New London

New London, a port of entry of Connecticut, is on the right bank of the river Thames, 3 miles from Long Island Sound, 51 by rail E. of New Haven, and 126 NNE. of New York, with which it has a daily steamboat communication. It has a court-house, a brown-stone city hall, and a granite custom-house. The manufactures include woollens, sewing-silk, agricultural machinery, hardware, and crackers (Anglicé, biscuits); fruit-canning also is carried on. The harbour (30 feet deep) is one of the best in the United States, and many vessels engaged in the coasting trade, and in sealing or fishing, are owned here. On the left bank of the river is a United States navy yard; and there are two forts here, though no longer effective. New London was settled in 1645, and in 1781 was burned by Benedict Arnold. Pop. (1850) 8991; (1890) 13,759.