The Atlantic Dyestuff Company was organized in November 1916 in Boston by Albert C. Burrage (1859-1931). He was a lawyer, politician, mining entrepreneur,
horticulturalist and philanthropist (see biography). The main office was located in the 14 story Ames Building which was Boston's first skyscraper:
The company, with a coal-tar dye manufacturing plant in Burrage, Massachusetts, 25 miles south of Boston, was one of the leading American dye manufacturers at the
time. The 40-acre site had four factory buildings, an office, hotel and 34 worker cottages. Charles Curtis was the plant superintendent and Harry Fisher was the chief
dye-testing chemist. Dyestuffs made in 1917 included Sulphur Blacks, Sulphur Browns, Alizarine Yellow Powder and Paste, Direct Blues, Direct Greens, Azo Fuchsine,
and Chrysamine. Dinitrophenol and dinitrochloro benzene, intermediates for Sulphur Blacks, were produced. Business was good and the company increased capital
in early 1919 from $500,000 to $1,000,000 for its expansion plans.
However the original plant was heavily damaged by fire on March 6, 1919, with property loss in excess of $200,000. An explosion in the second floor laboratory
triggered the blaze. All employees escaped. The main building, of concrete structure, had only walls remaining. Several other buildings were saved. The plant had
been recently equipped with new machinery, which was destroyed.
The company considered abandoning dyes manufacturing. However textile mill owners encouraged Atlantic Dyestuff to remain in the business. Multi-year contracts for
dyes, worth several million dollars, were secured and the owners decided to rebuild. A new 110 acre site was located in Newington, New Hampshire near Portsmouth.
The site was the former L.H. Shattuck shipbuilding yard. When the U.S. entered the war, the Newington Shipyard of the Emergency Fleet Corporation was constructed
in 1918 to build wooden ships to transport troops and supplies to Europe. Eleven ships were launched but never put into service. Other activities in nearby Portsmouth
included the Portsmouth Navy Yard, a submarine base employing 2,500; the Gale Shoe Company, employing 400; the Shapiro-Wagman Shoe Company; the Morley
Button Company and the American Agricultural Chemical Company.
The site was located four miles north of Portsmouth, on the south side of the Piscataqua River. The river is a half mile wide and 27 feet deep at the piers of the property,
ample depth for ocean going ships. The site was served by the Lakeport branch of the Boston & Maine railroad. Two miles of railroad track were on the site and the
purchase included a dinkey engine and travelling crane.
The site had existing buildings: office building, warehouses, machine shops, work shops, blacksmith ship, compressor and power houses, first aid station and even
lodging. The purchase included a large amount of equipment: electrical, mechanical,
structural and large stores of building materials.
There were two complete water systems. One system used salt water for fire protection and the other system supplied fresh water. The sloped embankment of the
site allowed contaminants to run into the tidal river and out to sea, avoiding contamination of Newington's drinking water.
In early 1920 work began on the new buildings for the production of intermediates and the 30 dyes in the product line. The company kept the Burrage works running
while the new plant was built. As the new units came on stream, the old units were moved from Burrage and installed as reserve equipment. During the phase out of
the Burrage plant, an explosion and fire occurred June 12, 1920, killing two employees. The manufacturing building was destroyed.
The new plant was completed with an estimated worth of $1.1 million. Six oddly styled buildings were erected, with sharp peaked roofs and one-sided in appearance.
A description of the plant is presented in the article below:
horticulturalist and philanthropist (see biography). The main office was located in the 14 story Ames Building which was Boston's first skyscraper:
The company, with a coal-tar dye manufacturing plant in Burrage, Massachusetts, 25 miles south of Boston, was one of the leading American dye manufacturers at the
time. The 40-acre site had four factory buildings, an office, hotel and 34 worker cottages. Charles Curtis was the plant superintendent and Harry Fisher was the chief
dye-testing chemist. Dyestuffs made in 1917 included Sulphur Blacks, Sulphur Browns, Alizarine Yellow Powder and Paste, Direct Blues, Direct Greens, Azo Fuchsine,
and Chrysamine. Dinitrophenol and dinitrochloro benzene, intermediates for Sulphur Blacks, were produced. Business was good and the company increased capital
in early 1919 from $500,000 to $1,000,000 for its expansion plans.
