F 104 .N7 B7 Copy 1 .^j'^:^:^ ..^i # •p.rs\\p.<^JohtlK Book _i. /<^tf^Lih ^ ;/f 77 u i NEW LONDON, A SEAPORT FOR THE NORTH AND WEST, AND OUTPORT OF NEW YORK: ITS GREAT — Commercial Advantages, CONVF.MPINl , AMPLE AND CHEAP WHARF ROOM, M ANUF AC I URING FACH.ITIES, ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF PURE WATER, HEALTHFULNESS, kC. JOHN R. BOLLES, SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OP TRADK. NEW LONDON: 1'<)\VEU PRESS OF GEOROE E. 8TARH. 1877. N \0k £-«. ^ m \- ! 6 I NEW LONDON. New London, the chief seaport of Connecticut, lies on the west side of the Thames River, three miles above its mouth. It is in Latitude 41"^ 21' N., Longitude 72*^ 12^ W. Popula- tion in 1870, over 10,000. From many points in and around the city views of surpass- ing beauty may be had of river, islands and sea, but it is especially as a Commercial port from which trade may radiate in all directions, that the attention of the public is now called to it. HOW IT DERIVED ITS NAME. In 1648 soon after its first settlement, the General Court perceiving it to be a "fit and convenient place for futvire trade, and in honor of the city they had left," gave the name of New London to the plantation, before called Pequot. We quote from the records of the State. "This Court considering that there hath been no place named in memory of the City of London, there being a new plantation in the jurisdiction of Connecticut, settled upon that fair river Mohegan, in the Pequot country, being an ex- cellent harbor and a fit and convenient place for future trade, it being also, the only place which the Englisli of these parts have possessed by conquest, and by a very just war upon that great and warlike people the Pequots, that therefore, they might thereby leave to posterity the memory of that renowned City of London from whence we had our transportation, have thought fit in honor to that famous City, to call the plantation New London." The name of the river was also changed to the Thames. 2 At the east end of Long Island Sound, and within a few miles of its entrance from the Ocean, New London is nearly equi-distant from New York and Boston, and by rail, about four hours from either city. With its noble harbor, numerous railroad connections and its magnificent granite wharf, just completed, the most commodious and convenient in the United States, it is believed to possess superior advantages for com- merce and trade on a large scale by land and water, and for manufactories of all kinds; while its charming scenery and genial climate invite to pleasant and healthful homes. THE HARBOR. In the Thames river, there may be found safe anchorage for vessels large or small, to a distance of ten miles above its mouth, though the harbor proper, is that portion of it which lies abreast the city. Its entrance from the sea is so easy, tliat with the aid of the U. S. Coast Survey Chart, the services of a pilot may be dispensed with even by vessels entering it for the first time. The Great Eastern could sail up several miles above the city. "Commodore Rodgers, who wintered here with his squadron in 1811, said it was the best ship harbor he had ever entered, except one, the exception was understood to be in Europe."* The New London Gazette of January iitb, 1826, gives the following account of the harbor : "Its harbor is universally allowed to be one of the best in the Union, and by many it is preferred to any in the United States. It is easy of entrance, has water sufficient for any ship, is free from strong tides and currents — has good anchor- age and is guarded by nature from the effect of any violent storm. It is said by many who have remained here during the winter with some of our frigates, that the expense of cables was nothing compared with almost any other port." The rise and fall of tide is but two and one-half feet. Generals Bernard and Totten in their report made to Con- gress, dated May 14th, 1826, said of it : — "As a port of easy access, having a great depth of water, never freezing and being easily defended, it is an excellent station for the Navy." *Mi88 Caulkins' History of New London. The difficulty and dangers attending the approach to New York, via Sandy Hook, in an easterly gale are well known, but these will be avoided when the work on the channel at Hell Gate is finished, and the Sound becomes a thorougfare for vessels which ply between Europe and that city. The harbor of New London, is very important to the vast Com- merce of Long Island Sound. More than fifty thousand ves- sels annually pass the Bartlett's Reef Light-ship, situated a few miles distant. There is no port on the Atlantic Coast, so desirable or convenient and none so much used as a harbor in threatening or stormy weather; then, vessels flock to it from all directions, till they are counted by hundreds. In the night season, their lights brightly burning, mirrored in every wave, they are seen as some enchanted city, illumined by fairy lamps. Again, the skies cleared, like sea birds they spread their white wings to the breeze and speed on their gladsome flight. Such scenes as these may have dawned upon the prophet's vision when he spake the blessing, — "Zebulon shall dwell at the haven of the sea, and he shall be for a haven of ships." The New York Yacht Fleet, many of them, make the waters of New London their winter retreat. CLIMATE. The climate of New London, modified by the water. Islands, or other causes, is not subject to the extremes of heat or cold which prevail in many places. This fact is verified by obser- vations taken seven times daily, at the United States Signal Station in this city. The mean temperature of each winter month for the last four years, is herewith given : 1873-4. 1874-5. 1875-6. 