Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XI.djvu/704

686 MOBILE is south. In the lower part of its course the banks are marshy and alluvial. The bay of Mobile is about 30 m. in length from N. to S., with a general width of 10 or 12 m., except where it expands on the southeast into the subsidiary bay of Bon Secours, which extends some 8 or 10 m. further to the eastward. The entrance from the gulf of Mexico, between Mobile point on the east and Dauphine isl- and on the west, is about 3 m. wide, and is commanded by Fort Morgan on Mobile point, and Fort Gaines on Dauphine island. The bay has another outlet on the southwest through Grant's pass, N. of Dauphine island, which communicates with Mississippi sound. Through this channel steamers and other vessels of light draught generally pass when plying between Mobile and New Orleans. The bar in front of the main entrance of the bay admits of the passage of vessels drawing 21 or 22 ft. The ordinary anchorage for ships is 4 or 5 m. with- in the entrance of the bay. The whole of the upper portion of the bay is shallow, and is supposed to be gradually filling up with sedi- mentary deposits from the rivers that flow into it. There is a lighthouse on Mobile point ; another on Sand island, 3 m. S., immediately in front of the entrance ; and one at the head of the bay, a little below the city of Mobile. MOBILE, a S. W. county of Alabama, bounded E. by Mobile river and bay, S. by the gulf of Mexico, and W. by Mississippi; area, nearly 1,400 sq. m. ; pop. in 1870, 49,311, of whom 21,107 were colored. The surface is generally uneven, except in that portion bordering on the bay and gulf, and the soil is sandy and poor, mainly covered with forests of pine. It has many streams of pure water, and, except on the low borders of the river, is very health- ful. The county is traversed by the Mobile and Ohio, the New Orleans, Mobile, and Texas, and other railroads terminating at Mobile. A few miles S. of the mainland, in the gulf of Mexico, immediately W. of the entrance of Mobile bay, and forming a part of the county, is Dauphine island, the seat of a French set- tlement established by Bienville in 1702. It was originally called Massacre island, from the number of human bones found upon it. For several years it was at intervals the seat of government of the colony of Louisiana. The chief productions in 1870 were 61,350 bushels of Indian corn, 10,394 of Irish and 67,116 of sweet potatoes, 90,100 Ibs. of rice, 7,532 of wool, 1,450 of honey, and 317 bales of cotton. There were on farms 451 horses, 492 mules and asses, 3,214 milch cows, 518 working oxen, 4,377 other cattle, 3,013 sheep, and 5,567 swine. There were 5 flour mills, 12 saw mills, 11 manufactories of tin, copper, &c., 14 of ci- irnrs, 2 of engines and boilers, and 5 of tar and turpentine. Capital, Mobile. MOBILE, a port of entry and the capital of Mobile co., Alabama, the largest city and only seaport of the state, on the W. side of Mo- bile river, immediately above its entrance into the bay of the same name, 30 m. from the gulf of Mexico, in lat. 30 42' N., Ion. 88 W., 180 m. S. W. of Montgomery, and 140 m. by rail E. by N. of New Orleans; pop. in 1820, 2,672; in 1830, 3,194; in 1840, 12,672; in 1850, 20,515; in 1860, 29,258; in 1870, 32,034; of whom 13,919 were colored and 4,239 for- eigners. The number of families was 6,301 ; of dwellings, 5,738. The corporate limits ex- tend 6 m. N. and S., and 2 or 3 m. W. from the river. The thickly inhabited part of the city extends for about a mile along the river, and nearly the same distance back to the west- ward. Its site is a sandy plain, rising as it re- cedes from the water. The streets are general- ly regular, well paved, and shaded. There are several fine public buildings, among which is a handsome market house with rooms for the municipal offices in the upper story. The custom house has also accommodations for the post office and United States courts. Among the other noticeable buildings are the thea- tre, Odd Fellows' and temperance halls, guard house and tower, medical college, and the Bar- ton academy. Mobile is lighted with gas, and supplied with water of unusual purity and ex- cellence, which is brought a little more than 5 m., from the foot of Spring hill. Six lines of street railroad traverse the city. The climate is generally healthful, except for occasional visitations of epidemic yellow fever. High and healthful hills within a few miles N. W. and S. W. afford permanent or summer resi- dences. Four lines of railroad furnish com- munication with various points in the south, viz. : the Mobile and Ohio ; Mobile and Mont- gomery ; New Orleans, Mobile, and Texas ; and Alabama Grand Trunk. The trade of Mobile is much hindered by the shallowness of its har- bor. Vessels drawing more than 8 or 10 ft. are obliged to anchor in the bay, 25 m. or more from the city. In 1873 congress appropriated $100,000 for the completion of improvements in the harbor, which it is hoped will enable vessels of 13 ft. draught to reach the wharves. The chief business is the receipt and shipment of cotton. The following table exhibits the num- ber of bales received and shipped for six years : SHIPMENTS. YEARS. KECEIPT8. To foreign poitt. To domestic ports. Total. 1868-'69.. . iseo-^o 1870-'71 230;621 806,061 404673 168,154 200,838 287.074 84,194 97,685 130,429 247,348 298,523 417,508 1871-'72 1872-'73 1873-'74 288,012 832,457 299,578 187,977 132,130 182,867 157,652 197,181 172,222 295,629 829,261 304,589 The trade in naval stores and lumber pro- duced in the vicinity is increasing. In 1873 the shipments consisted of 15,000 to 20,000 barrels of spirits of turpentine, 75,000 to 100,000 of rosin, and 1,000 of tar, together valued at $750,000, and 2,627,549ft. of lumber. The importation of coffee is also increasing, and in 1872-'3 amounted to 58,956 bags. The