However the original plant was heavily damaged by fire on March 6, 1919, with property loss in excess of $200,000. An explosion in the second floor laboratory
triggered the blaze. All employees escaped. The main building, of concrete structure, had only walls remaining. Several other buildings were saved. The plant had
been recently equipped with new machinery, which was destroyed.
The company considered abandoning dyes manufacturing. However textile mill owners encouraged Atlantic Dyestuff to remain in the business. Multi-year contracts for
dyes, worth several million dollars, were secured and the owners decided to rebuild. A new 110 acre site was located in Newington, New Hampshire near Portsmouth.
The site was the former L.H. Shattuck shipbuilding yard. When the U.S. entered the war, the Newington Shipyard of the Emergency Fleet Corporation was constructed
in 1918 to build wooden ships to transport troops and supplies to Europe. Eleven ships were launched but never put into service. Other activities in nearby Portsmouth
included the Portsmouth Navy Yard, a submarine base employing 2,500; the Gale Shoe Company, employing 400; the Shapiro-Wagman Shoe Company; the Morley
Button Company and the American Agricultural Chemical Company.
The site was located four miles north of Portsmouth, on the south side of the Piscataqua River. The river is a half mile wide and 27 feet deep at the piers of the property,
ample depth for ocean going ships. The site was served by the Lakeport branch of the Boston & Maine railroad. Two miles of railroad track were on the site and the
purchase included a dinkey engine and travelling crane.
The site had existing buildings: office building, warehouses, machine shops, work shops, blacksmith ship, compressor and power houses, first aid station and even
lodging. The purchase included a large amount of equipment: electrical, mechanical,
structural and large stores of building materials.
There were two complete water systems. One system used salt water for fire protection and the other system supplied fresh water. The sloped embankment of the
site allowed contaminants to run into the tidal river and out to sea, avoiding contamination of Newington's drinking water.
In early 1920 work began on the new buildings for the production of intermediates and the 30 dyes in the product line. The company kept the Burrage works running
while the new plant was built. As the new units came on stream, the old units were moved from Burrage and installed as reserve equipment. During the phase out of
the Burrage plant, an explosion and fire occurred June 12, 1920, killing two employees. The manufacturing building was destroyed.
The new plant was completed with an estimated worth of $1.1 million. Six oddly styled buildings were erected, with sharp peaked roofs and one-sided in appearance.
A description of the plant is presented in the article below:
Reproduction of Article "New Plant of Atlantic Dyestuff Company", Chemical Age, Vol. 29, No. 5, May 1921, p. 172
"Herbert S. Kimball, A.S.M.E., mill engineer, 75 State Street, Boston, Mass., in cooperation with the production managers of the Atlantic Dyestuff Company, is
responsible for the design and construction of its new dyestuff plant on the Piscataqua River at Newington, N. H..
On the site selected was an extensive system of railroad tracks, several buildings that could be used, and three piers making out into deep water, where ocean-
going cargo craft may come alongside. Studies of the future growth were made both as regards the equipment installed last year and that for other processes in
contemplation.
In cooperating with the owners and the insurance inspection board the type of building was studied as regards permanence, ease of enlargement, fire and
explosive hazards, cost, interior lighting during daylight hours, ventilation and upkeep. A standard type was adopted and several buildings were erected.
The dye manufacturing buildings are of one story with walls of terra cotta tile; the roof loads are carried on reinforced concrete pilasters, which give the rather
high walls the desired stability and take all the load off the terra cotta tiles.
The accompanying isometric view of the works shows the wooden framed saw-tooth roof and also it will be observed that there are no windows in the walls of
this type of building. The light and ventilation are obtained through the roof.
The area of one unit of the dye manufacturing buildings is not over 5,000 square feet; three units will be the final number to constitute one building. There was
adopted as a minimum a space of 40 feet between buildings, but in some cases there will be 60 feet.
There are some buildings that do not conform to the standard type, which were designed especially to meet particular requirements.
Fire protection equipment is being laid out by the underwriters in charge of that territory. It is interesting to note that in the chemical manufacturing buildings,
sprinklers are not to be installed.