1876-7. Dec. 33.8, Dec. 33.8, Dec. 32.7, Dec. 49.7, Jan. 33, Jan. 24.3, Jan. 34.1, Jan. 26.9, Feb. 29.9, Feb. 23.7, Feb. 23.6, Feb. 34.4, or 33.1 for the entire period. The minimum temperature of the air was i*^ below zero, Farenheit, and this occurred on the 9th day of Feb. 1876, notably, one of the coldest winters on record. At no other time did the mercury fall to zero. The mean range of the extremes of temperature for these four winters was but 15'^, showing a very equable state of the atmospliere. The mean temperature of the summer months of the years 1874-75-76, was respectively, 68.2, 68.2 and 70.7, the last, an unusually hot summer. The highest point to which the mercury rose during the summer months, was in 1874 to 87* in 1875 to 88^^, in 1876 to 93"=' . The mean tem- perature of the years 1874-75-76, was respectively 48.4, 47.3, 49.7, averaging about 48.5. The Isothermal line corresponds with that of Leavenworth, Indianapolis, and Pittsburg, in more southern latitudes. HEALTHFULNESS. New London has ever been deemed a remarkably healthly place. Numerous instances of longevity are found here. A lady recently celebrated her hundredth birthday in the pres- ence of her children, several of whom were more than seventy, and two more than eighty years of age, and cases are not rare of persons approaching the age of one hundred years. A matron lively and in good health, whose age is not positively known, is now living here with her descendents of the fifth generation. New London is noted for the purity of its atmosphere, the absence of all foul oders; its situation being elevated and the natural drainage complete. It is not only non-malarial, no case of intermittent fever having ever been known to originate in this town — not even during the past few years, when they have prevailed in parts of the state here- tofore exempt from them, — but it is anti-malarial ; persons suffering from Miasmatic afifectionscontracted in other places, resort here for the beneficial influence of the climate, and rapidly recover; often without the aid of medicine. It is notably free from Zymotic fevers, as Typhoid, and others of like nature, and the diseases of infancy and childhood incident to the summer season, while the general salubrity of the air is such as to sustain vitality and repel disease. Much more might be truthfully told in regard to the health- fulness of New London. The celebrated traveller, the Baron Von Humboldt, is quoted as saying, that "the portion of coun- try lying between Narragansett Bay and Connecticut River, was the healthiest in the world," and it is certain that the 5 sturdiest and most vvarelike tribe of Indians, (the Pequots) dominated in this region. In 1862, a "Board of Officers" acting under the authority of Congress, to select a site for a National Navy Yard, and who reported in favor of the Thames River, said in their report, "there is probably not a healthier place in the United States than New London, or one where more comfort is to be found." It will be remembered that Admiral Silas H. Stringham, Professor A. D. Bache, and Captain W. P. S. Sanger, Chief Engineer of the Navy Department, and other officers of note, constituted that board; and now by reason of an abundant supply of the purest fresh water recently brought to the city, from a lake fed by living springs, the conditions of health are even more fully met. RAILROADS. Apart from the Shore Line, leading to New Haven and New York, and the Stonington and Providence, leading to Provi- dence and Boston and eastward ; by means of the New Lon- don Northern and Central Vermont Roads, with their various connections, (see Chart) New London is in direct and easy communication with a large portion of New England, the Canadas, and the North Western and Western States, and freight from New York, brought here by propellers and steam- boats in large quantities, passes over these lines to the points named. Goods are also shipped by this route to St. Louis, and even to San Francisco, and perhaps the not distant future, will justify the remark sometimes made, that the proper ter- mini of the Great American Trans-continental Railroad are New London, on the Atlantic and San Francisco, on the Pacific, the two grand harbors of the United States, in the spa- cious waters of which, can be found accommodation for th6 commercial marine of Europe on the one hand, and of Asia on the other. Sealed cars daily leave New London by the Northern Road, en route through Canada to Port Huron, with merchandise to be distributed in the States, from that point. Also from Canada, sealed cars pass over this bonded line to New London. By the Boston and Albany Road, which connects with the 6 Northern, at Palmer, Mass, Albany is brofight 20 miles nearer to New London than to Boston, and when the projected road from Stafford to Springfield is built, the distance will be short- ened 8 miles. By the route through the Hoosac Tunnel, New London is nearer to Troy than Boston is, and freight, it is said,* "can actually be brought all the way from the west, to New York city, via. New London, cheaper than by the New York Central, and of course much cheaper to New London than New York." With the great wharf now ready for use, which links its Rail- roads traversing to the Lakes and beyond, to its harbor and superior shipping facilities, the prophecies of the past, as to the commercial status of New London, seem about to be fulfilled, and the manifest intent of nature realized. OCEAN STEAMERS. The proprietors of the Inman Line of Ocean Steamers vis- ited New London a few years since, with the view of making it a terminus for their boats, especially in the winter season. But the wharf accommodations were not then suitable, and the project fell through for the time. By the building of the new wharf this difficulty is now obviated. On the whole length of this dock tracks are laid, by which grain or other merchandise may be brought to storehouses built on the wharf, or direct to vessels receiving freight. The same advan- tage would be had in case of goods brought here by water for distribution over the various lines of roads diverging from this point. There would be no expense for cartage in either case. This advantage would be still more conspicious in the case of bonded warehouses which could be constructed on the wharf for the storage of imported goods, the expense of cart- ing which from landing to warehouse, and from warehouse to the place of shipment, is often greater than the cost of transportation for hundreds of miles by rail or water. Mer- chandise stored here, might be sold by sample from the im- porters counting house in New York, and sent to any point of destination required. This could be done with a saving in many respects ; and what better point can be found for the ♦Commercial Note in New York Tribune, Feb. 24th, 1877.. embarkation of passengers coming from all points of the country than New London ? Much might be said in favor of a line of Steamships running from Europe direct to this port, whether conveying passengers or freight. Port regulations are simple and expeditious. Freight would find ready means of transportation by rail or steam vessel, to all parts ; and the cost of sending it to New York, if consigned to that port, would be small, compared with the many