| Annual Report of the South Carolina RR |
| as of January 1, 1863, |
| Superintendent's Report |
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| Report of the General Superintendent
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| South Carolina R. R. Co. |
| Charleston, December 31, 1862 |
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To the President and Directors of the South Carolina Railroad Company
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Gentlemen,
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I have now the honor of submitting to you my Eighth
Annual Report as your General Superintendent.
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Upon reference to the Statements and Tables from the
Auditor's Department, it will be seen that the Earnings from all
sources for the past year reached the very large aggregate of
$1,840,214, exceeding by over $240,000 the highest figures of annual
income. As contrasted with 1861, an increase is shown equal to 58.40
per cent. of the earnings of that year, though it should be borne in
mind, however, that during the greater portion of that period the
demands of the Government on the Road for Transportation were
exceedingly light, while this year the accounts in that quarter form
very nearly thirty per cent. of the entire receipts from Passage and
Freight.
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The several items of the earnings of 1862 are in about
the following proportions:
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Passage |
53.7 |
per cent. |
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Freight |
43.9 |
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Mails |
1.7 |
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Minor sources |
{.}7 |
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100 |
" |
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Without intending to refer to the causes which have
tended to produce such gratifying results, it might be as well,
perhaps, not to omit to state the fact that a slight modification of
our Freight tariff in September last, reducing all classifications to
the local basis, has, doubtless, not failed in having its intended
effect for the short time it has been in operation. This change, so
imperatively demanded by the necessities of the times, might have been
made to contribute much more largely to the earnings, and at an
earlier period, but for a desire to avoid as long as possible
increasing the already greatly enhanced cost of transportation of many
of the necessaries of life, and would not have been adopted at all
except as a measure of self-defence against the rapidly increasing
cost of labor and supplies of every character.
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The Operating Expenses of the Road are but $91,000 in
excess of those of 1861, while the ratio to the earnings are but 36.90
per cent., thus making them 13.77 per cent. less than last year.
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This reduction is entirely owing to the impossibility
that has been experienced, and still exists, of adequately supplying
our several departments to the full extent of their wants and
requirements, and it must not be regarded in anywise as the result of
any unusual attempt at economical management. Those wants still
continue large, but it is not possible, at this moment, as it has
often been the case during the year, to supply many of them at any
price, and but for this circumstance it would not be permitted us to
present an apparently so favorable exhibit in the cost of operating.
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The great difficulty of procuring materials and supplies
(often of the most ordinary description), which we have had to
encounter at almost every step, has necessarily rendered the service
of the Transportation department unusually hard and perplexing, and it
is not presumed that its work has at all times been performed with
that promptness and expedition with which it might have been done had
it not been at times crippled in its means and frequently but scantily
supplied in important particulars. The year has closed, it is true,
showing a very handsome yield, and to all appearances leaving our
property in about as good condition as it was at the commencement; but
to place too much reliance upon these appearances, would be to deceive
ourselves into a belief of our ability to meet demands in the future
to which it is impossible we can prove equal, without a commensurate
improvement in our resources of supply.
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Our repairing forces both in the Locomotive and Car shops
have been kept constantly at work, and no effort has been spared to
keep our Rolling stock ready for all emergencies; but in spite of our
utmost exertions, it would at times fall short of expectations, and
expose us to the charge of unpreparedness and inefficiency.
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By reference to table No. 8, it will be seen that no
additions have been made to the Motive power since 1860,and that there
are now remaining of the number reported on the 31st of December of
that year 63, the average term of whose service is nearly eight years.
Frequent and often times extensive repairs have been required by a
large proportion of this stock, and it is rather a matter of surprise
that with our restricted means and curtailed facilities it has been
preserved to the present time in a condition of comparative
efficiency.
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In this connection it is proper to state that our entire
available repairing force could not at all times be confined to the
legitimate objects of its employment, on account of the important and
pressing wants of the Government for the construction of work which we
considered ourselves under the highest obligations to undertake
whenever required. This circumstance, together with the great
difficulty of readily procuring our usual supply of materials, and the
removal of a portion of our tools and machinery to the new shops in
Columbia, unavoidably prevented our bestowing entire attention and
concentration of skill and labor upon our own immediate interests.
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The Shops in Columbia are approaching completion, that is
to say, the section of the plan which it is contemplated to carry out
as it may become requisite. The portion referred to as nearly finished
is a building of brick 140 feet in length by 60 feet wide, comprising
all the necessary appointments of a complete repairing and finishing
shop, furnished with tools partly from our works in this city, and
some from recent purchase. This establishment when in full operation
will materially contribute to our relief, and afford us increased
facilities for the reparation of our engines.
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Our car power has to a measurable extent, suffered the
same fate that has overtaken our Motive power, and principally for the
same causes. The necessity of permitting our trains at times to pass
into the hands of other Companies has frequently embarrassed our
operations and inflicted serious inconveniences. It was not, however,
to be avoided, and the emergencies of the occasions consequently
enforced submission. Tables Nos. 6 and 7 set forth the particulars of
the stock on hand at the close of the year.
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It will require constant and unremitting attention to
keep it up to a full state of efficiency, and in doing so there is no
reason to apprehend at present more difficulties than we already have
had to contend with.
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With some respite from outside orders it would be
possible to effect this object easily, and probably add to the stock
15 or 20 cars the ensuing year; and by employing an extra construction
force, probably put on the Road at least 100, which is about the
number needed to bring up the stock to a business equal to that of the
past year.
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With Motive and Car Power somewhat impaired, the Road
department has experienced that kind and degree of injury always
arising from such a cause. To no serious extent, however, have
injuries been inflicted, and it is a fortunate circumstance for us,
that notwithstanding all the drawbacks we have encountered in the
transportation of so many human beings, and such an immense amount of
tonnage during the past year, this department has suffered
comparatively so little.
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The Road be and Superstructure are in a very good state
of repair, and the condition of the Rails is generally much better
than might have been expected under existing circumstances. Renewals,
however, in many localities are very necessary, and should be effected
at the earliest possible moment. It was our good fortune to procure a
small quantity of Rail iron, of a pattern somewhat heavier than our
own, which has been put down upon the track where most needed to the
extent of about 10 miles.
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The great difficulty experienced in procuring a supply of
certain materials of indispensable necessity has been regarded as
sufficient authority for the adoption of any available channel through
which to procure them. Accordingly a contract has been made upon
favorable terms with a party considered responsible for their
procurement, and it is hoped that relief in this respect is not far
distant.
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It is respectfully recommended that authority be given to
procure as early as they can be had, 10 Locomotives, 100 Cars, and
3,000 tons or Rail iron, and such a supply of materials for all
departments as will afford us exemption, at least for a year to come,
from the straightened condition through which we have been struggling
for some time past.
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It is particularly due to the Officers in charge of the
several departments that I should express my sense of obligation to
them for the intelligence and ability with which they have upon all
occasions, and often under the most trying circumstances, conducted
their important operations; and it is with much pleasure that I again
avail myself of the usual medium, to bear public testimony to the
unremitting devotion to the company's interests, and of placing on
record my appreciation of the praiseworthy efforts of the employees
generally, in the faithful performance of their always arduous, and
oftentimes dangerous duties.
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All of which is submitted,
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H. T. Peake
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General Superintendent
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