Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-05-30
LETTER FROM ROCKLAND.


RocKLAND, May 25,h, 1874.
To the Editor of the Journal:
At last we have green grass, dry, dusty
roads, and the piping, croaking frogs to tell
us spring is upon us.
Trade and traffic'are anything but brisk here
This spring, and drummers, those skirmishers
of trade, in spite of their affable and polite
opportunities meet with but little success in
business there seems to be a waking up from
the lethargy and stagnation of winter that is
at once both pleasing and encouraging, and
especially is this SO in the building line. for
dwellings and public edifces are in course of
erection Cor about to be) in every quarter of
the city.
Work has recommended on the new U. S.
Post Office under the superintendent of Col.
E. r. Spear, and if the work don't 60 forward
with expedition and promptness, it won't be
his fault. Truly Rockland is looking up !!
And when We get our new post office, court
house, cupolad dwellings, paved streets,
and daily paper, look out then! l don't sup
pose there will be any touching US with ten
foot pole. Several vessels are being built at
the South End, and Snow & Farwell's Marine
Railway located there is in such demand that
they cannot attend to all that apply for re-
pairs. A description of this marine railway
may not be amss here. The rails are much
like the ways laid for vessel to launch on,
with the addition of middle rail with cog
geer much like the middle rail of the Mt.
Washington r. r., and for the same purpose
Ga purchase and guide) These rails run far
out under water but are exposed at ebb tide.
Upon this is placed a skeleton. frame, re-
sembling ships frame only the upright sup
ports are eight and ten feet apart. Huge,
heavy chains connect this frame with turn
ing beam in round house at the upper part
of the railway or yard. Two horses are
hitched to horizontal bar and travel round
and round as they do in pressing hay bv horse
power. This draws the frame up and a re-
verse action will carry it back into the water.
A vessel needing repairs, especially below
the water line. waits for high tide. The
frame is then run out to the extent Of the
rails, and at high water nothing is seen but
the upright supports to the right and left
CARDBOARD and starboard.) The vessel is then
guided between these, and as the water
lowers she gradually settles into the frame.
when she is hauled up on dry land and under
goes the needed repairs. They have two of
these railways which are in constant use.
A new granite pavement on Main street
is among the things probable here within a
year or so. 1t is much needed improve
ment, as the heavy line-rock teams, which are
passing continually, cut up the streets in
shocking manner, particularly in the spring
and fail.
The advent of our new paper, the Crock.
land Daily Globe is anxiously looked for
ward to by many of our citizens.
wooden building opposite Farwell &
Ames' Hall on Main street has been fitted up
exclusively for its accommodation. On the
outside is seen conspicuously prominent the
words "Rockland Daily Globe" Ilearn that
there will be a weekly issued in connection
with it. The citizens generally promise to
sustain it, and a wealthy gentleman in partic-
ular says st must succeed"
In accordance with vote of the citizens in
March last he liquor agency was abolished,