advantages which New London offers to a line of Ocean Steamers running to that place. After leaving her passengers and freight at New London, if under charter to load at New York, the passage would be safe and easy upon an inland sea, over which passengers in greater number, and more freight, are carried, than over any like ex- panse of water, the British Channel excepted, in the whole world. Most ()( the ocean traffic between Europe and New York will soon, coming and going, pass the Mouth of New London Harbor. As New York grows, and its business expands, the value to that city of a convenient port such as New London will be clearly seen, and the North-West should be notified that their connection with Europe and the maratime world, best lies through the port of New London. For the shipment of grain abroad, New London scarcely has its peer. Its convenient relation to the grain growing territory of the west, small port charges of every kind, ease of delivery, less cost of Insurance, &c., distinctly point it out as "a fit and convenient place for future trade" in this respect, the sea port of the North and West, as well as out port of New York, where much of the business of that city may be trans- acted with convenience and profit, and because of the different lines of road leading to it, prices will be kept down by com- petition, and any great railroad monopoly prevented. An article in the JVeic York Maritime Register, May 30th, 1877, sets some of these matters in so clear a light, it is here given to the reader. "new LONDON, AN OUTPORT OF NEW YORK." *' New London is now talked of as an important out port, 8 which should be made tributary to the business and commerce of this city. The harbor is the best on the Atlantic coast, easy of access, never freezing, with water to float the largest ship in the world. It has a clear, straight entrance from the ocean, so that the services of a pilot are often dispensed witli, even by vessels from foreign ports, the coast survey chart being a sufficient guide. Good Harbors — Newport, Gardiner's Bay and others skirt its approaches, making its entrance doubly safe. New Lon- don is loo miles nearer to Liverpool than New York will be, when the channel of Hell Gate is opened to large vessels, and about 150 miles nearer than via Sandy Hook. Its superior commercial advantages are coming to be better understood. While only about four hours distant from New York and Boston by rail, the New London Northern and Central Ver- mont roads with their tributaries connect it with a large por- tion of New England, Canada, and the North Western States as the most favorable point for the delivery of their products at tide water, and also for the return. of merchandise to them. New London is nearer to Albany and the West than Boston, with the advantage also of a less expensive Road, and better grade, and freight is daily passing in large quantities from New York via New London to its Western destination, adding anotlier to the many avenues of trade with this city. For the shipment of Grain to foreign markets it is believed that there is no port north of Baltimore that can equal New London, with its present Railroad and terminal facilities. Its new and magnificent wharf, covering five or six acres of ground, with more than half a mile of water front, capable of receiving the largest steamers, is now offered to the commerce of the world. The Reading Railroad Co., have commenced running their large steamers to it, freighted with coal for the interior, which is transferred directly to the cars, or stored for future distrib- ution. The same could be done with cotton or other mer- chandise; and goods from foreign ports might be landed here, placed in bonded warehouses, or stf)rehouses, directly from the vessel, and transferred to cars for transportation by land, or to propellers, by water, avoiding the expense of cartage altogether. The benefits of New London harbor 9 as an auxiliary port, a late writer in the New York Tribime^ recounts thus: — 'Cheap and ample wharf room, with deep water at the terminus of the New London Northern Railroad; little or no expense for pilotage, towage, etc. ; port charges comparatively small ; shorter distance to Europe; less cost of insurance on vessels and their cargoes; goods brought from the interior transferable from the cars to vessels direct or placed in storehouses on the wharf for shipment; the port the best point tor distribution of a large part of the coal, cotton, and other merchandise used in New England. Merchants in New York sell their goods by sample. These could be deliv- ered from a bonded warehouse at New London as well as from New York, with no expense of cartage, and, so far as New England and the North-Western States are concerned, with a saving of freight. The business would still be done in New York, and the profits of it belong to that city.' And he might have added to the list — the avoidance of Custom House delays, annoyance, &c. New York by availing itself of the advant- ages offered to it, will make them its own." New York, May 1877. The N. Y. G7-aphic of Aug. 15th, 1877, speaks thus of New London as a terminus for Ocean Steamers: "It has one of the finest harbors in the world, and in this respect, is pre- eminently ahead of any port on the Atlantic. Allowing that the customs and other government charges are the same, the cost of wharfage and storage will be more than one-half reduced, and vessels can be refitted and unloaded at one-third less cost." The Norwich and Worcester Railroad which brings freight and passengers from Portland and Bangor direct, by way of Nashua, and also from Boston and Worcester and intermedi- ate towns, and from farther north and east, to be transported to New York, virtually has its terminus at New London. It there connects with a line of large steamboats owned by the Norwich and New York Transportation Company, daily plying between New York and this city. The Northern Road also connects at Willimantic with the Hartford, Providence and Fishkill road, the New York and New England, formerly the Boston and Erie, and with the 10 New York and Boston Air Line, and at Barrett's Junction, four miles north of Palmer, with the Springfield, Athol and North Eastern Railroad. At Miller's Falls connection is made with the Tunnel line, at South Vernon with the Ashue- lot for Keene and the Cheshire road, and at Brattleboro with the Vermont Valley road, which at Bellows Falls connects with the Central Vermont and the system of roads that to- gether with the