| From the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph |
| |
| February 15, 1861 |
| |
| Engineer's Report |
| Office of Macon & Brunswick Railroad
Co. |
| Engineer's Department, Feb'y 1, 1861 |
| |
| A. E. Cochran, Esq., President |
|
| Sir, |
| The construction of your Road
has been moderately, but steadily, progressing during the last year,
and we now have about twenty miles of track laid from Macon, and the
grading of the Northern Division completed to Shellstone Creek, a
distance of nearly 29 1/2 miles. It is expected that we shall reach
Buzzard Roost with the track -- 25 miles -- and form the boat
connection to Hawkinsville and Savannah, about the 1st day of March.
This connection will prove serviceable to the country back of
Hawkinsville, which, on account of the short crop, is looking to the
West for supplies; and it is also thought that considerable through
business will be secured by this route between Macon and Savannah. |
| The entire Southern Division,
except 2 miles of very light work, is graded ready for the track. |
| The remaining portion of the
Northern Division and the recently located Hawkinsville Branch, is all
under contract to responsible parties, to be completed during the
coming summer. The total expenditures under the supervision of this
Department, up to the present, are as follows: |
| Grading -- Northern Division |
$93,608.84 |
|
"
Southern " |
48,568.39 |
| Bridge Masonry |
6,490.00 |
| Superstructure (exclusive of Iron) |
28,566.00 |
| Bridging and Trestle |
19,403.48 |
| Water Stations |
194.19 |
| Engineer Department |
12,483.58 |
| Rolling Stock |
11,000.00 |
| Total |
$220,314.48 |
|
| It will be seen, by reference
to the following table, that we are effecting a liberal savings in
cost on the former estimate, which, considering the times, is not an
ungratifying feature. |
|
A Table |
| Shewing the value of Grading, Masonry,
Bridging and Tracklaying, compared with the former Estimate; and
exhibiting the Work Done and to be Done, and the amount of Stock
embraced in the several Contracts |
| Contractors |
Value of Work |
Amount of Stock
Embrac'd in the Contract |
| Totals |
Now Done |
To Be Done |
Left for the Future |
| Former |
Present |
| Northern Divis. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dean & Ralston |
29,400.00 |
27,421.78 |
27,421.78 |
|
|
6,355.44 |
| Rob't Collins & Co. |
55,283.00 |
49,267.06 |
49,267.06 |
|
|
12,016.76 |
| S. Collins & Co. |
60,625.00 |
51,818.48 |
29,303.48 |
22,515.00 |
|
12,704.62 |
| Absalom Powell |
4,500.00 |
6,490.00 |
6,490.00 |
|
|
1,622.50 |
| J. H. Andrews |
54,740.00 |
5,697.00 |
5,697.00 |
|
|
1,899.00 |
| Josey & Williams |
8,000.00 |
7,773.00 |
|
|
2,576.67 |
| L. W. Stewart |
7,858.00 |
|
7,858.00 |
|
2,619.33 |
| Andrews & Mimus |
29,507.33 |
|
29,507.33 |
|
9,835.78 |
| Wm. R. Phillips |
|
3,450.00 |
3,450.00 |
|
|
1,150.00 |
| Gravel Train |
|
1,500.00 |
|
1,500.00 |
6,000.00 |
|
| Total |
$204,548.00 |
191,009.65 |
129,402.32 |
61,607.33 |
6,000.00 |
50,780.10 |
| Hawkinsville Br. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| W. R. Phillips & Co. |
|
38,250.00 |
|
38,250.00 |
|
12,750.00 |
| Merritt, Tooke & S. |
|
26,600.00 |
|
26,600.00 |
|
8,866.67 |
| Merritt & Co. |
|
10,000.00 |
|
10,000.00 |
|
3,333.33 |
| Total |
|
$74,850.00 |
|
74,850.00 |
|
24,950.00 |
| Southern Divis. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rob't Collins & Co. |
21,400.00 |
12,521.00 |
10,721.00 |
1,800.00 |
8,000.00 |
3,130.00 |
| James Houston |
35,100.00 |
32,503.00 |
32,503.00 |
|
2,000.00 |
10,834.00 |
| Maynehan & Bro. |
6,970.00 |
5,925.00 |
5,925.00 |
|
|
1,975.00 |
| S. Collins & Co. |
20,063.00 |
20,063.00 |
|
20,063.00 |
|
5,016.00 |
| Total |
$83,533.00 |
71,012.39 |
49,149.00 |
21,863.00 |
10,000.00 |
20,955.00 |
|
| In addition to the saving in
quantities for final grades, I propose, as shown in the table, to make
some retrenchments by temporary, but slight, modifications of grades,
in instances where it will neither affect the present business, nor
incur increased expense in the final completion of the Road. This
reduction is partly made at the approaches of the Ocmulgee Bridge, and
partly by reducing a long bank in Beaverdam Valley -- all of which may
hereafter be done, with a construction train, and while raising the
bank, also enlarge and improve the cuts. We have already been
advantageously working upon this plan. To expedite the laying of track
over Dean & Ralston's work, we thought it expedient to scant the
banks, and finish the grading with a gravel train. Also on account of
the great difficulty of getting material for the bank in Denson's
Marsh, we laid the track over unfinished grading and have since done
