USA > Maine > The story of the Great Salt Bay and Vaughn's Pond > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
In those days before modern refrigeration, the ice in- dustry was also of considerable extent and we note the records of harvesting great crops which were transported to ships at Damariscotta and sent South. This industry thrived all along the coast in those days. Much was shipped to Florida and other southern states where no supply what- ever was available.
Quite a few sailboats, small craft and steamers, were built for towing rafts of logs, as well as transporting persons and supplies, to locations about the lake. The natural beauty of this lake is almost without parallel and considerable business was done with parties and picnics, as well as moon- light sails.
One of the first and largest steamers built on the lake was the "Jefferson". This side-wheeler was built in 1837 by Haskell & Company, at the upper end of the lake. She was of 103 registered tons, and built somewhat on the lines of the Mississippi River boats. She could navigate the shal- low parts of the lake with safety and promised to be a good investment, but did not prove profitable and was sold to parties on the Maine coast to the eastward.
A Mr. Umberhine contracted to land the steamer on the Great Salt Bay, where it could be taken down the Damaris- cotta River to the ocean. He attempted to haul it by means
21
VAUGHN'S POND
of great teams, but it crushed everything he constructed. Being unable to devise any way to move it, he contacted Mr. Bartlett Sheldon, of Newcastle, who was an experienced man in such matters. Mr. Sheldon built a large cradle which proved capable of holding the great ship. He then procured 200 yoke of oxen and the moving began. It consumed most of a month, but it was eventually landed on the Bay. A record of the moving is given in "The History of Damariscotta," under Chapter 16, of Shipbuilding, "Ships of Nobleboro." This would be of interest to the reader, as it tells the details of the task; the amount of rum and hard cider consumed and also, of the accident which killed many yoke of oxen during the moving. Taken to the salt water the steamer was cut in half and 15 feet added to its length. Official records show that it was in commission over 40 years after this time.
One steamer of which more is known was "The Lady of the Lake." This little steamer was used for some time to meet the Knox and Lincoln Trains at Muscongus Bay and take passengers up the lake to the Jefferson area. After a time she was sold to parties on the coast and was moved overland at Damariscotta Mills to the salt water and taken down the river as far as Clark's Cove, where she caught on fire and burned.
Another steamer which shared considerably in the his- tory of the lake was "The River Belle," a picture of which is on the last page. This little steamer was built and ran in the coastal waters of Maine. A Mr. Brown, who owned the hotel at the head of the lake in Jefferson, purchased this steamer; brought it up the river, and hauled it overland into the lake where it remained for about two years. He took out parties, towed log rafts, and met trains at Muscongus Bay, but was unable to make the venture profitable and he sold it to parties on the coast. It was hauled back into the river and later seen frequently in the vicinity of New Harbor, Round Pond and Pemaquid.
By the year 1900 there were many who had private power boats and small sail boats on this beautiful lake, but there seemed to be the promise of profit in commercial craft,
22
THE STORY OF THE GREAT SALT BAY AND VAUGHN'S POND
although past experiences had taught otherwise. The Haggett's had built a grain mill at Damariscotta Mills and there seemed to be considerable demand for the delivery of grain and supplies around the lake. Mr. Adoniram Trask and Mr. H. Glenwood Rollins, felt a small steamer would be profitable and built the "Allison Reed." It was of 10 tons and 40 feet long by 12 feet beam. They enjoyed a fairly profitable business for a while, but Haggett's mill burned and this was a serious blow to the venture, which could no longer operate at a profit. The little steamer was then hauled up on the sand beach at the southern end of the lake, where it remained for some years until it was eventually blown up and the wreckage taken out into the lake and sunk.
There are several summer camps for both boys and girls, as well as a great many summer cottages on this beautiful lake. Some of these camps and cottage owners have small sail boats, but most communication is by small craft, such as canoes and outboard motor-driven boats.
