Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-17


rivers mouth and two miles below
where the waters Of the Androscoggin
unite with those Of the Kennebec at
Merrymeeting Bay. is one Of the most
interesting and picturesque cities in all
Maine. Originally a part Of George
town 1t was incorporated as a town IN
1881, it being named Bath for the chief
town Of Somersetshire, England. at
tractively located on the river Avon
and famous as a watering resort. Bath
was INCORPORATED as a city in 1S47 at
which time there was population OF
about 5000 Baths advance according
TO census returns has not of late been
rapid but at the present time there are
within it's limits about 10000 people
The city is rich in historical interest
and was the home of Names first Gov
ernor, Hon. William King. It is the
the court house is a substantial and
attractive building. 1t is a city of
homes and beautifully shaded high
ways are lined with comfortable man
sions The city is adorned with many
attractive and historic churches, while
an institution Of State wide promi-
nence is the Soldiers and Sailors Or
phans' Home.
Bath is favored in location, its splen-
did harbor affording unsurpassed ship
ping facilities, there being connection
by a numerous fleet Of steam craft with
nearby coast resorts, while the Eastern
steamship Company's steamers Bangor
and Rockland bring Bath daily into
touch with Boston and kennebec river
points. The Maine Central Railroad
provides Bath with excellent service
and the big and powerful steam ferry
boat conveys between Bath and the
Woolwich shore the heavy trains
bound to and from Rockland. In the
line Of trolley service Bath is part Of
the big system OF the Lewiston, Au-
gusta & Waterville Street Railway.
Industrial Advantages.
Bath has many and important indus
tries. From the days in 1907 when the
initial ship Virginia was launched at
Popham a fleet FAR in excess Of one
million tons has been constructed in
this vicinity. and while the number of
employees in Bath wooden shipyards
is much less than in the palmy days of
the industry in the vicinity Of one
thousand skilled workmen are en-
ployed in the steel shipbuilding plant
of the Bath Iron Works and the marine
auxiliary plant Of the Hyde Windlass
Company. and in the aggregate Baths
industrial activities are of large mag
nitude. A large box factory was built
and put in operation during the past
year.
Bath has many advantages along in
dustrial lines. The splendid harbor,
open to navigation the year round. ad-
mts of superior shipping facilities.
Raw materials can be brought here
either by water or rail and manufac-
tured products can be shipped away by
either route. This is a good market for
labor and strikes are of rare occur
renee. Bath would cordially welcome
new industries and the Board Of Trade
would willingly aid in all ways possible.
President N. GratZ Jackson, Secretary
Arthur X. burlington and all the Off
Gals and members of the Board Of
Trade stand ready to help along Baths
Industrial advancement.
Reliable and cheap electric power at
tidewater is an important factor in the
growth Of community industrially.
Among the plants operated electrically
are the Bath Iron Works, Hyde Wind
lass Company. Percy & Small. and Kel
ley, Spear Co.. and this power is sup
piled by the Bath and Brunswick Light
& Power Co. recently acquired by the
Central Maine Power Co. The electric
plant is located at Brunswick and is a
model one. over a year was required
in its construction and the equipment
Is Of the very best. In addition to the
hydro electric power station at Bruns-
wick there Is a 1900 horse power steam
plant at Bath and steam plant Of 500
horse power at Brunswick.
There are great possibilities in the
development Of tidal power. The
Winnegance tidewater has for nearly a
hundred years operated mills and at
one time there were ten sawmills on
the dam between Bath and Phippsburg.
Summer Resort Possibilities.
Bath is an important center Of sum-
mer resorts. From this city there is
an innumerable fleet of steamers by
which the tourist can gain easy access
to numerous resorts along the river
and coast. There are said to be with
in a radius Of Is miles of Bath twenty
seven resorts, presenting great va
riety Of attractions and a superb sum-
mer climate. In addition to the re-
sorts accessible by steamer or motor
boat, there are others easily reached by
rail OF automobile. In fact one could
pass an extended outing at Bath and
make an excursion each day to a diff
kerent resort. Bath offers an inviting
61eld for investment in this direction,
Bath Iron Works
II there is one industry more than
any other that has brought the State