The New Student's Reference Work/Portsmouth, N. H.

Ports′mouth, N. H., a city, on Piscataqua River, three miles from its mouth, and on the eastern division of the Boston and Maine Railroad. The United States Navy-Yard is on the opposite bank of the river, with facilities for docking the largest ships afloat and well-equipped shops and engineering plants. The city possesses the deepest harbor on the coast and important coastwise trade. The harbor never freezes. Portsmouth contains a superior line of stores and several important manufacturing interests. It is rich in historical memories, and possesses fine buildings and parks. The first settlement was made in 1623 by London merchants. The original charter, adopted in 1849, was amended in 1905 giving the city practically a new charter. The government is vested in a mayor and a council. The council elects heads of departments and subordinate officials. The city has waterworks, an electric-light plant and an electric street-car system, owning and operating the first. Population 11,269.