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Appendix No. 9.
UNITED STATES.
Stat Papers.
State Papers, Index.
Census, 1870.
1882 Army Register.
"Engineer Reports."
"James' Naval
North-eastern Section.
The north-eastern section is characterized by its serrated outline and numerous harbours, and, though differing in these respects entirely from other sections, is not less distinguished by the prevalence at certain seasons of dense and lasting fogs. The extent of this section, measuring from point to point, wherever the breaks of the coast are abrupt, is about 500 miles; while a straight line, from Cape Cod to Quoddy Head, is hardly half that distance.
The eastern half of this coast is singularly indented by deep bays, the shores being universally rocky, and having numerous islands surrounded by deep water, which not only add to the number of harbours, but afford besides an interior navigation well understood by the hardy coasters of this section, and measurably secured by its intricacies, and the other dangers of this foggy and boisterous region, from interruption by the enemy.
The western half, though it has two very prominent capes and a few bays, is much less broken in its outline than the eastern. It is covered by few islands, in comparison, but contains, nevertheless, several excellent harbours.
State of Maine.
The eastern harbours of Maine are exposed, in a peculiar manner, not only being on the flank of the American line, but quite near to the public establishments of the greatest maritime Powers.
Although it is acknowledged that no system of defences could entirely deprive an enemy, in command of the sea, of islands and harbours on this coast, very extensive plans have been made, requiring the erection of twenty-one forts.
Upon the harbours of Maine have been expended from public funds, besides expenditure by States and towns on their own account, 1,400,000 dollars up to 1879, shared between twenty-two ports and rivers, but the chief are Kenebec, Penobscot, Portland Harbour, and Saco River, which absorb 850,000 dollars.
thin," "moderate,"
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Of the five degrees of population of the census, which we shall call“ very thin,' dense," "very dense."
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And of the five degrees of wealth, which we shall call-"very poor," "poor," "well off," "rich,” "very rich."
Maine has a moderate population, and is well off.
There were, in 1870, 12,000 sailors, steam-boat men, watermen, &c. (in future sailors); 4,000 fishermen and oystermen (in future fishermen); 1,800 lumbermen, raftsmen, and woodchoppers (in future raftsmen); 2,800 ship riggers, caulkers, carpenters, and smiths (in future shipwrights). These figures require but little correction, as the old census of 1870 was 636,915, the new 648,945. In future the two census' will be quoted; the corrections necessary in the details of 1870 Census must be inferred.
The actual defences are as follows:-
The regular army has already been mentioned, and will not be detailed again. Organized militia, armed with obsolete guns and various small arms, and imperfectly trained (number of artillery and guns, however, not known), 1,700; unorganized, 97,510 (these are new census figures in all cases).
Actual forts :---
Fort Knox, Narrows of Penobscot River, defence of Eangor 18 miles above; requires exten-
sive modifications.
Fort Popham, Kennebec River, defends entrance through the mouth of Kennebec to its rich valley and cities of Bath and Augusta and arsenal there; requires extensive modifi- cations; is unfinished.
Defences of Portland:-
Fort Georges defends harbour and channels leading to it; is in an incomplete condition. Fort Preble commands the two principal channels; in an incomplete condition, and suffering
from exposure.
Fort Scammel commands four of the channels leading to harbour; improvements only partly
executed; work in an incomplete state.
Battery, Portland Head, to prevent a position being taken up behind Bank's Island to
bombard or shell shipping; in an incomplete condition.
Batteries, Cow Island, to prevent enemy occupying Casco Bay; plans for heaviest guns;
work not commenced for want of funds.
Batteries, Great Hog Island, to co-operate with above; in same state. A Fort Sulivan is
mentioned in Army Register at Eastport; it is neither cared for nor garrisoned.
In our war with the States, we obtained marked successes in this region, capturing and holding History, &c.," Cust's Castine, Bangor, &c. The events of previous wars would too long detain us; but they should cer-
tainly be studied, allowances being made for changes of circumstance, increase of population, &c.
Annals.
Washington, p. 1.
As Portland stands on a peninsula, it might probably be held after capture if desired; or a strict blockade, without an attack, might induce Maine to declare itself independent.
This question of blockade, and Tariffs, and conflicting interests of the coast, manufacturing, and inland agricultural States, extends along the whole coast, and is a weapon capable of being used beyond Maine.
State of New Hampshire.
The proposals do not differ greatly from the actual works.
Harbour improvements, Cocheco River, 100,000 dollars; Portland small; it is by nature an excel- lent harbour.
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