The last party boat on the lake was the "V8." It was a fine open boat with deck chairs. It was owned and operated by the late Harold Chapman of Nobleboro. He took parties for a 25 mile sail about the lake, stopping at Bond's store in Jefferson, where ice cream, tonic and refreshments were served. The author accompanied Mr. Chapman on one of these trips with a party of New York and New Jersey business men and their families. The guests were greatly impressed with the beauty of the lake as well as the genial hospitality of the Bond brothers.
In passing along the great bay, at the Jefferson end of the lake, a stop was made at Sunset Lodge, the beautiful establishment of Mr. Chandler Stetson, where we were received with cordial hospitality and shown about this lovely camp site.
Returning to the speed boat, we passed from the great bay to the narrower portion which rivals the scenery of the renowned Swiss lakes.
23
VAUGHN'S POND
The trip back to Muscongus Bay brought us off East Neck, where the beautiful Camp Kieve is located. Passing on into the bay we noted the merry voices of the girls at Camp Makaria, and fancied we saw Mrs. Clive Hall presid- ing over this group of happy young women in her own inimitable way.
Just ahead, our journey ended at "Butter and Egg Bridge." This was named by the workmen who were employed by Mr. Teague to build the first bridge. They boarded at Mr. Edwin Oliver's where the food was excellent and there was such a plentiful supply of butter and eggs that the men named the bridge for the principle food they felt they built it with.
Leaving the little boat, we returned to town, having a firm conviction that this magnificent lake must be seen to be appreciated. Our minds had been busy with thoughts of all the early activity and commercial enterprises which were so popular on Vaughn's Pond, but the ever-present beauty remains for the generations to come.
24
THE STORY OF THE GREAT SALT BAY AND VAUGHN'S POND
AGE OF MAINE TOWNS ADJACENT TO VAUGHN'S POND AND THE DAMARISCOTTA RIVER
Newcastle. Inc. June 19, 1753. 12th Town of Maine. Older than the United States of America, The State of Maine and Lincoln County.
Lincoln County.
Inc. June 19, 1760.
Boothbay. Inc. Nov. 3, 1764. 21st Town of Maine.
Bristol. Inc. June 18, 1765. 22nd Town of Maine.
Waldoboro. Inc. June 29, 1773. 32nd Town of Maine.
Edgecomb. Inc. Mar. 5, 1774. 33rd Town of Maine.
Nobleboro. Jefferson. Whitefield.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE July 4, 1776
Inc. Nov. 20, 1788. 58th Town of Maine. Inc. Feb. 24, 1807. 166th Town of Maine. Inc. June 19, 1809. 178th Town of Maine.
STATE OF MAINE
23rd State of the Union, Mar. 15, 1820. At this time there were already 236 in- corporated towns in the District of Maine.
Bremen. Inc. Feb. 19, 1828. (From Bristol)
Damariscotta. Inc. Mar. 15, 1848. (From Bristol and Nobleboro)
Boothbay Harbor. Inc. Feb. 16, 1889. (From Boothbay)
South Bristol.
Inc. July 2, 1915. (From Bristol)
25
THE MUSCONGUS BAY CANAL
CHAPTER III THE MUSCONGUS BAY CANAL
HOSE who have seen the old map of Lincoln Coun- ty, printed by Lee and Marsh of Philadelphia in 1857, have noticed the "Old Canal" clearly drawn from Muscongus Bay to the Nobleboro railroad crossing and wonder what this could have been.
A casual examination of this map would reveal that the southern end of the lake is just over the barrier at Damaris- cotta Mills from the Salt Bay below. This deepens the mystery of any possible need for so long a waterway and, moreover, the reason for building it so far up the lake.
Referring to the Acts of the Maine Legislature, we note that on March 10, 1821, an Act was passed enabling Daniel Hall, Elias Haskell, Nathaniel Bryant, Stephen Coffin, Richard Jennings, Arad Hazeltine, Joel Howe, Stephen Hodgdon, Samuel Jackson Jr., Harvey Bond, Charles Nickels, Samuel Borland, Josiah Myrick, Joseph Hall, Daniel Weeks, Samuel Merrill, Joseph Merrill, John Borland, and Benjamin Flint, to construct a canal from Damariscotta Pond to Salt Bay.
