Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-21

4ieAt SlI1p CI WdIGE front owned Dy me city of New London at the foot of state street, located between the ferry sip and the now Ferguson wharf and occupied by G. M. Long & Go and utilized for fisfS market purposes, is not to be leased when the present lease of the Long company expires next month. This does not indicate that the premises are to be vacated, but is rather desire on the part of the city to have the property available in case 1t is wanted in connection with change or improvement of the ferry Slip, which is also owned by the city. The Long company pays an annual rental for the use of the property. the building thereon being owned by the tenants. It should be known right here and now that but for the G. NJ Long X Co that property would now be in the possession of the New Haven road that once upon a time owned the pres ent Ferguson wharf property. but made an exchange for property owned by the Fergusons that was years ago known as the Frink property.
 The railroad company bought up large water frontage for the accom- modation of the present New London Norwich line pier and included in that purchase was the property of the c. M Long & CO. but did not include all the buildings. The Long company q convinced that the city owned the strip of water front just south of the ferry although it was claimed by the railroad company. and the city was not irclin- ed to dispute the ownership. The Long company parted with it's property un- willingly, IS on the surface it indicated that the firm must go out of business as there was no other available loca- ton on the water front. So the Long company took possession of the prop erty they now occupy and expressed willingness to enter into a legal fight with the railroad company if neces- sary, as to ownership.
 The possession of the property was taken on a dark and stormy night. and the natives were surprised to find one morning the market building of the Long company, that formerly was on the property purchased by the railroad company, in a new location just south of the ferry slip Ii was for sure a dark and stormy night. the rain com ing in sheets, when Captain Thomas Hamilton, Q member of the firm, dress ed in oilers, like those he donned in bad weather when master of q sailing vessel, superintended the transfer oh that building from the old location te the present and established the city ownership of the valuable pFopery. Captain Hamilton engaged Captan Si- AispfI T doFI rlttt HIS SdISs l6SSIHeT with the contractors big scow. to as sist him and his men to improve the building The whole matter was kept d strict secret.
 About 10 o'clock that night, while the storm was at it's seVerest period and when the water front was practically deserted, the work of transfer was commenced. The building was moved onto the scow lowed to the new loca- tion, and by midnight the building was placed just where it stands today. Of ficials of the railroad company threat ened 8 variety of suits to regain the property, but Captain Tom Hamilton, like DaNy Crockett, was sure he was right before he went ahead. Then negotiations for the lease of the prop ertY from the city were made, and the result was a. lease for a term of years at an annual rental Of S1 000, No, the city of New London would never have possession of that property, but for the work of Captain Hamilton and his men, and for that reason the present tenants should not be disturbed unless change in conditions is absolutely necessary and in the line of true prog ress.
 The city officials are now engaged in the periodical attempt to reclaim city water front some of which seems to have gradually passed into private pos session. There is talk about Lane A for instance, which originally extended from Colt street to the shore of Shaw s cove. The lane is still there to point from Colt to Bank streets, but on the opposite of Bank street to the cove it seems to have been gobbled up by the adjoining owners. True there is an open space between the Orpheum the ater and the property below. but from that point to the water there is nothing to indicate that it is a continuation of Lane A.
 Then ahere is Spar Yard street. so- called. that is occupied in part by the Niagara Engine company house and has been for over sixty years. The rear of the house was formerly close to the shore of the cove and the wa ters washed against a stone wall that is now supplanted by a foundation of one of the buildings of the. Chappell company All the section in the rear. from Lane A to Sparyard street, in elusive has been filled in, and now in the rear of the engine house are two large brick buildings owned by indi - Niduals, who of course claim owner ship of the made land upon which they are located. but which was once a part of Shaw's cove
 Farther up Bank street. just below and next to the custom house, is an other piece of property owned by the city that naturally carries water front with it. This, too, has been encroaCh . ed upon, and were the city to attempt to use the water front the width of the property il would be found that the water privileges have been utilized by others.