the work with a train. We have in this way raised the track all
through the River Swamp, with selected materials from the uplands, and
are getting a firm roadway, which would have been quite impossible
upon the Swamp clay of which the banks were constructed. By exposure
to the Fall and Winter rains and freshets, all of the banks
constructed of this material have settled and contracted very
materially making still further raising necessary in places; and to
cover this expense, I have made due allowance in the estimate herewith
submitted. This gravel train work has been done under a contract with
Wm. R. Phillips, Esq., and one third payment made in Stock -- the
Company furnishing and working the train. |
| When it is considered that we
have enlarged our cuts and made room for side tracks at the Junction
with the other Roads, and also put selected material under the track
through the River Swamp -- accomplishing the whole at about the same
cost per yard as the original contract price for bank -- we may regard
the arrangement as advantageous to the work. |
|
Superstructure |
| The Superstructure, while in
the aggregate approximating closely the former estimate, differs in
the cost of its items. We met with unlooked-for difficulty in the
purchase of Timber and Cross-ties; and because of the very high price
we are having to pay for the latter, are using a less number than was
estimated for. This reduction, together with a saving in the cost of
Iron, maintains about the same aggregate cost per mile for
Superstructure as the former estimate. |
|
Estimates |
| The total estimate of the
Northern Division, ready for the Rolling stock, now stands at
$403,584.00, against $420,172.00 last year -- a decrease of
$16,588.00. To this, however, should be added the Right of Way and
Cost of Furniture, which did not appear in last estimate; the first
having been overlooked, because of its expected insignificance at the
time -- and the latter having been embraced in the general estimate
for the Road. These items now appear in the estimate for the Division,
making the total $425,323.10; and it is confidently believed that this
estimate will put the Division into operation with very comfortable
facilities for the business, though desirable to have more furniture. |
|
Total Estimate of Northern Division |
| Right of Way |
|
$5,988.45 |
| Grading, Masonry and Bridging (as per Contracts) |
|
170,384.65 |
| Engineering and Contingencies |
|
17,000.00 |
| Superstructure -- 38 miles, embracing Side
tracks complete, @ $5,500 per mile |
|
209,000.00 |
| Buildings and Fixtures -- 1 Turntable |
$1,200.00 |
|
| 3 Water Stations @ $500 |
1,500.00 |
|
| Temporary Depots and
Engine House |
2,000.00 |
|
| Houses for Section men |
1,000.00 |
|
| Switches |
1,500.00 |
7,200.00 |
| Furniture -- 1 Engine |
7,500.00 |
|
| 1 Baggage Car |
750.00 |
|
| 1 Passenger Car |
2,200.00 |
|
| 4 Box Cars @ $650 |
2,600.00 |
|
| 6 Platform Cars @ $450 |
2,700.00 |
15,750.00 |
| Total estimated cost of Northern Division |
|
$425,323.10 |
| Total Estimate of
Hawkinsville Branch |
| Right of Way |
0,000.00 |
|
| Grading, Masonry and Bridging |
74,850.00 |
|
| Engineering and Contingencies |
7,485.00 |
|
| Superstructure -- 10 1/2 miles embracing Side
tracks @ $5,500 per mile |
57,500.00 |
|
| Buildings and Fixtures |
2,000.00 |
$141,835.00 |
| Total from Macon to Hawkinsville |
|
$567,158.10 |
| Recapitulation |
| Estimate -- Middle Division, as per last Report |
1,084,800.00 |
|
|
Southern Division,
" " |
281,640.00 |
|
|
Buildings and Fixtures (Orig. Est.) |
49,000.00 |
|
|
Furniture (Orig. Est.) |
341,100.00 |
|
|
5 miles of Side track (Orig. Est.) |
50,000.00 |
1,756,540.00 |
| Total estimated cost of Road and Branch |
|
$2,323,698.10 |
|
|
Hawkinsville Branch |
| The location is not as yet
fully completed, but enough is known to determine the route and
general characteristics, and to give a close approximation of the
cost. The distance will be approximately ten miles -- the line very
direct and easy, and the grading light. It departs from the main line
near its crossing of the Dublin road, the main line having been sagged
some half a mile nearer to Hawkinsville, for the double purpose of
accommodating the connection, and improving the work for some miles
ahead towards Brunswick -- assuming a tangent bearing slightly to the
left of Hawkinsville it pursues a straight line for eight miles; lying
on the crest of a ridge of remarkably even surface, which divides the
waters of Jourdon's Creek and Double Branch from Limestone creek. The
ridge maintains nearly a uniform elevation to within two or three
miles of Hawkinsville, it then falls rapidly off, and some deviations