Many of these were influential men of the time and must have had good and sufficient reason to favor this expensive undertaking. The Act required that they were not to start the canal at any point West of David Gorham's Potash Works, which were on the old Snackerty Road leading to Muscongus Bay.
A further provision of the act was that no mills or machinery were to be installed on the canal. This provision is our only clue that it might have been in competition with the waterway at Damariscotta Mills which was owned by Kavanagh and Cottrell, who realized considerable profit from their mills and tolls for lumber.
Work was begun at the Butter and Egg Bridge at Muscongus Bay and continued on through "Heath Pond," which is said to have no bottom; thence down the countryside
-
26
THE STORY OF THE GREAT SALT BAY AND VAUGHN S POND
past the present Nobleboro railroad crossing and on to Oyster Creek in the Great Bay. The entire distance being about four miles.
This act also specified a period of six years to complete the project and all bridges and wharves for the convenience of the public, were to be built by the company. With little more than picks, shovels, and wheelbarrows, a great amount of work was done and about two miles of the Canal were excavated, but by 1827 there was still much to do, and the Legislature passed another act extending the time to six more years.
A schedule of toll rates was provided by the act and the low charges bear out the evidence that potential business must have been tremendous. The charge for a boat was 10c; if loaded, 20c a ton capacity; hard wood, 30c a thousand; soft, 20c. Unsawed hardwood, 10c a thousand, and soft, 6c. Masts were an average of 2c for each inch of diameter. In consideration of the investment, these rates would appear to be very low, the only explanation being that considerable business was expected.
There are still no logical reasons for this undertaking but the interest in the project continued for many years. The original Legislative Act of 1821 identified the promoters and the conditions under which the corporation would function. It is of interest to note that both Kavanagh and Cottrell died in 1828 and that the Legislative act of 1827 was basically an extension of time. We note however, that in 1829 the promoters obtained another act which repealed several of the objectional parts of the act of 1821. Again in 1834 we find a fourth act relative to this same canal. Little mention is made of any further activity after 1834 and it is apparent that some conditions arose which reduced the prospects considerably.
27
THE MUSCONGUS BAY CANAL
The demand for lumber was still great and the supply apparently unlimited. It seems, therefore, that whatever conditions prevailed at Damariscotta Mills during the time of Kavanagh and Cotrell, must have been modified by their heirs, and terms of toll and other services must have been revised, which attracted the trade to that location, and the prospects of profit from the canal became very uncertain.
It is true that over 12 years of work had only completed about half the canal and that this must have required a sub- stantial investment. If, however, the project seemed certain of failure, it is apparent that the investors concluded that this loss would be less than the futile attempt to continue.
There is considerable evidence to show that there was an actual opposition to whatever rates were charged at the Mills and that this was responsible for the new enterprise, which would have probably operated in direct competition. The men who associated together in this project were men of experience and judgment, which is all the more mystify- ing due to the fact that they were not more certain of success before attempting such an extensive project that required considerable investment.
Some sort of reasoning comparable to this must have prevailed among some of them but the project went on with sufficient interest for 13 years until it was completely abandoned and not one penny was ever realized on the investment.
Those who might clarify this mystery are all dead and older residents who were somewhat informed on the canal, can offer no logical explanation as to why the work was abandoned after so many years of labor and so much in- vestment.
When the Knox & Lincoln Railroad was built in 1869- 1871, it passed directly into a part of this canal, as it approached Muscongus Bay Crossing. Considerable fill was
28
THE STORY OF THE GREAT SALT BAY AND VAUGHN'S POND
put in a part of this excavation, which makes the original canal less noticeable. Vegetation has grown over much of the area, during these 100 years, and all that remains is the records and old deeds and maps, which refer to "The Damariscotta Canal Incorporated of 1821".
