| Annual Report of the Cheraw &
Darlington RR |
| as of September 1, 1861, |
| Superintendent's Report |
| |
| Superintendent's Office Cheraw &
Darlington R. R. |
| Cheraw, August 31, 1861 |
| |
|
Col. Allan Macfarlan
|
| President |
| |
| Sir, |
|
The following Report of the operations of the departments
of the Road under my supervision during the past year, is respectfully
submitted:
|
|
The receipts of the year, namely, $41,336.43, have been
derived from the following sources:
|
| From 11,406 Passengers per Mail Train |
$11,755.90 |
| "
4,257
"
" Accom'd do |
4,085.32 |
|
" Up Freights |
14,258.38 |
|
" Down Freights |
9,133.67 |
|
" Post-office Department |
2,103.16 |
| The amount expended by
the Treasurer, viz: $32,656.16, has been thus distributed: |
| For Repairs of Road |
$11,374.16 |
|
"
" " Machinery |
9,464.60 |
|
"
" " Cars |
2,195.47 |
| "
Conducting Transportation |
7,950.48 |
| "
Officer's Salaries and Office Expenses |
1,671.45 |
| Leaving as net Revenue |
$8,680.27 |
|
|
In comparing this exhibit with the corresponding
statements made last year, it will be seen that while the amount
expended in conducting the business of the Road has been reduced
$3,377.29, there has been a falling off in the net income of
$9,661.06. This unfavorable result, it is scarcely necessary for me to
say, is owing entirely to the political condition of the country; and
while the war continues, it were vain to indulge the hope of brighter
prospects. Your supervising officers can only, in the exercise of a
prudent economy, limit the expenditures of the Road, and as far as
possible make them conform to its diminished income. To this end their
thoughts are constantly directed, and no opportunity is neglected
calculated to lead to that result. The question of income is one, in a
great measure, governed by circumstances beyond their control, and one
which no amount of personal effort, anxiety or reflection can along
improve.
|
|
It is proper in this connection to state that the amount
reported as expended by the treasurer for conducting the business does
not represent the actual cost of operating the Road, but only such
amount as has been paid during the year, embracing the debts of
preceding years and excluding the unpaid amount of $8,938.96,
incurred during the present.
|
|
The accompanying Tables will exhibit detailed information
under the following heads:
|
| No. 1 |
An Abstract of Receipts for the Year |
| No. 2 |
A Comparative Statement of Receipts for 1859,
'60 and '61 |
| No. 3 |
A Comparative Statement of Monthly Receipts of
Cotton , Naval Stores, etc., for 1859, '60, and '61 |
| No. 4 |
The performance and condition of Locomotives |
|
|
From these Tables the following facts are gleaned:
|
| Number of Passengers carried over the Road |
15,662 |
|
" " Bales
of Cotton "
"
" |
22,449 |
|
" "
Bbls. Naval Stores
"
" |
9,689 |
|
" "
Sacks of
Flour
"
" |
5,175 |
| Decrease in number of Passengers this year |
2,398 |
|
"
" Bales of Cotton
" " |
7,970 |
|
"
" Bbls. Naval Stores "
" |
16,021 |
|
"
" Sacks of Four
" " |
5,333 |
|
|
The Road is in much better condition than at the date of
my last annual report, owing to the fact that 13,338 new cross-ties
have been used in repairs, while at the same time the necessary amount
of earth-work in ditching and widening embankments has been performed.
The rails as yet seem unimpaired. There are still about ten miles
requiring new ties -- a large portion of which will be replaced during
the coming year. The trestles have been recently thoroughly overhauled
-- upwards of 25,000 feet of new timber having been used in repairs --
and are now not only safe, but also in sound condition. The cramped
state of the Company's means forbade my carrying out the intention of
filling more of this work. Although very desirable, I do not
anticipate any further improvements in this direction while the
Company's funds are required to meet more pressing necessities.
|
|
The Machinery, I am happy to report, is in a very
efficient condition. The engines have all been put up in complete
order, and, I have reason to hope, will require but little outlay to
keep them up to their present standard during the ensuing year.
|
|
The cars have not received as much attention as they
might possibly need, if the business of the Road were undisturbed, but
as little service is required of them, the expense of renewing them
will be delayed until such time as the usual operations of the Road
are resumed.
|
|
In the Transportation Department -- in all its branches
-- the employees of the Company have evinced their devotion to its
interests. No accident of any serious nature has occurred.
|
|
Respectfully submitted,
|
|
S. S. Solomons
|
|
Supt.
|
|