The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-02-10
DAr1mHNG LONG CREEK.
The Views of HarbOr CommissiOner
Farley.


Representative of the PRESS made some
inquiries Of Mr.. G. FL. Farley, one of the har
Dor commissioners, yesterday concerning the
probable effect of dam across Long Creek.
Mr.. Farley said that our harbor is o tidal har-
Dor and owes its existence and depends for its
preservation upon the securing action of the
tidal current. Fore river is basin which
holds vast bulk of water, and this, as it flows
out, carries with it large proportion of the
surface washings and the material which is
brought in by the sewers. Sand loses two
thirds of its weight in water, and much of the
other material is carried out to sea before it
touches bottom.
In explanation of the reason why a flood
tide does not bring into the harbor as much
material as the ebb tide carries out Mr.. Far
ley said that in the first place an ebb tide runs
faster than flood tide. An ebb tide is run
ning through an ever-narrowing channel. A
Hood tide runs through channel that is con.
stautly widening. As it advances it spreads
out on either side, and that checks it. The
observations in Portland harbor in 1873 shows
this theory to be correct. Off Browns wharf
the ebb is fifty per cent stronger than the
food.
In the second place the ebb tide flows down
hill, for the water deepens towards the mouth
of the harbor, while food tide flows up hill,
and, as before stated, with a diminished We
locity.
Third, the water of the ocean is compare
lively pure and probably but a small part of
the water which flows out of the harbor flows
back again, but ia replaced by the pure water
of the sea.
The natural tendency of Fore river is to fill
up. The water as it Gibbs away from the shore
has little or no power to move solid material
that has once reached the bottom, and it is
only as the water accumulates below towards
the front harbor that it gains velocity and
force. This velocity depends upon the bulk to
be discharged. Comparisons with early sur
veys show that Fore river has already bsen en-
croached upon to the extent of about one hun
dred acres. "A dam across the mouth of Long
Greek would take forty or fifty acres more, and
exclude on a rough estimate more than three
hundred thousand cubic feet of tide water.
In reply to suggestion that the tide
might be allowed TO flow into Long Greek in
the summer, damming it only for few months
in the winter. Mr.. Farley said that when
that gates were to be built in the dam and the
tide allowed to ebb and flow except in the few
winter months when the ice Is made and har-
vested; but it is found that to make good
ice the salt water must be permanently ex-
cluded.
Long Greek is Ina Cape Elizabeth.
To the Editor Of the Press:
In the discussion touching the proposed dam
across Long Greek in Cape Elizabeth, while
due consideration may have been given the
interests of the State Reform School, the har-
Dor of the city of Portland and "the AUDITORS"
whatever this latter phrase may imply, there
appears nowhere any consideration or refer
ence even to the fact that Long Creek is en-
tirely beyond the limits and subject to no iur-
isdiction of the city of Portland, except what
voice the city government may have in the
management of the State Reform School.
Now this is well so far as it goes-but it is a
fact that the town of Care Elizabeth has an
existence and may have some rights worthy of
consideration in matter involving the dis
posal of some seventy or a hundred acres of
navigable waters within her limits, and the
future and entire exclusion of the public from
any rights therein.
Now the facts are that the town of Cape
Elizabeth has common interest with the city
OF Portland In careful protection of the har-
Dor IN all Of its valuable features, and would
add all her influence to that of the city in this
direction. Further, the town of Cape Eliza
beth has no disposition to exclude or retard the
development and progress of business in any
connection or direction, and her whole history
affords proof OF this proposition, and the pres
ent existence of large business Investments
within her borders and the appropriations and
exemptions favorable to business made by the
town, are further proof. And in this matter
Cape Elizabeth would supplement all action
OF the city favorable to business development,
closely associated as the town and city are in
all matters of business and prosperity.
But there are certain rights OF the public In
this as in all other matters OF szs and import
aDce, which the town would ask to have duly
considered and protected; and when these are
given due place the town will be very ready
to give her consent and her aid in the enter
prise. But it seems fact susceptible of no
explanation as to the reason why it was for.
gotten that the town had an existence, or if an
existence why there might or not be some pub
lie or private interests worth consulting.
There is no lack of appreciation in the town
touching whatever of business may have been
developed in the town by Messrs. Clark & Co.,
nor of the fact that profit from business, while
it may be chiefly Of private nature, yet there
are certain public benefits resulting,-and SO
with this matter. Such seems to be the feel
ing of the people Of Cape Elizabeth, and it is
due them that they should not be misre-
presented by word written or spoken.
CAPE.