29
EVOLUTION OF THE USE OF WATER POWER
CHAPTER IV EVOLUTION OF THE USE OF WATER POWER AT DAMARISCOTTA MILLS FROM 1730 TO 1950
COPY PHOTO BY IVAN FLYE
Picture No. 1
HIS is the first photograph ever taken of the Old Mill Stream at Damariscotta Mills. It is the loca- tion of the original Vaughn mill of 1730. The old sawmill of Nathaniel Bryant 4th is in the foreground. The mill dam directly behind it was the one built by Vaughn in 1730. In the rear of the Bryant mill is the Old Grist Mill which had three stones. The next level dam beside this was built by Joseph Haines in 1872. The original Vaughn mill was what was called a double up and down.
The large building in the rear center was the Match Factory of Joseph Haines. Directly to the left of this is the Gorham House (hotel), which was later occupied by William York, Captain Gorham being the original owner. This was also called the David Boyd place. At the upper left from
30
THE STORY OF THE GREAT SALT BAY AND VAUGHN'S POND
Bryant's mill is a little shack made of slabs which was the smoke house of Charles O'Connell, where alewives were smoked.
Between the Gorham House and Haine's Match Factory is the little house of Samuel Rice. This has been called the Goodnow House by some. Directly over the tall drying houses can be seen the roof and chimney of the Cushing Bryant house. The little house at the right top with two windows was known as the old Colson Hall. Previous to 1840 a school was called a "ciphering school". Mr. James Mulligan 1st was a teacher and taught here at Colson's Hall. In those days men went to school at night to learn how to read, write and figure. This house was later called "Bryant's Hall." Most of the dwellings were built previous to 1840, including the Booth house, not shown in the picture, which caught on fire in 1949, but was saved. The Bryant Mill and the Grist Mill burned in the 90's.
A little house may be seen on the banking at the right. There was a penstock from the middle dam to this house which furnished water power for a foundry that was near the right margin of the picture.
At the base of the lower dam, and just to the right of the Bryant Mill, was a set of locks where the alewives were gathered, as far up as the little building just mentioned. The fish had no way to get into the lake beyond here.
There were three streams leading to the lake. The first and original, being the one just mentioned. This was the dividing line between the towns of Newcastle and Nobleboro and still is. A little farther North, another stream was known as The Middle Stream or Mulligan Stream, because James Mulligan 2nd had a mill there in 1868. Beyond this was the third, or Sacred Stream. This was the fishway, built in 1809, and is still the lock stream by which fish who enter it may reach the lake. This stream is so named because no fish may be taken from it.
These three streams are there today as, The Old Stream; The Mulligan Stream; and the Sacred Stream, naming them from South to North.
31
EVOLUTION OF THE USE OF WATER POWER
COPY PHOTO BY IVAN FLYE
Picture No. 2
This picture was taken after the Bryant Mill and the Grist Mill had burned in the 90's. The old lower dam is still functioning, but somewhat damaged.
Beginning at the right top we note the Diamond Match store house with a track running into it to convey lumber for storage. Next, the white house which was the Diamond Match Office. Directly behind this may be seen the house and ell of the Cushing Bryant place. The large buildings are the Diamond Match Factory. It will be noted that the original Joseph Haines Match Factory of picture No. 1 is the main portion of this plant, which was improved and enlarged. David Boyd's house is next and then the stables of Bradford White.
Quite a few years had elapsed between these two pic- tures as evidenced by the growth of the little pine tree near the middle falls.
32
THE STORY OF THE GREAT SALT BAY AND VAUGHN'S POND
This property as it appears in the picture was purchased by the Diamond Match Company as follows: They gave $10,000 for the water privilege above, and $3,000 to Nathaniel Bryant for the lower part. They later sold this property to a syndicate of Rockland men who paid $10,000 for all of it. They engaged Mr. Bradford White to manage the business. They manufactured lumber in great quantities. Mr. White thought he knew the market and piled up quite a quantity of lumber, which he assured the owners would sell for a much higher price later on. After a great quantity had been accumulated, the owners became convinced that prices would not rise and against Mr. White's advice, they sold it all. It was carted away in great quantities and even ship loads. Almost as soon as it was all gone, the price jumped much higher and they lost considerable profit by not heeding Mr. White's advice and opinion.
