-Pittsbnrg, for instance their
growth and prosperity to coal and iron,
without any ocean commerce The
enormous increase Of the iron trade
which bas taken place within Che last
few years, and the constantly multiply
ing uses to which iron Is applied, have
made the manufacture of iron the lead
ing industry of theworld, with demand
which outruns the constantly increasing
supply. This has been as noticeable u
England as in this country. The Scien-
tific American Of January 10. gives a
brief history. with illustrations,, of the
town Of Barrow, with its manufactures
of iron and hematite steel. which is now
used for rails, axles, tiress etc, The
town is situated on tho west coast of
Lancashire, and ten years ago had a
population of less than 400, commenced
its corporate existence only in 1867, and
now has SO. 900 inhabitants and produces
5000 tons of metal weekly. requiring
10000 tons of ore and limestone and
about 5000 tons of coke. A million of
dollars has been expended on harbor
improvements. There is line of ocean
steamers from Barrow to Montreal and
another between Barrow and Rotterdam.
These are private enterprises. The pro-.
fits of the iron and steel works in 1872
were S3,75O, 900. :
To give employment to the women
and children Of their laboring men, the
company established jute factory, for
the purpose of spinning and weaving
fax and jute, and the manufacture of
coarse cloths, saeking. bagging, wrap
perines, etc. This is found very profit
able, gives employment to 1880 hands,
and the stock is imported from India
and China. Various other large manu-
featuring establishments, including a
ship yard which is to employ 5000 men
naturally sprung up, Ss one successful
enterprise always -begets others, and
thus they continue TO multiply in geo.
mstrical progression.
Seattle has far greater natural advans
tages for manufacturing and CONNER
cial town than Barrow. With lands
locked harbor, safe under every stress
Of weather, with abundant anchorage