This was particularly the case in the great flood of October, 1775, when a large stream, called _New River_, broke out of the _White Mountains_, and bore down every thing in its way, till it found a channel in Ellis River. The Saco, being swelled enormously by this accession to its waters, swept away mills, bridges, domestic animals, and great quantities of lumber.
The burst of New River from the mountains was a great phenomenon; and as its waters were of a reddish brown or blood color, the people considered it an ill omen in those times of revolution.[22]
In regard to the lumbering interests on this river we know but little, save that in years gone by it has constituted a large share of the business done on the river, and that at the present time it has so much diminished as to be comparatively unimportant.[23]
[23] Several letters were written to different gentlemen at Saco, such as were named to me by their friends abroad, for information on this subject; but from some cause, they have remained silent, having taken no notice of my letters, which, I am happy to say, forms but _one_, and the only exception to the prompt and intelligent responses the author has received from gentlemen wherever his inquiries have been directed, whether to the province of New Brunswick, or to gentlemen in Calais, Bangor, Augusta, Brunswick, and Portland, Maine.
Object of the Chapter.--Description of St. John's River.--First Falls.--Contiguous Country.--"Mars Hill."--Prospect.--Grand Falls. --The Acadians, curious Facts respecting them.--The Mirimachi River.--Immense amount of Timber shipped.--Riots.--State of Morals.--The great Mirimachi Fire.--Hurricane.--Destruction of Human Life.--Area of the Fire.--Vessels in Harbor.--Painfully disgusting Sights.--Destruction among Fish.--Fire, rapidity of Progress.--Curious instance of Escape.--Ristigouche River, its Length.--Capacious Harbor.--Appearance of the Country.--High Banks.--Groves of Pine.--A Statistical Table.
With a view to give a general outline of the immense capacities of the strip of country lying east of the St. Lawrence, between the latitudes of 42° and 44° north, I shall include (as the terminus of Maine, not regarding geographical lines) that part of the country known as the province of New Brunswick, whose lumber in quality has, in years past, quite outrivaled that of Maine.