Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-08
LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS
WEDNESDAY EVENING
On New Draft of Bill Asking
$4,000 for Ferry Between
Bath and Woolwich, If Bath
and Woolwich Raise $50, 900
Conservation Of Water Stor-
age Reservoirs and Water
Powers of Maine Hearing
POSTPONED for New Draft

Another hearing was held Wednes-
day evening before the committee on
ways and bridges on the resolve ask
ing for an appropriation for a new
ferry boat to ply between Bath and
Woolwich.
Walter S. Glidden, Esq, of Bath APP
peared for the citizens of Bath and
presented a new draft of the resolve
which would eliminate the State from
any liability whatever The State is
asked to appropriate $4,000 provided
that the city of Bath and the town OF
Woolwich raise $4,000.
W. S. Newell of the Bath Iron Works
presented plans for the proposed steel
ferry boat. to be 100 feet long, % feet
beam or "a feet overall. 1t has several
novel features for giving every pos
sible inch of space to the use of au-
itomobiles. The new boat will carry
from % to 81 automobiles at one time,
varying according to size while the OLD
Hockomock would carry but 10 or Il
automobiles. The estimated cost is
$4,000 with $4,000 for new modern
slips or a total of $4,000. This Is Tor
a steel boat with special construction
for breaking ice like those on the
Delaware or Chesapeak. The new
steamer ought not to cost much more
to operate than the present boat. 1hefc
will be no deck houses of any size put
passenger accommodations VIII be pro-
vided below decks. This Will give much
greater deck space for automoblleS ana
passengers will have good accommo-
dations below. The proposed boat
ought to last from 80 to 40 years ana
will only require a crew of five men.
Eueene Thebeau, former director,
told Of the necessity for the new boat
as the old boat was off the route for
reDairs at critical times. The old boat
perhaps could be patched up probably
and be useful as a spare boat. The old
drops were in bad shape and not fit
for heavy cars or trucks. The deficien-
CIV in 1915 was about $500. The new
boat ought to be run at profit and
there would be an increase i'll the traf :
fic and the cost in repairs would be
small.
Replying to questions by members of
the committee, Mr.. Gldden thought that
the present appropriation would be the
last one needed from the State for SOME
time.
H. l.. Hopkins. q former director toi<i
OF the conditions financial and otherwise
during his connection with the ferry. He
believed the boat had to be renewed as
the intense heat inside the old wooden
boat and the cold water outside MADE
decay of wood a constant process.
! Dr. T. L. Stott Of Woolwich spoke OF
the Importance to the boat to his tow
and the big cost it had been to his town
i Hon. E. w. Wheeler of Brunswick Ell
dorsed the resolve and told of the I'M
portance of this ferry to the five seacoast
counties in or near which it is located
He believed there would be an enormou
: increase in traffic when the highway now
under construction is completed alcnG
this route.
= G. A. richards Of Damariscotta spoke
. of the Importance of having relia blt
I ferryboat on the route and the necessity
it was to the people east of kenne5ct
along the shore Ger the maintenance o.
, this service.
! BY the way. there is possibility that
! the new boat will be electrically oper
! ated