from a straight line are necessary in descending to the river flats at
old Hartford, the descent being accomplished by a grade of forty-five
feet to the mile. Some interest is manifested by the citizens of
Hawkinsville as to the location of the bridge, determining as it will
the approach to the town. Without pretending to a very positive
opinion, I will remark that the ground seems most favorable for a
crossing below the ferry, striking the river at right angles and
landing upon a bold rock bluff; thus avoiding much expense for an
abutment on the Hawkinsville side. |
| The present estimate is based
upon this crossing and with the bridge sufficiently elevated to pass
the boats under, except in extreme high river. It is purposed,
however, to make more thorough examinations relative to the crossing,
and grounds for a depot, which we have been prevented from doing on
account of the recent freshets, and also, to consider the propriety of
building a draw bridge in place of the one proposed, if a sufficient
saving may be obtained to compensate for the inconvenience, and the
extra cost of maintaining it, perpetually. |
|
Time of Completion |
| The present contracts have
been made with a view to the early completion to Hawkinsville; in
order to be in readiness for the next crop. There are many
considerations which might be urged in favor of extra effort to
accomplish this end; and as it depends entirely upon the purchase of
iron, it is to be hoped the community to be served will come forward
with the "material aid" in time to secure the benefits to
themselves and the Company of a good road the coming fall. I would
again invite attention to the considerations presented in last year's
report, recommending this enterprise to the confidence of capitalists
and the people of Georgia. If direct trade be the rule in the new
order of things, increased importance will be given to the commercial
facilities offered at Brunswick harbor, and to the superior advantages
of this road to communicate with the wide expanse of the interior,
having commercial intercourse with the Atlantic. |
|
Transportation |
| In the Transportation
Department, we have but little matter to make the subject of report.
Suffice it to say, that early in December, with a view to the public
convenience for visiting the Cotton Planters' Fair, held at this
place, we commenced running an accommodation car in connection with
our construction train employed in the transportation of material for
superstructure, &c. This arrangement has been kept up with but
little intermission to the present time, and I am happy to state, that
while it is a great convenience to the people, who regard it as
indispensable, we are realizing enough to pay the expenses of the
train. The total earnings for fares and freights up to the present,
have been $920.00. As this service is so connected with the
construction, as to render it impracticable for the present to
separate the expenses of the two departments, I think it better to
charge all the expenses of the train to construction, and credit
construction with the earnings, and open no regular transportation
books for the present fiscal year. |
|
Furniture |
| We have a very superior first
class Engine of about eighteen tons weight, which was made to order by
Messrs. Norris & Son, of Philadelphia, Penn. The contract price
being $7000 on shipboard at Philadelphia, and adding freights and
other charges, brings it up to, say $7500. We have also, Cars of good
quality made at Georgia Penitentiary, as follows: |
| 1 Baggage |
$750 |
|
| 1 House |
650 |
|
| 4 Platform at $450 |
1800 |
$3,200 |
| 1 Engine, as above |
|
7,500 |
| Total Furniture |
|
$10,700.00 |
|
| Respectfully submitted, |
| A. N. Rogers, Engineer |
|
Statement of Finances |
|
In the Macon & Brunswick Rail Road Company,
February 1st, 1861 |
| To Capital Stock |
$712,150.00 |
|
By Cash paid for -- |
|
|
|
|
|
Engineer's Department |
$12,806.94 |
|
|
|
|
Incidental Expenses |
741.28 |
|
|
|
|
Salaries of Officers |
4,765.00 |
18,313.22 |
|
|
|
By Cash paid for -- |
|
|
|
|
|
Iron |
95,051.93 |
|
|
|
|
Rolling Stock |
10,340.00 |
|
|
|
|
Grading |
147,757.84 |
|
|
|
|
Superstructure |
28,566.00 |
|
|
|
|
Bridges and Trestle |
25,893.48 |
307,609.25 |
|
|
|
The Assets of the Company consist of -- |
|
|
|
|
|
Bills Receivable |
192,280.10 |
|
|
|
|
Bonds of Macon |
140,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
"
Brunswick |
25,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
Subscription of Contractors |
24,500.00 |
|
|
|
|
Cash, Balance on hand |
4,447.43 |
386,227.53 |
|
$712,150.00 |
|
|
|
$712,150.00 |
|
| A. Dickinson, Treasurer |
|