|
This is a set of vintage technical engravings titled "Engines and Boilers at the Washington Mills, Lawrence, Mass., U.S.A.." and "Power Plant of the Washington Mills Company, Lawrence, Mass., U.S.A."." They are in excellent condition and were published in a British engineering journal. The two pages are dated Oct. 11, 1898. The first is a large foldout engraving showing sectional views of the large steam engines and internal tube layout of the boilers at the Washington Mill. The second shows a photo engraving of the large boiler and other technical drawings of the riveting and doors of the boiler. The engravings are accompanied by an article describing the engines and boilers in great detail. History of Lawrence Massachusetts as reported in 1890 The Shawsheen enters the Merrimack at the eastern line of the town, having formed half the divisional line between the city and North Andover, which is completed from this point by the larger river. The Spicket River crosses the northern portion of the city, entering the Merrimack within the limits, and just after receiving the waters of the northern canal. The tide flows up the Merrimack to Mitchell's Falls, some three miles below the city. Shortly previous to 1880, the United States government so improved these falls that coal barges of 4 feet draft, and small, flat-bottomed steam-boats, can come up to the lower part of the city. Lawrence is touched by the Boston and Maine Railroad, by its Lowell and Eastern divisions, and by Manchester and Lawrence Railroad, — giving connections on every side. More than two thirds of the area of the city is a level plain about 60 feet above the sea, with three large hills and several small ones rising from it. The greatest elevation is 245 feet, and the least 25 feet; the highest parts being the eastern and western sections. The soil of the plains is sandy and unproductive, while the hilly portions are clayey and gravelly, and more fertile. The underlying rock is gneissic in some parts, in others argillaceous slate. There are but 36 farms; and their annual product, reported in 1855, was valued at $58,447; this including the greenhouse product of $11,721. The Essex Company, the proprietor of the water-power and surrounding lands, at the very start laid out the streets, and gave lands for a public park and a common, and for the erection of public buildings. The common comprises about 17 acres in the heart of the city, and has a pretty pond in its centre, and is finely ornamented with shade-trees; and the park, on Prospect Hull, is a delightful retreat for rest and recreation. Union and Storrow parks, also, are now attractive spots in the midst of the city. Along the oldest streets, also, are well-grown trees, set when manufacturing began. The aggregate length of the streets is upwards of 80 miles. The dam across the Merrimack, which is the source of the water-power of the city, was commenced in 1845 and completed in 1847. It is of granite, bedded into the rock bottom in hydraulic cement. Its length is l,629 feet, width 35 feet at its base and 12½ feet at the top. It is backed by a layer of gravel to within a few feet of the surface. The cost complete was $250,000. The fall of water is 26 feet. The north canal, completed about the same time, is a little over a mile long, 100 feet wide at the upper, and 60 feet at the lower end and 12 feet deep. It is parallel with the river at a distance of 400 feet. In the space thus enclosed stand most of the large factories using water-power. The second canal, on the south side of the river, was begun in 1870, is 1¼ miles long, and discharges into Shawsheen River. The limit of the water-power of this city is estimated at 10,000 horse-power, of which 7,200 have been sold. The manufacture of cotton cloths in all their variety is the leading industry here; while the manufacture of woollens is very extensive. The city is noted also for its excellence in the manufacture of carpetings. other goods made are steam engines and boilers, mill machinery and mechanical implements, coaches, sewing-machines, hats, clothing, tin-ware, belting, boxes and many others. The five paper mills here employ nearly 400 persons. The principal factories are the Washington Mills and the Atlantic Mills, built in 1846; the Pacific Mills and the Pemberton Mills, incorporated in 1852; the Lawrence Duck Company, incorporated in 1859; the Everett Mills, in 1860; the Lawrence Woollen Company, in 1864; the Arlington Mills, in 1865; the Wright Manufacturing Company, in 1873; the Russell Paper Company; the Lawrence Lumber Company; and the Lawrence File and Spindle Works. Altogether, there are more than 40 corporations in the city; and the plant is valued at more than $13,000,000. The Pacific Mills is probably the largest manufacturing concern in the world; its capital being $2,500,000, while it furnishes employment to about 3,500 persons. The value of all the goods made in the last census year (1885) is given at $18,257,822. The number of dwelling-houses assessed is 5,676. The valuation of the city in 1888 was $28,971,979, with a tax-rate of $16 on $1,000. There are five national banks, with an aggregate, capital of $1,025,000; and three savings banks, now carrying deposits to the amount of about $7,000,000. The population in 1880 was 39,151; in 1885 it was 38,862, — a falling off owing to the suspension of work in some of the mills. The loss was transient; the population hoeing estimated in January, 1889, as about 45,000. History from pp. 403-406 in Nason and Varney's Massachusetts Gazetteer, 1890 The overall size of each of the foldout engraving is approx. 14 by 20 inches, and the other is approx 11 by 14 including text on the reverse side. This is an original period item, over 100 years old and guaranteed to be as described. When matted and framed these antique prints make very fine gifts! We can mail these directly to a third party if you wish. (Lawrence mass washington mills steam engines & boilers was posted and is owned by: Melinda Mays) |
Melinda_mays@chicagopartsnetwork.com (Melinda Mays) for more information.