As this enterprise had become inactive, the buildings and property attracted the attention of a man named Vaughn, a kinsman of the original Vaughn, who was Presi- dent of the Salem Trust Company, of Salem, Massachusetts. Mr. Vaughn and his associates contemplated a project to electrify the Maine Central Railroad from Bath to Rockland and made a thorough survey of the available water power. They offered the Damariscotta Mills Water Power Company $100,000 if the survey proved that 1000 horse power could be developed every day in the year. Measurements were taken of several surrounding lakes and ponds, including Pemaquid Pond, and a plan was proposed to connect them all together.
It was found that the required horse power was certain except during July and August, when it could develop only 700 horse power a day and the whole plan collapsed. It is of passing interest to note that this estimate was based on the use of the most modern water wheels of that time, but that those in use at present would have made it possible to have met the requirements.
These men now became interested in a factory to produce leatherboard and purchased the property for $25,000. This enterprise was known as The Centrifugal Leatherboard Com- pany of Salem, Massachusetts. The buildings were torn down and the material used as a part of the factory which is shown in picture No. 3.
33
EVOLUTION OF THE USE OF WATER POWER
-
COPY PHOTO BY IVAN FLYE
Picture No. 3
This factory was built by The Centrifugal Leatherboard Company of Salem, Massachusetts. They began work on September 6, 1906 and were ready to produce leatherboard by March of the following year. This enterprise proved profitable and they were able to sell seconds for $150 a ton, and teams were constantly hauling the product to the rail- road for shipment and money was rolling in. All at once, the U. S. Government took the tariff off hides from South America and they were unable to continue.
Mr. Herman M. Castner and Mr. Elmer Waterhouse of Portland, Maine, became interested in the property, pur- chased the second mortgage, and began making electricity. They had hardly started when the Government again put a tariff on foreign hides and they began making leatherboard. They invented a process to produce it white and of a better texture and were so successful that they paid off all the mortgages and owned the plant outright.
34
THE STORY OF THE GREAT SALT BAY AND VAUGHN'S POND
Everyone prospered until July of 1923, when the factory caught on fire and burned. This was a hard blow to the employees, but the insurance was adequate and the owners divided about $160,000 as accumulated profit from the enter- prise. They were undecided whether to rebuild or locate in South Gardiner, Maine. After some time they chose the latter and left town.
No picture of the enlarged plant of Castner and Water- house seems available. They built a 40 foot section to the end which is at the right of the picture.
For the first time since 1730 the place was vacant and although the water power remained, there were no buildings and no commercial use of it.
The Central Maine Power Company were expanding their facilities and they became interested in the location. They purchased the property and built a power station which stands today in 1950.
The evolution of the use of this natural source of power is quite clearly understood by perusing the pictures through- out this chapter. By actual survey the normal water level of the lake is 52 feet above the salt water at average low tide and 47 feet at normal high tide. The rise and fall of tide water in the Great Salt Bay being an average of five feet.
The rather odd geographical formation of rock which ex- tends across the village from East to West, forms a natural barrier to hold back the waters of Damariscotta Lake for some 14 miles to the Town of Jefferson. The amount of artificial construction required to control this great source of power is negligible.
And so, man has been using this water power constantly since the year 1730 when William Vaughn built his first mills. It has furnished a livelihood to many and combined with the yearly harvest of alewives, continues to be profit- able to this day.
.. .
PHOTO BY IVAN FLYE
Picture No. 4 The Central Maine Power Station in 1950
V
COPY PHOTO BY IVAN FLYE The Steamer "River Belle", Captain Brown, at the dock in Jefferson
2000322
OTHER BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR
The Prehistoric Oyster Shell Heaps of the Damariscotta River
The Story of Ancient Pemaquid
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.