New London Northern, are leased by the Central Vermont road. New London is thus in direct communication with all parts of Vermont, New Hampshire, Canada, and the West, with connection also on the Lakes by Boats owned by the Central Vermont Railroad. Lumber is now brought from Michigan, the great lumber growing region, to this port, in large quan- tities. At New London there is a running arrangement with the New York Steamboats for both passengers and freight. The Northern road also owns a line of Propellers for the transportation of freight alone. From Ogdensburg, distant ii8 miles from the Central Ver- mont road, freight can be carried all the way by water to any point on the Lakes. Thus, Michigan and Minnesota are sep- arated from us by only a narrow strip of land. The Lakes to the Sea, the Sea to the Lakes send greeting. Commerce, ag- riculture, and every industrial art clasp hands in token of mutual relationship and dependence. If ease of communica- tion with a great and productive country ; if adequate termi- nal facilities, and a harbor opening them to the world, are among the chief requisites; if beauty of situation, a genial climate, convenient and central position, are to be desired, New London having all these and more, pure air and abund- ant supply of pure water, may justly aspire to be what nature seems to have designed it, a foremost commercial city. ITS COMMERCE, PAST AND PRESENT, New London being so favorably situated on the water, the attention of its people has been chiefly devoted to maratime pursuits. It was noted at an early day for building large ships. Douglass in his history of the British settlements, written before 1750, says, " In Connecticut are eight conven- 11 ient shipping ports, tor small craft, but all masters enter and clear at the port of New London, a good harbor, three miles within land, and deep water. Here they build large ships." The object of this pamphlet is not so much to give a history of New London as to call attention to its present and future capabilities. A brief glance at the past however may not be inappropriate here. Prior to the Revolution, "flour, lumber and provender, were exported to Gibralter, the Spanish ports on the Mediteranean and to Barbary." From the marine list published in the New London Gazette^ the following state- ment is taken of the shipping employed in the European and West India trade sailing from this port and chiefly owned in this district, from Jan. ist, 1785 to Jan. ist, 1790, viz; 62 brigs, 36 schooners, and several sloops. The number of horses and cattle exported during these years was 27,809, or a yearly shipment of 6,952. About this time and afterwards several whaling vessels were fitted out for short voyages, and the business increased until '"the embargo, non-intercourse, and the war following closely upon each other, entirely broke up this as well as every other species of commerce," Soon after the war with England the West India business was revived and carried on for several years ; the whaling business, also, was commenced anew in 1819, by Thomas W. Williams, and others, and was conducted with so much vigor and success that New London became, with the exception ot New Bed- ford, the largest whaling port in the United States. In 1846 71 ships and barks, one brig and six schooners were engaged in this trade with a capital of about $2,000,000. Tonnage, 26,200. Seventy thousand four hundred and twenty-two bar- rels of whale and sperm oil were brought into this port in 185 1, valued at $1,109,410. "In 1847 the number of vessels employed from New London in freighting, coasting and home fisheries, was 171, viz: nine ships and barks and three brigs, fifty-six schooners, one hundred and three sloops and smacks; whole burden 1 2,300 tons."* The number of seamen employed in the whale fishery and domestic trade was about 3,000. Since that time with some fluctuations the whaling business *From statistics furnished tlie harbor and river Convention at Chicago, in Dec, 1847, by Tho8. W. Williams. 12 has been on the decline, though with a slight revival at the present time. The scarcety of whales in the sea, and the plen- tiful supply of oil from the earth have conspired to lessen this branch of business, but during this time the seal fishery has been prosecuted with success. Capt. Eb^n. Morgan, a distinguished whaling captain from New London, was the first to raise the American flag on the Alaska Seal Islands af- ter their session by Russia to the United States, and parties in this city hold a large interest in the Alaska Commercial Com- pany which has a lease of these Islands. The West India trade so extensively carried on at a former time from this place, has been revived within a few years by J. M. Huntington & Co., who have a Bonded Warehouse on their, wharf here. Their goods are sold in New York and Boston, and are sent over the various lines of roads through- out New England. The duty paid by this firm to the govern- ment, on this class of importations, is about $90,000 yearly The number of vessels now employed in the foreign trade, coasting, &c., is 73, and in the whale, seal, and home fishery, 119. This port has been the head-quarters of the business of the Phoenix Guano Co., the charters for which are 7,000 tons per annum. Cargoes of this guano have been sold in our south- ern cities, and large quantities have been sent to North German ports. While New London is surpassed only by Boston and Glou- cester in the number of fishermen employed, or the amount of fish caught in its waters, it is superior to them, in point of variety. Blue-fish are taken in large quantities here, and black fish, sometimes weighing over twenty pounds each, striped bass, salmon, Spanish mackerel, sea trout, sword fish, &c. Connecticut river shad are proverbially the best in the United States. These and many other varieties are shipped by water and rail from our markets to almost every part ot the country, even to New Orleans, Wisconsin, Michigan, Canada, &c. MANUFACTORIES, New London has not hitherto been distinguished for the number and extent of its manufacturing establishments. The 13 attention of its citizens has been turned in other directions, and they have invested liberally in government and other bonds. Enough has not been done to foster local enterprises, the sure foundation of the growth of any place. With nat- ural advantages nc^t excelled, the wonder is that New London has not become more of a manufacturing town. " It is the duty of a city to prosper," said the late