In studying the layout the aim was to devote a single process to one area. Its location was selected with due regard to the degree of hazard of the process, as
well as its contiguity to the next stage of the process of manufacture. The existing piers, extending out to deep water, and the system of tracks, offer facilities for
unloading raw material and shipping finished products. These existing physical features had considerable bearing on the location of the storehouses for raw
material and in turn on the location of the various processes.
Following is a list of the buildings indicated by numbers and letters whereby their location in the plant can be determined by reference to the isometric view:
Standard Type of Construction: (1) and (7), nitration; (2), distillation—this building has a steel frame instead of reinforced concrete pilasters; (3), reduction; (8),
grinding and drying; (11), storage; (13) and (17), sulphur colors (sulphur colors under construction).
Special Buildings: (16), boiler house—modern steel frame structure, at present with temporary roof and walls; (5), nitric acid plant; (18), sulphuric acid recovery
plant. As regards (5) and (18), plans are ready to start construction which involves wood frames with corrugated asbestos cement siding and roofing.
Proposed construction embraces a (35) mixed acid house; (38) storage for nitrate of soda, and (39) laboratory.
Other structures indicated on the diagram are: (A), storage; (B), compressors; (C), boiler house; (D), shops; (F) hospital; (G), hotel; and (H), railroad station (Boston
& Maine R. R.)"
responsible for the design and construction of its new dyestuff plant on the Piscataqua River at Newington, N. H..
On the site selected was an extensive system of railroad tracks, several buildings that could be used, and three piers making out into deep water, where ocean-
going cargo craft may come alongside. Studies of the future growth were made both as regards the equipment installed last year and that for other processes in
contemplation.
In cooperating with the owners and the insurance inspection board the type of building was studied as regards permanence, ease of enlargement, fire and
explosive hazards, cost, interior lighting during daylight hours, ventilation and upkeep. A standard type was adopted and several buildings were erected.
The dye manufacturing buildings are of one story with walls of terra cotta tile; the roof loads are carried on reinforced concrete pilasters, which give the rather
high walls the desired stability and take all the load off the terra cotta tiles.
The accompanying isometric view of the works shows the wooden framed saw-tooth roof and also it will be observed that there are no windows in the walls of
this type of building. The light and ventilation are obtained through the roof.
The area of one unit of the dye manufacturing buildings is not over 5,000 square feet; three units will be the final number to constitute one building. There was
adopted as a minimum a space of 40 feet between buildings, but in some cases there will be 60 feet.
There are some buildings that do not conform to the standard type, which were designed especially to meet particular requirements.
Fire protection equipment is being laid out by the underwriters in charge of that territory. It is interesting to note that in the chemical manufacturing buildings,
sprinklers are not to be installed.
In studying the layout the aim was to devote a single process to one area. Its location was selected with due regard to the degree of hazard of the process, as
well as its contiguity to the next stage of the process of manufacture. The existing piers, extending out to deep water, and the system of tracks, offer facilities for
unloading raw material and shipping finished products. These existing physical features had considerable bearing on the location of the storehouses for raw
material and in turn on the location of the various processes.
Following is a list of the buildings indicated by numbers and letters whereby their location in the plant can be determined by reference to the isometric view:
Standard Type of Construction: (1) and (7), nitration; (2), distillation—this building has a steel frame instead of reinforced concrete pilasters; (3), reduction; (8),
grinding and drying; (11), storage; (13) and (17), sulphur colors (sulphur colors under construction).
Special Buildings: (16), boiler house—modern steel frame structure, at present with temporary roof and walls; (5), nitric acid plant; (18), sulphuric acid recovery
plant. As regards (5) and (18), plans are ready to start construction which involves wood frames with corrugated asbestos cement siding and roofing.
Proposed construction embraces a (35) mixed acid house; (38) storage for nitrate of soda, and (39) laboratory.
