Western Maine Foothills Region

By William N. Weston & Nghia Ha
Images contributed by Rumford Area Historical Society

The pictures to the left show the use of piers and booms that were built in the rivers, in the early days of paper mills. The rivers were the main way of getting the logs to the mills at that time.

The piers were built on the river ice during the winter months (January, February, and March) in 1893. The piers were usually built with softwood logs or timbers. They were filled with rocks to sink them in the river. The top slanted side faced the current to deflect the ice flow. The piers were the anchors for the booms.

The booms were tree-length spruce logs, chained together with heavy chains, called “boom chains,” and these booms were chained to the piers. The booms were used to channel the logs (keeping them together) down the river to the mills.

The spikes anchored the logs or timbers together in the building of the piers. Some of the deteriorating piers can still be seen the Androscoggin river, above the High Bridge, in the Virginia Area of Rumford.

Here is the letter from Waldo Pettengill to Hugh J. Chisholm regarding plans to build the booms and piers for the mill.

Mr. H. J. Chisholm

Dear Sir

I was in Portland Tuesday and called at the office see you in regard to the Winter plans and as I did not see you I will write you in regards to some of the matters that most require attention on your part. The most important matter for consideration now is what is to be done in regard to the makings of the Boom and Piers above the Falls.

The ice is not strong enough yet to work upon but the work should be planned so as to be ready to ______________as soon as the weather forms.

Mr. Wilson of the firm of Braser and Wilson came here in the fall before the river froze and looked over the ground and I presume have some desirable suggestions to make to you in this matter.

I have all the spruce logs left from the dam sorted and large ones suitable for river piled on the bank ready to use if you decide to use them. I have heard of some Hemlock logs that are offered for sale also. I think I can buy hardwood logs if wish to so that as to timber we can be supplied. As to the filling, it seems to me that as there is a large amount of ledge at either end of the new dam that must be removed to give sufficient waterway in high water that the best plan would be to let a job by the yard to blast away the rock there and put in the piers at the lower end of the dam and the filling of the upper piers to let that to anyone that would do it – at a reasonable price per yard.

The log work it seems to me cannot be done most satisfactorily by day work as it is of the utmost importance that it be done perfectly. I make these suggestions for your consideration that the matter may be decided at your earliest convenience.

Mr Mixer has notified all parties to be ready to have water let into the Middle Canal on Wednesday Dec. 28th which calls for active operations all around.

The Chemical Association are the first to be ready for water. I think the Sulfite Company will have to put in a coffer but the Paper Company ought to be out of the way the proper operation it seems to me.

Everson will have to put in a coffer into the lower canal to keep the water from his work when the Chemical Association begins to use water.

Your letter in regard to building cottages for rent, and sale was duly received and I had notices inserted in some of our papers. Also had handbills printed and sent to the prominent builders in the state. I had previously instructed several to take hold of the matter and there is at present time as much building going on as at any time this year with a good prospect in future in that direction.