Dr. Bushnell, whose memorial is written less vividly in the grand Park at Hart- ford, bearing his name, than in the hearts of thousands who have drawn life and inspiration from his vigorous pen. If it is the duty of a city to prosper, it is a duty to seek out sources of thrift and to encourage industry. "Employment for every person" should be the motto of every place. There are however several establishments in New London where goods in great variety are made and of a first-class character. Foremost among these is the Wilson Manufactur- ing Company, founded by Increase Wilson, which has main- tained a high reputation for fifty years. The celebrated Wilson Coffee Mill, and an immense assortment of other articles in the general hardware line are made by them. Jack Screws, Turning Lathes, Solid Box Vises, brass, iron and composition works, &c. This company are the leading manufacturers of anti-friction roller bushings. Their trade in these and other articles extends all the way from Canada to California. They also manufacture the " People's Mower," used in the Eastern States and recently in Missouri. The largest tackle blocks ever constructed in the United States, if not in the world, were made at this establishment for the Cape Ann Granite Company, to lift a block of granite weighing one hundred and ten tons. The Albertson & Douglass Machine Company which com- menced business in 1840, was organized as a joint stock cor- poration in 1853. They manufacture on a large scale Marine, Stationary and Portable Steam Engines and Boilers, also. Mill and Plantation Machinery, Circular Saw Mills and Gear- ing, Cotton and Hay Presses, for hand, horse and steam pow- er. Elevators and Hoisting Machines, for hotels, stores, mines, quarries, &c. They have also extensive facilities for the ma- king of Cotton Gins and Cotton Gin Materials. The manu- 14 facture of Composition Roller Bushings of superior quality is made a specialty. Their goods are sold in all parts of the United States and are also shipped to foreign ports. The company have one of the most extensive and best equipped machine, foundry and boiler establishments in the United States, and make the building of steam machinery, and the repairing of steam vessels a specialty. The Brown Cotton Gin Company, located in New London, devote their attention to the manufacture of The Brown Cot- ton Gin, Gin Feeders and Condensers, and are also largely engaged in the manufacture of materials used in the construc- tion of cotton gins generally. The gins and the attachments turned out by this company are of the best quality, and have taken the highest premium not only at the Centennial but at various state and county fairs, and are now sold and used ex- tensively in every cotton growing state, and many of them are exported to Brazil and elsewhere. This is one of the old- est cotton gin establishments in the country. The New London Steam Woolen Mill manufactures Repel- lents, Ladies Cloth, and Cassimeres. It has five sets of cards, eight jacks, two hundred and forty spindles each, thirty broad looms, and employs seventy-five to one hundred hands, work- ing twelve hundred pounds of California wool, daily. C. D. Boss & Son's Cracker and Biscuit Works, is one of the oldest and largest factories of the kind in the country. For over one hundred years it has continued in successful operation, with but few changes in ownership. C. D. Boss is the veteran cracker manufacturer in New England, and has had an unbroken business success of forty-six years. The capacity of the works is seventy-five barrels of flour in ten hours in the leading staple crackers which they make a speci- alty. At an early day their goods took high rank for quality, which reputation has ever been fully sustained. Their goods are widely known and appreciated. The value of the products of the business for 1876, amounted to nearly two hundred thousand dollars. They give employment to thirty hands. H. A. Brown & Co., manufacture Canned Goods of every description. Preserves, Jellies, Catsups, &c. They employ some two hundred hands, and have about two hundred acres 15 of ground under cultivation, in tomatoes, &c. Their goods stand as high as any in the market, and are sold throughout the United States, and exported to Russia, England, France and Germany. Wm. L. Warner & Son have a large Tannery, where they make various kinds of leather, also belting and such articles as are wanted for factory purposes. There are also Sewing Silk, Shirt, Carriage, Nail, and other factories. The proper claims of New London for manufacturing pur- poses, briefly stated, are, a healthy and pleasant location, with a supply of pure fresh water to an unlimited extent, from an elevation that affords sufficient power for light machinery. This power is already successfully employed, — convenient distance from New York, and ready means of communication with that city and other parts. Machinery is now run princi- pally by steam, the saving of freight in the article of coal alone would amount to a large sum in the course of a year, giving to New London a great advantage in this respect over an inland town. The same would be true of the transporta- tion of the raw material and manufactured goods, and there are a plenty of situations along the river side and near the railroad, where coal and other material would be taken di- rectly to the establishment from the vessel, and shipped with like ease, on vessels or cars. Land and rents may be had at moderate prices. These and other facilities which New London has, are important, and will be so regarded by the shrewd mechanic about to start an establishment for himself, and by those seeking a change of location. NAVY YARD. The government has established a Navy Yard on the east side of the Thames River, about three miles above the city, with a shore front of one mile, and ample depth of water to float the largest vessel ever built, a most important consider- ation when the future of our navy is taken into account. We build not for a day or a year, but for coming time; and it should be known that neither Philadelphia, which has but i8 16 feet in some parts of the Delaware, as shown by the U. S. coast survey chart, or New York which has but 22 feet on the bar at mean low tide, or Gosport, or Charlestown, has depth of water for a first-class British, French or Spanish man of war.