Other structures indicated on the diagram are: (A), storage; (B), compressors; (C), boiler house; (D), shops; (F) hospital; (G), hotel; and (H), railroad station (Boston
& Maine R. R.)"
| Atlantic Dyestuff Company Newington, New Hampshire Plant. Click to Enlarge Photos |
Plant Location
| Atlantic Dyestuff Plant, ca. 1920. Hospital in Center. Photo: Courtesy NH Division of Historical Resources, Garland Patch Collection of Strawbery Banke |
| Atlantic Dyestuff Plant Layout-1920 Sketch: Chemical Age |
| View of Nitrators and Workers-1921 Capable of Producing 40,000 lbs. Daily of TNT Photo: Chemical Age |
| Nitration Building with Horizontal Storage Tanks for Acids, ca. 1920. Photo: Courtesy NH Division of Historical Resources, Garland Patch Collection of Strawbery Banke |
| Distillation Building, ca. 1920 Photo: Courtesy NH Division of Historical Resources, Garland Patch Collection of Strawbery Banke |
| Sulfur Colors Building, ca. 1920 Photo: Courtesy NH Division of Historical Resources, Garland Patch Collection of Strawbery Banke |
| Interior of Sulfur Colors Building Showing Dye Presscake. Photo: Courtesy NH Division of Historical Resources, Garland Patch Collection of Strawbery Banke |
Although it was more common at the time for a dyes manufacturer to sell through dealers, Atlantic Dyestuff organized its own sales force. Charles H. Stone, formerly
with Beckers Aniline & Chemical Works and National Aniline & Chemical Company, was named vice president and sales manager in May 1919. In the same year the
sales force was increased by hiring Alexander Walker, son of R.J. Walker (district manager of Charlotte office) and Lloyd R. Leaver, son of B.T. Leaver (district manager
of Philadelphia office). Other salesmen included T. James Brown, E.R. Saunders, C.C. Burt and C.S. Fuller who formerly was with the Amoskeag Manufacturing
Company.
Customer service facilities were located in all the major textile centers of the U.S, including Boston, Providence, New York, Philadelphia and Charlotte. In August 1919,
the company opened an office, laboratory and warehouse in Chicago, which was managed by Samuel J. Hefti.
In late 1919, the company announced the availability of Atlantamine Green 2G, the chemical duplicate of the competitive colors known as Diamine Green G and
Oxamine Green G. Domestic intermediates were used in the production. The purity of shade was reported to surpass that of the German prototypes. Atlantamine
Brown 2G was made available in 1920 as a substitute for the imported Benzo Brown D3G Extra, one of the largest volume direct dyeing cotton browns.
The first annual salesmen’s convention was held July 1-2, 1920. The attendees visited the new plant near Portsmouth, New Hampshire where production had started
and new equipment was being installed. The group toured the Kittery Navy Yard in Portsmouth harbor, inspecting a submarine ,USS S-7, that was put into commission
that same morning:
Those in attendance were A.C. Burrage, Jr., Charles H. Stone, G. Meisel, J. Nachsatz, R.J. Walker, G.R. Stoettner, C.S. Fuller, B.T. Leaver, S.J. Hefti, S.R. Goldsworthy; T.
James Brown, L.R. Leaver, C.C. Burt, W.S. McNab, J.E. MacDougall, W.C. Dodson, H.A. Rodgers and Everett H. Fuller.
At the Sixth National Expositions of Chemical Industries, held in New York City’s Grand Central Palace in September 1920, Atlantic Dyestuff attracted many visitors to its
booth with a miniature azo plant in full operation. The progress of manufacturing was indicated through the coupling tank, isolation tank, and filter press where the
cake of Benzo Purpurine 4B Paste was displayed. Final progress through the dryer and grinders, from which the product came out in powder form, was shown. The
well known Atlantic Sulphur Blacks appeared on samples of silk and cotton hosiery. Samples of various intermediates and other dyes completed the display.
In October 1920 the company announced it was producing Sulphur Black with only 0.1% insoluble matter compared to 0.5% in pre-war products. This solved eight
problems in the customer’s mill: dusting, rubbing, bronzing, streaking, poor fastness, dye bath sediment, thick dye liquor and spattering in warp dyeing.
Atlantic Dyestuff produced 9.8 million pounds of finished dyes and chemical intermediates in 1920.
The annual statement of the company, issued in July 1921, showed the officers were A.C. Burrage, president; Chas. D. Burrage, treasurer, and A.C. Burrage, Jr.,
director. A.C. Burrage, Jr. also served on the Executive Committee and Board of Governors of the American Dyes Institute. Assets were $1.28 million. Debt was $.71
million, quite large for a small company. All employees were presented with insurance policies for $1,000 each.
