Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-02-01
INDUSTRIAL OPPORTUNITIES.
Interesting Publication Issued by
Maine Central Railroad.

Interesting Publication Issued by
Maine Central Railroad.
Maine IndustriaI Opportunities is the
title Of q four page bulletin recently is.
sued by the industrial department Of the
Maine Central railroad, made up in the
form OF q newspaper. 1t offers = mass of
information attractive to persons who are
Interested in the State, or who are desir-
GUS OF establishing enterprises or secur-
ing business locations. The principal
feature OF the bulletin is a long extract
from a report OF the United States geolog-
ical survey on the water powers Of Maine.
1t establishes the fact that thousands OF
horse power remain to be utilized as con-
ditions are at present, and many more
thousands under improved methods.
Besides this article on water powers
there are three department headings,
"Vscant Buildings" 'Business Open
ings" ana side Water Powers". These
departments are made up from reports Of
towns ell over the State, and indicate not
only where manufacturing enterprises can
be located, but where commercial oppor-
tunities exist.
Necessarily, the first publication Of .
work Of this character is somewhat limited
in its scope, but, as the purpose is better
understood BY the chairmen Of boards Of
trade, it is hoped that much more inform
alton may be secured for future numbers,
which will be issued as rapidly ss condi-
tions warrant.
The first number, which is dated Janu-
ary, 1911, can be secured free by address
ing the Industrial Department, Maine
Central railroad, Portland, Me.
Tue initial number contains the follow
ing article on Union river:
Union river, prisel almost wholly with
in Hancock county. drains an area about
twenty miles broad, extending about seventy
miles inland from the open sea. The total
area above Ellsworth Falls is about 500 square
miles. Below that place the coast line is
much broken by bays and inlets, SO that
much Of the rainfall flows directly into the
ocean. The basin is practically surrounded
by bald granite mountains, the interior basin
being strongly defined valley with rolling
surface. The scenery in these highland
regions, especially near the coast, is varied
and grand. The basin In its northern part Is
Mt Az elevation Of from 225 70 80 feet while the
lowest part OF the watershed ridge. between
Union and Penobscot rivers, is at altitude Oh
ISL feet. About four-tths Of the whole area is
underlain by mica schists. and large part
of 1t is still covered with forests.
The river is well supplied with natural
storage basins. there being in the basin
proper forty-thrse lakes. with total surface
area Of about sixty square miles. The height
OF the lake at the headwaters OF the river 10
about 2o5 feet above sea level, and the mean
fall Of the stream from this lake to the sea 10
four feet to the mile. The ponds which have
been improved for storage are used chiefly
for log-driving, and are therefore not OF
as much value to the water powers as they
should be.
The mean annual rainfall in the basin Is
about forty-eight inches, distributed as toi-
lows: Twelve inches in spring, ten inches In
summer, fourteen inches in autumn, and
Twelve inches in winter, q distribution favor
able to constant flow. The extreme range OF
water at Ellsworth is seven feet.
The Ellsworth falls are at the head OF tide
and navigation, and are the first water powers
on the stream. The fall is stated to be eighty
five feet in about two miles, and 100 feet In
two and one-quarter miles. A part OF 1t Is
utilized by mills of various kinds, but princi-
paIiy by sawmilis.
The upper dam on Union river ponds the
water tweiye or fifteen miles, creating a
reservoir large enough to permit the concen-
traJion OF power into working hours. NC
measurements Of the power available are al
hand, but according to estimates OF Prof
George F. Swain, the minimum power Ii
about twelve horsepower during tweive
hours, which would probably be practicable
This would amount to 2,4O0 horsepower gross
on the entire fall of 100 feet.
The site is accessible by rail, and facilities
for development are said to be good. Inc
power estimated could, of course, be largely
increased, probably more tnan doubled, wee
the reservoirs systematically improved
There are no important powers on the rlVei
above this point, though rapids occur al
int rivals.
The river is navigable as far as Ellsworth
though closed four months of the year by Ice
Above the falls ice prevails for somewha
longer period.