* New London has more than enough to float the largest of them at low tide. It is a port also, which may be easily reached by a fleet escaping from a superior force of the enemy, or if disabled, for repairs. From an early period of our country's history it has been commended by eminent naval officers as the most desirable harbor in the United States for a great national Navy Yard and naval depot. f Commodore Decatur who with his fleet passed the winter of 1812-13, in the Thames River, three miles above the present yard, said in a letter to Capt. George W. Rodgers, (afterwards Commodore,) "I wish there might be a Navy Yard at New London, for I know of no harbor in the United States possessing so many advantages." The like fa- vorable opinion has also been expressed by naval officers of other nations who have visited this place, as the following from the Norwich Bulletin, Oct. 3rd, 1866, will show. "New London Harbor. — His Imperial Majesty's flag ship La Themis, drawing twenty-four feet of water, together with other vessels of the French fleet, have just left New London harbor, where they have been lying for several weeks. It is reported that they will make their headquarters there next summer. The oflScers of the fleet, we understand, have re- peatedly expressed the opinion that for the resort of the ves- sels of their squadron, New London aff"ords the best harbor on our coast. Admiral Baron Didolot, Admiral of the French fleet in the American waters, who was in command of the fleet at New London, is known to have said, ' If this port were in France it would be made the principal naval station of that government.' " *" If we are going to compete with Prance and England for a sea-going iron-clad fleet, we must have vessels to draw from twenty-four to twenty-six feet of water at least. The na- val ports of France and England are not limited in draft of water, and their docks are now being altered and new ones constructed to receive these iron-clad vessels which draw from twenty-flve to twenty-seven feet."— Donald M'Kat, in 1863. tSee Report of House Naval Committee, 38th Congress, 1st Session, May l&th, 18&4, No. 17 The board of officers appointed under an act of Congress in 1862, Admiral Silas H. Stringham, chairman, to examine various sites, and report thereon, made choice of New Lon- don as " possessing greater advantages for a Navy Yard and naval depot than any other site examined by them," and sub- sequently in 1864, the House Committee on Naval Affairs to whom the question was again referred, Hon. Alexander H. Rice, chairman, after a careful investigation of the whole sub- ject and a visit to the site, fully concurred with the report of the board of officers in favor of New London Harbor, and recommended " the establishment of a Navy Yard thereat." As showing the importance of this location in connection with the defence of the waters and commerce of Long Island Sound, and of the city of New York itself from naval attack on the east, an extract from said committee's report is here given : After speaking of the Race or eastern entrance of Long Is- land Sound, the committee say, "New London, lying within a half hour's steaming, is the natural key and strategic pro- tection to this gate-way, and it is the judgment of the high- est military and naval authorities, that a rendezvous of iron- clads, to put to sea at short notice, together with some slight fortifications at the Race itself, would be a complete defence to the eastern approach to New York, and the whole coast line of Connecticut. An enemy's fleet once within this gate-way and safe in Long Island sound — a great man-of-war's harbor of itself — would not only have the best natural roadstead on this continent from which to sally forth to cut up our com- merce and lay our cities under contribution, but would im- peril the commercial metropolis of the country. Through Long Island Sound is carried, by various means of transportation, the raw material to the New England spin- dles, much of which is returned in the manufactured articles to New York for domestic and foreign markets. So large has this commerce become, that more than fifty thousand vessels have passed New London light-boat, off the mouth of the harbor, in a single year, calling forth the memorable remark of Daniel Webster, 'that the importance of this Mediterranean of the western hemisphere would justify its being lighted up like a ball-room.' 18 These have seemed very important considerations to your committee; and if, by the selection of a site which unites so many essential advantages of its own, commercial interests so vast and so extended also derive incidental protection, the establishment of the proposed yard at this point would appear to raise the question to one of national importance and neces- sity." At the invitation of Congress by resolution passed, March 2oth, 1867, the State of Connecticut conveyed by deed of gift, the site to the United States for naval purposes, which was duly accepted, and appropriations made for its improvement. A wharf has been built, having 1,600 feet of water front. At this wharf some of the largest vessels in our navy have lain and are now ^yi^^g- Several acres have been graded, store- houses and other buildings erected, and it is already a station of use and convenience to the navy.* The site contains about 100 acres, mostly a level plain, at convenient elevation above tide water. On a portion of it, are stratified ledges of good granite, easily worked, for sea-walls, or other purposes. The Board of Civil Engineers, who in 1875, prepared a plan of the yard, which has been adopted by the government in their report, recognize this as a great advantage. The water at the station is a mixture of salt and fresh, in about equal proportions, that quality which science and exper- iment have shown to be best adapted to the docking and pre- servation of timber ;f and being clear, little or no dredging will be needed. *"I have heretofore spoken of the claims of the New London station upon the liberality of Congress. Some of these are to be found in a good harbor, easy of access from all direc- tions, and conveniently situated between two great commercial cities; an industrious and ingenious people whose labor is skillful and cheap, and a site for the station already acquir- ed through the liberality of the State, to the improvement of which, the Government seems to be virtually pledged. It is already a station of convenience to the service, and with moderate expenditure, its use could be largely increased."