In December 1921, announcement was made that shipments of Atlantic Patent Black were scheduled to begin January 1, 1922 from the new plant near Portsmouth.
The product was claimed to be superior to any other Sulphur Black produced, with superior solubility, brilliance, strength, and ability to leave the fiber less harsh.
Atlantic became one of the largest sulphur dye producers in the U.S.
Atlantole Wool Blue S was introduced to the market in April 1922. This was an acid dye with good fastness properties and especially suited for piece dyeing. The
company developed a series of names to denote the colors it produced. "Atlantic" denoted sulfur dyes, "Atlantamine" for direct dyes, "Atlantene" for developed dyes,
"Atlantole" for acid dyes, and "Atlanthrene" for chrome dyes. The product line consisted of the following major colors:
H.G. Brown of Philadelphia joined the sales force in May 1922 and visited customers in the eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey Territory. He was a
graduate of the Philadelphia Textile School and had ten years sales experience in the textile industry.
Charles H. Stone, vice president of the company and in charge of sales, resigned in 1922 to become president of the Textile Alliance, an organization formed to deal
with the reparation of German dyes.
W.R. Smith of Raleigh was named southern sales manager in August 1923 and was based in Charlotte. He worked previously as Carolina salesman for A. Klipstein &
Co. for six years.
In 1924 George R. Stoettner, vice president of the company and manager of the New York office, resigned to establish the Algon Color & Chemical Company on Front
St. in New York. This company planned to manufacture chemical specialties.
The resignation of two vice presidents within two years may have signaled some serious problems within Atlantic Dyestuff. The company lost experienced chemists
Paul Logue and Everett H. Fuller, which slowed the introduction of new products after 1921. Another promising young chemist, MIT graduate Lawrence A. Flett, left in
1922. Flett joined the National Aniline and Chemical Division of Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation, where he eventually held over 75 patents in dyes, intermediates,
and synthetic detergents. .Although Atlantic Dyestuff was once the largest supplier of sulfur dyes in the U.S., its narrow product range could not keep up with that of
larger companies such as Du Pont and Calco. Vat dyes, with superior fastness properties for cotton, were becoming available. Atlantic Dyestuff lacked this knowhow.
In January 1925 the company postponed its dividend payment, as claims of $50,000 were filed with priority claims at bankruptcy proceedings.
The company reorganized in 1926 as the Portsmouth Dye and Chemical Company, apparently with Albert C. Burrage, Jr. in a leadership position. Burrage, Jr. may
have tried to use the surplus intermediates capacity to enter the rubber chemicals market. He acquired eight U.S. patents (1,734,633-1,734,640) from H.B. Morse in
1929. These patents covered vulcanization of rubber with chemicals that Atlantic Dyestuff had the potential of manufacturing.
Despite all efforts, the small company closed by the time of the Great Depression. The site was acquired in 1930 by the Atlantic Terminal Corporation and most of the
buildings were removed to make way for an oil depot. A few of the odd-shaped buildings with saw tooth roofs still remain on the property of the Sprague Energy
Company which now occupies the site.
with Beckers Aniline & Chemical Works and National Aniline & Chemical Company, was named vice president and sales manager in May 1919. In the same year the
sales force was increased by hiring Alexander Walker, son of R.J. Walker (district manager of Charlotte office) and Lloyd R. Leaver, son of B.T. Leaver (district manager
of Philadelphia office). Other salesmen included T. James Brown, E.R. Saunders, C.C. Burt and C.S. Fuller who formerly was with the Amoskeag Manufacturing
Company.
Customer service facilities were located in all the major textile centers of the U.S, including Boston, Providence, New York, Philadelphia and Charlotte. In August 1919,
the company opened an office, laboratory and warehouse in Chicago, which was managed by Samuel J. Hefti.
In late 1919, the company announced the availability of Atlantamine Green 2G, the chemical duplicate of the competitive colors known as Diamine Green G and
Oxamine Green G. Domestic intermediates were used in the production. The purity of shade was reported to surpass that of the German prototypes. Atlantamine
Brown 2G was made available in 1920 as a substitute for the imported Benzo Brown D3G Extra, one of the largest volume direct dyeing cotton browns.
