Robert Gordon and Patrick Malone have just published a thoroughly researched and annotated paper, “‘Perpetual power’ from the Tides in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 1813–1858.” Both authors are long-time Tide Mill Institute supporters and advisors and have spoken about Boston tide mills at past TMI conferences.
According to its abstract, the 27-page paper describes how engineers “overcame daunting technological challenges” to harness the tides in Boston from 1822 to 1858, providing “continuous, uniform tidal power to Boston industries.” This energy-producing system operated like a modern utility by selling this energy to industrial customers. Inventors and artisans, too, took advantage of this energy source, and roads built on the dams around the tidal basins became important transportation links.
Eventually, the basins became detrimental to the environment and caused pollution complaints. Rising urban land values led to their filling, creating today’s Back Bay neighborhood. Competition from steam power also contributed to the demise of the tide-powered mills.
“Perpetual Power” was published June 4 in Water History, the journal of the International Water History Association. The complete paper is available for purchase through its publisher, Springer Nature, but the paper’s abstract, acknowledgements and references can be viewed online without charge.