— ^epori of Secretai-y of tlie Navy, 1872. t "In reply to your inquiry as to the quality of water best adapted for docking and sea- soning ship-timber, &c., I will state what is the practice of the French Government, whose dock yards and arsenals I have lately visited, and who are in advance of every other nation in the application of scientific knowledge to naval matters. The stock of timber kept on hand in the French arsenals is very large and of the finest quality. At Toulon, alone, about £5,000 tons of the choicest oak timber is kept in salt water, mixed with fresh, about half and half. The water is brought into the enclosed docks from reservoirs in the adjacent mountains." * * Dwiald McKay^s letter to John R. BoUes, dated, Boston, Dec. \Uh, 1863. 19 The yard is located six or seven miles above the mouth of the harbor, secure from the attack of an enemy. It is the concurrent testimony of military men "that no harbor in the United States is more susceptible of defence than that of New London." * The site selected by the government on the Thames, in the opinion of the best judges, has every requisite for a first-class naval establishment. In view of the capacity and excellence of the harbor, its freedom from ice, the great depth of its waters, the facility of access to it from every point, by land and sea, with good foundations to build upon; a climate, comparatively cool in summer and warm in winter, situated in the midst of a popu- lation of hardy seamenf and industrious mechanics, skilled in all branches of naval architecture^ impregnable to a foe — if this may be said of any place, — with high and healthful localities for dwellings, convenient distance from New York, where supplies of all kinds may be quickly obtained, and also, as guarding with ever wakeful eye the waters of Long Island Sound, its commerce, cities and coasts, and the great cities of New York and Brooklyn from naval attack ; these and other natural and incidental advantages give to it a value and importance for a Navy Yard and Naval Depot, second to none in the world. Commodore D. M, Fairfax, an officer of high standing, is Commandant of the yard. fisher's island. Facing the harbor of New London, on the south-east, as if placed there to receive the first rude shock of the ocean, and ward oflF the fury of its waves, stretches Fisher's Island, *Eeport of Committee on Naval AflE«irs. tCapt. Moses Rogers, commander, and his brother-in-law, Capt. Stevens Rogers, sailing- master of the steamship Savannah, both natives of New London, were the first to navigate a steam vessel across the Atlantic. JAt New London and within a radius of six miles of it, there have been built in the last thirty years, vessels of various sizes and descriptions, many more in number and tonnage, than on all the coast from Boston to New York during that time. Three schooners and four steamers have been built at New London the past year, but it is at Mystic, in the ad- joining town of Groton that the great ship yards are located. Vessels built there have made the quickest passage from New York to San Francisco, 20 nine miles in extent, gallantly saying to the sea, " hitherto shalt thou come, and no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed." The Island which was the property of John Winthrop, the first Governor of the State of Connecticut, and remained in the Winthrop family two centuries, has lately passed into other hands, and it is now the intention of the owner to make it a grand public watering place or seaside re- sort. Many improvements have already been made in this direction. The grounds are being surveyed and prepared for that purpose. Roads are laid out, and several new cottages in process of erection. The old Mansion House, which has been enlarged and fitted up for summer visitors, is well patronised at the present time. There is a fine shore and surf for bathing, not far distant, and on the island are several pure, fresh lakes or ponds, in which fresh-water fish, in great variety, abound. Miss Caulkins, in her history of New London, gives the fol- lowing account of the island : " This island had been a noted fishing ground of the Pe- quots; it was also a fine park for the huntsman, the woods that densely shaded the interior, being well stocked with deer, and other wild animals. In the days of Indian prosperity, it must have been a place of great resort, especially in the summer season. Canoes might be seen gliding over the waves, children sporting on the shore, women weaving mats on the grass, and hunters with bow and arrow plunging into the thickets. After the destruction of the Pequots, this fair island lay deserted, unclaimed, waiting for a possessor. Win- throp seized the favorable moment, and became the fortunate owner of one of the richest srems of the Sound." Girt with the rolling billows of the Altantic, on one hand, Where the sea-gulls swoop and soar, And the white surf beats the shore ; Where wild waves their fury fling. And the petrel dips his wing, Sportive, lithe, with arrowy feather, Jolliest bird in stormiest weather, and by thp quiet waters of Fisher's Island Sound, on the other, — in the words of our own poet Brainard, " That gentlest Sound Sequestered, tliat the sea has found In its adventurous roam, A halcyon surface — pure and deep, And placid as an infant's sleep, Cradled and rocked at home," 21 the surface of the Island is somewhat diversified with hill and plain; winding drives will preserve the contour of nature, and add to the picturesqeness of the scene. Some have facetiously said, that St. Patrick must have once resided here, as no snakes have ever been found on this Island. The air is pure, cooler in summer and warmer in winter, than on the main land, and instances of disease, requiring the services of a physician among its inhabitants, or even a com- mon cold, are almost unknown. This Island adds another attraction to New London, for excursionists, citizens or stran- gers, which seek to enjoy the exhilerating influence of the salt sea air. Steamboats are constantly running between the Island, Pequot House and New London, distance 7 or 8 miles. HOTELS. The Crocker House is a large first-class hotel, very popular, with all the modern appointments- It has not its superior in New England, and families residing in the city as well as transient guests find there the comforts of a pleasant home. The Metropolitan on Bank street is a five story brick build- ing with capacious rooms. A large addition is soon to be made to it. There are several other hotels and boarding- houses in the city, and some private families in which first- class board can be obtained, atfording accommodations for