The first annual salesmen’s convention was held July 1-2, 1920. The attendees visited the new plant near Portsmouth, New Hampshire where production had started
and new equipment was being installed. The group toured the Kittery Navy Yard in Portsmouth harbor, inspecting a submarine ,USS S-7, that was put into commission
that same morning:
Those in attendance were A.C. Burrage, Jr., Charles H. Stone, G. Meisel, J. Nachsatz, R.J. Walker, G.R. Stoettner, C.S. Fuller, B.T. Leaver, S.J. Hefti, S.R. Goldsworthy; T.
James Brown, L.R. Leaver, C.C. Burt, W.S. McNab, J.E. MacDougall, W.C. Dodson, H.A. Rodgers and Everett H. Fuller.
At the Sixth National Expositions of Chemical Industries, held in New York City’s Grand Central Palace in September 1920, Atlantic Dyestuff attracted many visitors to its
booth with a miniature azo plant in full operation. The progress of manufacturing was indicated through the coupling tank, isolation tank, and filter press where the
cake of Benzo Purpurine 4B Paste was displayed. Final progress through the dryer and grinders, from which the product came out in powder form, was shown. The
well known Atlantic Sulphur Blacks appeared on samples of silk and cotton hosiery. Samples of various intermediates and other dyes completed the display.
In October 1920 the company announced it was producing Sulphur Black with only 0.1% insoluble matter compared to 0.5% in pre-war products. This solved eight
problems in the customer’s mill: dusting, rubbing, bronzing, streaking, poor fastness, dye bath sediment, thick dye liquor and spattering in warp dyeing.
Atlantic Dyestuff produced 9.8 million pounds of finished dyes and chemical intermediates in 1920.
The annual statement of the company, issued in July 1921, showed the officers were A.C. Burrage, president; Chas. D. Burrage, treasurer, and A.C. Burrage, Jr.,
director. A.C. Burrage, Jr. also served on the Executive Committee and Board of Governors of the American Dyes Institute. Assets were $1.28 million. Debt was $.71
million, quite large for a small company. All employees were presented with insurance policies for $1,000 each.
In December 1921, announcement was made that shipments of Atlantic Patent Black were scheduled to begin January 1, 1922 from the new plant near Portsmouth.
The product was claimed to be superior to any other Sulphur Black produced, with superior solubility, brilliance, strength, and ability to leave the fiber less harsh.
Atlantic became one of the largest sulphur dye producers in the U.S.
Atlantole Wool Blue S was introduced to the market in April 1922. This was an acid dye with good fastness properties and especially suited for piece dyeing. The
company developed a series of names to denote the colors it produced. "Atlantic" denoted sulfur dyes, "Atlantamine" for direct dyes, "Atlantene" for developed dyes,
"Atlantole" for acid dyes, and "Atlanthrene" for chrome dyes. The product line consisted of the following major colors:
H.G. Brown of Philadelphia joined the sales force in May 1922 and visited customers in the eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey Territory. He was a
graduate of the Philadelphia Textile School and had ten years sales experience in the textile industry.
Charles H. Stone, vice president of the company and in charge of sales, resigned in 1922 to become president of the Textile Alliance, an organization formed to deal
with the reparation of German dyes.
W.R. Smith of Raleigh was named southern sales manager in August 1923 and was based in Charlotte. He worked previously as Carolina salesman for A. Klipstein &
Co. for six years.
In 1924 George R. Stoettner, vice president of the company and manager of the New York office, resigned to establish the Algon Color & Chemical Company on Front
St. in New York. This company planned to manufacture chemical specialties.
The resignation of two vice presidents within two years may have signaled some serious problems within Atlantic Dyestuff. The company lost experienced chemists
Paul Logue and Everett H. Fuller, which slowed the introduction of new products after 1921. Another promising young chemist, MIT graduate Lawrence A. Flett, left in
1922. Flett joined the National Aniline and Chemical Division of Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation, where he eventually held over 75 patents in dyes, intermediates,
and synthetic detergents. .Although Atlantic Dyestuff was once the largest supplier of sulfur dyes in the U.S., its narrow product range could not keep up with that of
larger companies such as Du Pont and Calco. Vat dyes, with superior fastness properties for cotton, were becoming available. Atlantic Dyestuff lacked this knowhow.
