The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-30
OUR WATER POWER.
STRANGE FREAK ON THE PART or
MANCHESTERS FORE IA TIERS.
The Railroad and Water Facilities OF This
Noble City Arc Great, and Induce
meats offered Manufacturers

Tradition tells us that less than hun
dred years ago the population OF Man
chester surpassed that OF huond; that
more shipping was done from the south
side than from the north side OF the
James There are reasons existing today
that may, within the twentieth century,
restore 10 Manchester her ancient pres
tlgo as the larger shipping port.
Manchcster's water frontage may be
eaid TO extend from Belle Issle to Drew
rvs Island, a distance OF four to five
miles. The upper half embraces her wa
ter-power area, the lower portion, her
deep-wstcr frontage. Her available wa
TER power has been estimated by one
OF the engineers In charge OF the James
river impro cement, 20 amount TO over ~
o. orsepower. which is equal 10 an
annual revenue OF 10000. This power Is
double that Of either OF the ~orl1-ia-
nous manufacturing towns OF Lowell or
Lawrence, Mass, or OF Manchester. y. ii.
From the Southern Railway Bridge TO
the Old Dominion Cotton Factory, there
il much space still left along the canal
for factory sites that doubtless could
be secured on easy terms with valuable
franchises. These sites. with railroad
connections at hand and dep-water facil-
tiles just below. should prove especially
inviting to the manufacturer seeking an
of the largest -four mills and cotton fac
tories In the country have. with pront,
availed themselves OF this magnificent
water-power and IL only remains TO make
its merits known TO the world. TO see
the whole available area along the canal
resonant with whirring wheel and spur
ring spindle.
Not far below the present mills may be
seen remnants OF the old wharves. from
al.t rtsssr
was dole. When and why these were
abandoned. we 90 not know. BY some
strange freak on the part OF our fore
fathers. the shipping was transferred 70
the northern side Of the river, where the
bluffs and hills. with the narrow strip
OF land at their base forever forbid the
locating OF many large buildings and
numerous railroad tracks and switches 50
necessary TO large shipping interests.
Whereas. back Of the south bank, lies
Lowell, low plateau OF almost indefinite ex-
tent. Here is ample room Cor elevators.
warehouses. factories, ard here may be
laid tracks enough to accommodate all
the rolling stock Of the State.
Uncle Sam has assured us that event
ually he will make the channel Of the
James twenty-five feet deep from the
rapids 10 the sea. Such depth Of water
will bring 10 our port ships much larger
lFBn any tudl HOW ftdcH lht htdu OF tiif-
alter and the railroads will find II TO
thei- advd ntage 10 transfer their freights
TO ships on the south side, where the
natural facilities are such as to render IL
cheaper than 10 send this same freight
- West Point or Newport News.
Here. too. could be built, as has been
suggested. a dry dock an all important
factor In a hourishing shipping centre.
This dock could be built above the level
Of the river: could be filed from the
canal: entered by a lock, and emptied by
gravity: thus saving the large expense Of
a steam-cmptying pump.
The tide OF manufacture is turning
southwark. M9nchester's exceptionally
fire water-power; her deep-water posi-
hilties: her immense low-ground plateau:
her railroad connections with the cotton
and timber belts, and iron and coal
fields. 1T her pre-eminently TO become
tho leading manufacturing city of the
Old Dominion, and TO take rank among
the Manchesters ~ Old and New Eng
land. +. NJ. BRONAUGH.