METALS AND THEIR ORES. 



59 



The masses of ore seem to be in vertical segregations. Consequently there is more 

 uncertainty as to their extending to a great depth, than if the ore occurred in lodes in 

 a stratified rock ; but this uncertainty is in a measure counterbalanced by the large 

 masses in which the ore here occurs. 



Until recently this ore has been far from any means of transportation by railway; but 

 now the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad, which extends through Bartlett, will pass 

 within three miles of the mine, and a branch road can be easily built up Rocky Branch 

 to a point where a tramway can be constructed to the shaft, and thus the ore can be 

 moved altogether by steam. 



The following may be considered a fair estimate as to cost of mining and profits : 



200 tons of ore per day, at $2.64 per ton, 

 General expense, .... 



Freight to Portland, .... 



$528.00 



50.00 



300.00 



Entire cost, $878.00 



Value of ore at $6 per ton, $1,200.00 



which leaves a margin of $322 per day as profit on a capital not exceeding $160,000. 



The following is an estimate for a day, provided the ore is smelted in the valley of 

 Rocky Branch near the mine : 



200 tons of ore, at $2.64 per ton, $528.00 



16,000 bushels of charcoal, at 8 cents per bushel, . . . 1,280.00 



30 furnace men, at $3.50 per day, 70.00 



160 laborers, at $1.50 per day, ....... 240.00 



Limestone for flux, 100.00 



Repairs, etc., 40.00 



General expenses, ......... 250.00 



Freight on 100 tons of iron to Portland, 170.00 



$2,678.00 



These figures, at the present (1871) price of pig iron, would leave a very large margin 

 for profit, although the necessary outlay for the construction of furnaces, etc., would 

 greatly increase the capital stock to be employed in carrying on the operations. The 

 ore could probably be extracted, especially if it is done by open mining, at a much less 

 cost than we have given in the above estimate, the location being favorable for this kind 

 of excavation. The mine is owned by E. S. Coe & Co., of Bangor, Me. 



The other statement is as follows, in a letter penned after two days of 

 examination, dated November, 1873. 



There is really iron upon Iron mountain, and some of the ore of excel- 

 lent percentage ; but it occurs the most capriciously of any iron I have 

 ever come across, and the workings have not as yet revealed any reliable 