In January 1925 the company postponed its dividend payment, as claims of $50,000 were filed with priority claims at bankruptcy proceedings.
The company reorganized in 1926 as the Portsmouth Dye and Chemical Company, apparently with Albert C. Burrage, Jr. in a leadership position. Burrage, Jr. may
have tried to use the surplus intermediates capacity to enter the rubber chemicals market. He acquired eight U.S. patents (1,734,633-1,734,640) from H.B. Morse in
1929. These patents covered vulcanization of rubber with chemicals that Atlantic Dyestuff had the potential of manufacturing.
Despite all efforts, the small company closed by the time of the Great Depression. The site was acquired in 1930 by the Atlantic Terminal Corporation and most of the
buildings were removed to make way for an oil depot. A few of the odd-shaped buildings with saw tooth roofs still remain on the property of the Sprague Energy
Company which now occupies the site.
| Original Building of Atlantic Dyestuff Survives at the Sprague Oil Terminal, 2003. Photo: Courtesy NH Division of Historical Resources |
| Former Atlantic Dyestuff Site Now Occupied by Sprague Oil Terminal of Newington, NH Photo: 1998-USGS |
References:
1) "War Plant Gone", The Fitchburg Daily Sentinel (Fitchburg, MA), March 6, 1919
2) “Dye Plant Destroyed”, Bridgeport Standard Telegram, March 7, 1919
3) "Notes of the Trade", American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 4, No. 10, March 10, 1919, p. 18
4) "C.H.Stone To Manage Sales for Atlantic", American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 4, No. 20, May 19, 1919, p. 16
5) "Additions To Atlantic Sales Force", American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 5, No. 15, October 13, 1919, p. 7
6) "Atlantic Dyestuff Co.'s Color Nomenclature", American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 6, No. 3, January 19, 1920, p. 21
7) "Atlantic Dyestuff Makes Important Purchase", American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 6, No. 11, March 15, 1920, pp. 16-17
8) "Atlantic Suffers Explosion at Burrage Works", American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 6, No. 25, June 21, 1920, p. 15
9) “New Plant of Atlantic Dyestuff Company”, Chemical Age, Vol. 29, No. 5, May 1921, p. 172
10) Charles H. Stone, “Technical Sales Service to the Dye User”, Chemical Age, Vol. 29, No. 9, September 1921, pp. 351-352
11) “Notes of the Trade”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 5, No. 8, August 25, 1919
12) “Atlantic Duplicates Diamine Green G”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 5, No. 25, December 22, 1919
13) “Atlantic Dyestuff Holds First Annual Salesmen’s Convention”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 7, No. 1, July 19, 1920
14) “Atlantic Dyestuff Co.”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 7, No. 13, September 27, 1920
15) “Atlantic Sulphur Black”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 7, No. 15, October 11, 1920
16) “Atlantic Dyestuff Publishes Its Annual Statement”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 9, No. 4, July 25, 1921
17) “Atlantic To Start Shipments of Patent Black From New Portsmouth Works on Jan. 1”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 9,
No. 24, December 12, 1921
18) “Atlantic Announces Atlantole Wool Blue S”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 10, No. 8, April 10, 1922, p. 288
19) “Atlantic Adds H.C. Brown to Sales Force”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 10, No. 11, May 22, p. 380
20) “American-Made Colors”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 11, No. 11, November 20, 1922, p. 373-377
21) “American-Made Colors”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 11, No. 12, December 4, 1922, p. 411-413
22) “Atlantic Names W.R. Smith As Southern Manager”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 12, No. 18, August 27, 1923, p. 620
23) American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 14, No. 1, January January 26, 1925, p. 63
24) "War Village Sale", The New York Times, April 12, 1925
25) “Old Shipyard”, Portsmouth Herald, June 14, 1972
26) Gail Pare, Newington Historian, personal communication, March 8, 2005
27) "Student Chemical Affiliates To Meet", The Portland (Maine) Press Herald, May 3, 1948
28) "Sprague Energy Area Form", New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources, 2005
ColorantsHistory.Org is grateful for the research assistance of Nicole Luongo Cloutier, Special Collection Librarian of the Portsmouth Public Library. We thank
Joyce McKay of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation for supplying valuable information and photos about the site.
