Welcome to a very special episode of Asa’s World Tour of Maine. Earlier this summer on my tour of Fort Ticonderoga in New York, I shared an idea of incorporating my newfound knowledge of how to fire an historic cannon into my act. I envisioned doing a 21 poop bag salute (EMPTY – for all of you who presumed otherwise) at the end of my concert. However, since that time my tour manager, Llily Llama, has made a few phone calls, and has discovered companies won’t insure such things, especially for an up and coming rock star with no real knowledge of the dangers of explosives. This why she arranged for me to take a tour of the Gambo Preserve in Gorham, Maine. It is a 1.2 mile trail through the location of a former gunpowder mill, with an explosive history.
Established in 1824 in a converted sawmill along the Presumpscot River, the Gorham Powder Company began producing gunpowder for sporting firearms, military use, and blasting. As time went on production expanded across the river to include the town of Windham, manufacturing gunpowder not only for this country but for European markets as well. Eventually it was sold and renamed the Oriental Powder Company. During the Civil War this factory in Maine produced more than 25% of the military-grade gunpowder used by the Union forces. At its peak, production during the war years exceeded 2,500,000 pounds.
The production of gunpowder required raw materials from around the globe, specifically potassium nitrate (saltpeter) imported from India, and sulfur (brimstone) from Sicily. The imported ingredients initially arrived by boat on the Cumberland and Oxford Canal which ran along the bank of the river, providing a safe and economical way to transport the materials to and from the wharves of Portland. Later in 1871 railroads replaced the canals with a more direct and faster means of transportation. Traces of the canal are still visible today along the trail.
Charcoal was also needed to manufacture gunpowder. Made on site, using alder and poplar wood, the cast-iron retort furnaces were on an island, so that the sparks from making charcoal would not ignite the explosive materials nearby. Today, due to the hydroelectric dam, the water level has risen, making the island appear much smaller than when it was in use.
Another safety measure was instead of having one large factory, there were many smaller buildings, strategically spaced apart on the property. Not only was this done as an attempt to prevent accidental explosions, if one did occur, it would hopefully minimize the damage to one specific area, instead of completely shutting down operations. Today traces of these buildings are still visible in the woods and underbrush, including the foundation of the wheel press used to grind the materials into a fine powder.
Employees were also required to don and doff their work clothes on site, so as not to risk accidental explosions at home and in their community from the accumulated gunpowder dust. In addition, shoes were not allowed due to the nails in the soles could cause a spark. Most workers wore specially made shoes or slippers, while in the summer months many chose to go barefoot.
However, despite having many strict safety precautions in place, explosions did happen. Over the course of its 80 years, there were 32 recorded explosions that claimed the lives of 46 men, and countless more were seriously injured over the years.
Following the Civil War, the demand for military-grade gunpowder dramatically decreased and the company went bankrupt. However, it was purchased by DuPont, and continued manufacturing until it finally closed its doors in 1904. Later a hydroelectric dam began operations in 1925, and continues to harness the power of the river today.
Despite its explosive history, today the Gambo Preserve is a quiet walk in the woods. Dogs are allowed on-leash. Maintained by the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, the Gambo Preserve is part of a much bigger network of trails at Shaw Park (55 Partridge Ln, Gorham, ME). To access this trail, follow the paved path to the right of the ball field, which will eventually lead you the preserve’s trailhead, also on the right. There you will find along this easy dirt trail historic markers explaining this little-known chapter in Maine history. To learn more about this history, we recommend the video, Gunpowder Mills of Gorham and Windham, Maine, produced by Gorham Community Access Media and based on a book written by longtime USM chemistry professor Dr. Maurice Whitten.
Alright, now I understand why adding an historic cannon to my show is probably not a good idea. Thank you for joining me on this very special hike. Please join me next week for my next stop on Asa’s World Tour of Maine.