the throngs which resort to New London in the summer sea- son. Too much cannot be said in praise of the Pequot House, situated near the mouth of the Thames, with its numerous cottages for visitors, — of the private residences and tastefully ordered grounds which surround it, — of the clear open view of the river, of Fisher's Island and Long Island sounds, and of the sea, — of the facilities for boating, bathing, fishing, &c., — of its level drives along the shore and all its accompanying attractions, which have made this so famous and so favorite a spot to seekers of health and pleasure, to the transient guest, and to the many representatives of wealth, place and fashion, who from year to year, make this celebrated watering place their chief summer resort. The Edgcomb House, on the opposite side of the river, 22 though somewhat less pretentious, has a well deserved pop- ularity, and with the Ocean House, which is under the same management, affords accommodation for two hundred and fifty guests. The rooms are large, well ventilated and lighted with gas, and visitors find in the homelike aspects of the place an unfading charm. It is noted for its coolness. A short distance south of it, at Harbor View, some twenty cot- tages have been built in the past two years, where families from Norwich and elsewhere resort during the summer months to enjoy the sight and inhale the fresh breezes of the sea. Small steamboats are constantly plying between the hotels and the city, and passengers on the river enjoy the shifting panorama of its fine scenery. If the lover of art, and the beautiful in nature, on a clear, bright summer morning, cros- sing the mouth of the harbor, will lie upon his oars awhile and glance up the Thames as far as the eye can reach, he will behold a scene, which travellers tell us, is not surpassed by the beautiful bay of Rio de Janeiro, that of Yeddo, or the far famed classic bay of Naples. LAKE KONOMOC. In nothing, perhaps, is New London more fortunate than in the abundant supply of pure water from Lake Konomoc, at an elevation of 185 feet above the level of the sea. This lake is fed by springs. Trout are hatched in this water, a sure test of its purity. It ii> situated about six miles north-west of the city, and covers 200 acres of ground. Printing presses and other machinery in New London are now run by power derived from this source. It forms no incrustation upon the iron of steam boilers. Water from this lake is carried to and over every part of the city, for the use of dwellings, man- ufactures, steamboats and other vessels, and for the extin- guishment of fires. Streets, gardens, lawns, are watered by it, and sportive fountains to the sun fling showers of diamonds for his gifts of gold. GROTON MONUMENT. On Groton Heights, opposite the City of New London, 23 stands the monument raised in honor of the brave men who fell at Fort Griswold, on the memorable 6th of September, 1 781. "Who commands this Fort?" safd the British officer on entering it. "I did but you do now," replied Col. Ledyard, raising and lowering his sword in token of submission, and advancing to present it to him. The ferocious officer, receiv- ed the sword and plunged it up to the hilt in its owners bosom, while his attendents rushing upon the falling hero dispatched him with their bayonets. This was a signal for the general slaughter which ensued. The town of New London was burned at the same time. Now the village of Groton, containing a thousand inhabi- tants, looks smilingly down from these historic hills, once stained with patriotic blood, from which is had a magnificent view of the City of New London, risen from its ashes, the river for several miles in extent, and in the distance, of Islands, and of vessels foreign and coast-wise, passing to and fro through the sound. In Groton is situated Whipple's Home School for Deaf Mutes, in which pupils are taught to speak by the system known as "articulation and lip reading." This school was founded by Jonathan Whipple, the first successful teacher ot the art, in the United States. OYSTERS. The water of the rivers and bays in the vicinity of New London, particularlv, Pequonnoc river, in the adjacent town of Groton, a mile or two east, are prolific in the growth of oysters of the finest quality, commanding the highest price of any in market. Between thirty and forty acres of ponds con- nected with this river, under the control of Mr. Thomas Fitch, are especially devoted to Oyster culture, and large prepara- tions are being made for the increase of this business. As a breeder of choice Jersey cattle, Mr. Fitch is well known throughout the country. The celebrated cows "Maggie Mitch- ell," "BufF" and "Palestine 3rd," noted for their large yield of butter, were bred by him. 24 GRANITE. From the quarries in Groton, the finest granite is obtained, and monuments worked from it, are sent to Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and other parts of the country. Granite from the celebrated Mill Stone quarry in Waterford, near New London, has been used in the construction of nearly every fort in the United States, and of many buildings, public and private. It has also been shipped to Mexico and else- where. There are other granite quarries in this vicinity. MARINE RAILWAYS. There are three establishments in New London, operating from three to five sets of ways, each. More than five hundred vessels are annually hauled up and repaired here. CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, &C. Many of the Church edifices of New London are among the finest and most costly in the State. There are three of granite, one of free-stone, and several of brick and wood, while its Schools may be said to compare favorably with those of other New England cities. Since 1853, the city has been lighted with gas. BANKS. There are four National Banks. The Union Bank, incor- porated in 1792, has a capital of ^300,000, the New London City National Bank, capital 8100,000, the Whaling Bank, cap- ital $150,000, and the National Bank of Commerce, capital $300,000. There are two Savings Banks, the Savings Bank of New London, incorporated in 1827, and having over $3,000,000 deposits, and the Mariners Savings Bank, incorporated in 1867, with more than $1,000,000 deposits. The Equitable Trust Company has a capital of one million, soon to be increased to one and a half million. '',^ I J^- o o. 3 m n m o «so»'' f'ti ""v * fAjf.T. hUi. L^""T^xMid j)CT»ipftn!nwflO(»flfcr ^gmitbi- Mile H- A(v J T/^^ ^^ T» UNewport I \ Oiivculry I ) ui /