1) "War Plant Gone", The Fitchburg Daily Sentinel (Fitchburg, MA), March 6, 1919
2) “Dye Plant Destroyed”, Bridgeport Standard Telegram, March 7, 1919
3) "Notes of the Trade", American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 4, No. 10, March 10, 1919, p. 18
4) "C.H.Stone To Manage Sales for Atlantic", American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 4, No. 20, May 19, 1919, p. 16
5) "Additions To Atlantic Sales Force", American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 5, No. 15, October 13, 1919, p. 7
6) "Atlantic Dyestuff Co.'s Color Nomenclature", American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 6, No. 3, January 19, 1920, p. 21
7) "Atlantic Dyestuff Makes Important Purchase", American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 6, No. 11, March 15, 1920, pp. 16-17
8) "Atlantic Suffers Explosion at Burrage Works", American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 6, No. 25, June 21, 1920, p. 15
9) “New Plant of Atlantic Dyestuff Company”, Chemical Age, Vol. 29, No. 5, May 1921, p. 172
10) Charles H. Stone, “Technical Sales Service to the Dye User”, Chemical Age, Vol. 29, No. 9, September 1921, pp. 351-352
11) “Notes of the Trade”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 5, No. 8, August 25, 1919
12) “Atlantic Duplicates Diamine Green G”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 5, No. 25, December 22, 1919
13) “Atlantic Dyestuff Holds First Annual Salesmen’s Convention”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 7, No. 1, July 19, 1920
14) “Atlantic Dyestuff Co.”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 7, No. 13, September 27, 1920
15) “Atlantic Sulphur Black”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 7, No. 15, October 11, 1920
16) “Atlantic Dyestuff Publishes Its Annual Statement”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 9, No. 4, July 25, 1921
17) “Atlantic To Start Shipments of Patent Black From New Portsmouth Works on Jan. 1”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 9,
No. 24, December 12, 1921
18) “Atlantic Announces Atlantole Wool Blue S”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 10, No. 8, April 10, 1922, p. 288
19) “Atlantic Adds H.C. Brown to Sales Force”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 10, No. 11, May 22, p. 380
20) “American-Made Colors”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 11, No. 11, November 20, 1922, p. 373-377
21) “American-Made Colors”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 11, No. 12, December 4, 1922, p. 411-413
22) “Atlantic Names W.R. Smith As Southern Manager”, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 12, No. 18, August 27, 1923, p. 620
23) American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 14, No. 1, January January 26, 1925, p. 63
24) "War Village Sale", The New York Times, April 12, 1925
25) “Old Shipyard”, Portsmouth Herald, June 14, 1972
26) Gail Pare, Newington Historian, personal communication, March 8, 2005
27) "Student Chemical Affiliates To Meet", The Portland (Maine) Press Herald, May 3, 1948
28) "Sprague Energy Area Form", New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources, 2005
ColorantsHistory.Org is grateful for the research assistance of Nicole Luongo Cloutier, Special Collection Librarian of the Portsmouth Public Library. We thank
Joyce McKay of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation for supplying valuable information and photos about the site.
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| Newington Shipyard Workers ca. 1916 Site Acquired by Atlantic Dyestuff for New Plant Photo: City of Newington |
| Atlantic Dyestuff Company Boston, Massachusetts |
ColorantsHistory.Org
| Ames Building-ca. 1900 1 Court Street, Boston Home Office of Atlantic Dyestuff Company Click to Enlarge Photos |
| USS-7 Submarine Commissioned July 1920 Toured by Staff of Atlantic Dyestuff. Photo: US Navy. Click to Enlarge. |
|
| Amoskeag Mill and Workers, Manchester, New Hampshire-1909 Possibly Supplied with Dyes of Atlantic Dyestuff. Photo: Library of Congress. Click to Enlarge. |
Industries on Piscataqua River Near Portsmouth-1906
