by the force of the current while attempting to make a landing above. A few years later a small steamer became unmanageable, and was borne swiftly to destruction in the maelstrom below the central fall, carrying with it the captain and three others to an appalling death. The current which sets into the "basin" in high-water is alarming to the nervous passenger; and a steamboat is often an hour in getting out of it into the river above, during which hour he has plenty of time to imagine all that might happen should the machinery become disabled, or the cables part, which, for greater safety, connect the boat with the shore. In ordinary stages of water there is no difficulty in contending with the force of the water. A canal around the falls is in course of construction, which will do away with the portage entirely.
The Falls of the Wallamet constitute the great water-power of the State. The favorite term for Oregon City is, "The Lowell of the Pacific Coast;" and there is indeed every natural agency here for the making of a second Lowell. One of the largest woolen-mills of the State is located here. It is built substantially of stone and brick, four stories high, and 190 by 60 feet in ground area; and contains twelve sets of the most improved machinery. Its manufactures are blankets, flannels, and cassimeres, and light cloths. It is the intention of the Company in time to manufacture delaines, and other fabrics used for women's dresses.
The celebrated "Imperial" flouring-mill is located at Oregon City, which has a capacity for turning out five hundred barrels of flour every twenty-four hours. Another flouring-mill; a paper-mill, for the manufacture of coarse and printing paper; a lumber-mill,
