| From the Raleigh Register |
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| January 25, 1862 |
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| Connection of the Mineral Region of Deep River with the
Central Railroad |
| We feel constrained to call the attention
of the public once more, and especially the Convention, to the
important measure of connecting the mineral region of Deep River with
the Central Railroad {the North Carolina RR}. |
| To many it may appear inexpedient, and
indeed, as one out of the question at a time when the people are
pressed so heavily with expenses to sustain the war. But before we
allow this plausible objection to deter us from the measure, let us
look at it in the relations with this measure bears to the public
interests at this time. While it has been for years one of great
importance to North Carolina, and should have been undertaken ere
this, it will be found on examination to bear deeply not only upon
State interests, but also upon the interests of the Confederate
States. In the first place, then, the Deep River is the only
accessible region upon the Atlantic slope which furnishes coal
suitable for propelling steam boats and especially war steamers. Coals
occur at other locations, it is true, but for purposes of commerce,
where speed and power are essential to the preservation of life and
property, coals must posses certain characteristics in a marked
degree. These characteristics are, the ability to ignite quickly, to
sustain a rapid and perfect combustion for a long time comparatively,
or, in other words, to generate steam with great rapidity. It is in
these respects that the Coal of Deep River becomes so important to the
navy of the Confederate States. Many suppose that coal is coal anyhow,
but this view is not exactly true. Coals of different regions differ
materially. The same weight of coal from one place will not make as
much steam in a given time as another. Hence the importance of
selecting those coals for steamers which possess the greatest steam
generating power, and it is fortunate that the Deep River Coal ranks
among the best in this country in this respect. It is scarcely
necessary to say, in this connection, that the preservation of life
and millions of dollars frequently depends on the speed of a steamer.
All steamers may, in consequence of a want of sufficient steam, be
lost in a storm which they might have escaped had their speed been
quickened so as to reach a port before they were overtaken; eve the
increase in progress of one mile per hour would have been amply
sufficient to have saved it from being lost in a storm. A vessel or
steamer which is supplied with an indifferent coal, in pursuing an
enemy, falls astern; or, if pursued, becomes a prize to the enemy in
consequence solely of a want of steam. It is not simply, then, one
which recognizes the existence of coal upon Deep River that we bring
forward the measure at this time; it is upon the excellence of this
coal as a steam producing agent that we base the necessity of the
measure proposed. If what we assert is true, it follows that
notwithstanding the heavy pressure of debt, it becomes really a matter
of economy to furnish better and more ample means to get this coal to
our sea-board than those which now exist. We might also enumerate the
many uses to which this coal is put, or for which it is required --
especially for generating gas, and for the use of the mechanic -- and
the statement of how much more work can be done by its use than by
charcoal, etc. But we will allude only to these facts. |
| The foregoing reasons for increasing the
facilities for getting this coal to market are not all which may be
stated upon this subject. This region is not one which produces coal
only. It is equally important in its numerous beds or deposits of iron
ore, all of which are valuable in themselves, but become more so in
consequence of the advantages which they possess for mixing, by which
different qualities of iron may be produced. To the foregoing may be
added the fact that the several beds of ore are large, and may be
mixed at costs comparatively trifling, diminishing thereby the expense
of manufacture. But we may take the same high ground with respect to
the ores of iron as we have taken with respect to the coal. It is
the quality of the iron they are capable of producing -- an iron
adapted to the manufacture of fire-arms, heavy ordnance, and boiler
plate. For example, the Buckhorn ore has been drawn down from a
rough bloom made in the Catalan forge at one heat, into a bar
three-fourths of an inch in diameter, and then into thin hoop iron;
showing a toughness rarely equaled. A test equally decisive has been
made with the iron produced recently at the Tyser place. These are the
kinds of iron required at this time for special purposes, growing out
of the conflict in which we are engaged. We have to make our own
boiler-plate, our heavy ordnance, and our railroad iron, the two
former demanding the best material. From the foregoing, we see a great
field opening for the manufacture of iron connected with necessities
for action at this time, which cannot, as we believe, be disregarded. |
| But again, it is necessary to state in
this connection the fact that measures are being taken to manufacture
iron upon an extensive scale upon Deep River. Government has already
made contracts with parties to furnish some forty thousand tons of
iron in the shape of pig, bloom, shot and shell. The Government of the
Confederate States thus inaugurates a business destined to become a
permanent one, the advantages of which cannot be too highly estimated
at this time. By the necessities of a Government struggling with
difficulties, the first and most important of all manufactures will be
placed on a firm footing, and a business be established which in a few
years will necessarily fill the valley of Deep River with industrious
inhabitants, and thereby become one of the wealthiest parts of North
Carolina. But in order to give even a countenance to Government in
this undertaking, the State, it seems to us, cannot do less than build
a road from Page's to Haywood as speedily as possible; to a point
which will be connected with the coal beds by water. From Page's to
Haywood it is about 20 miles, and from Haywood to Egypt it is 15 by
road. Now, if the distance was one hundred miles, the advantages of a
railroad would justify the measure. -- But we see that it is really
but a small affair, and yet it has been hanging by the gills for
several years, having been the topic of much conversation and a good
deal of inefficient legislation. We believe if such an opportunity for
the judicious expenditure of money existed in Liberia, a road would be
at once built; as we might say, though we admit with some
exaggeration, that in the present state of communication, it is about
as easy to get to Liberia as it is to get to Egypt. However this may
be, it is plain enough that if this region is to become necessarily
one of business, one of resort, there must be furnished railway
facilities for getting there from the Capital of the State. -- But it
seems to us to be a measure which the State must cheerfully execute as
speedily as possible, for the reason that a vast amount of
manufactured material must be brought out for the Confederate
Government, and it certainly is in duty bound, after having, as it
were, provided the means for establishing permanent works there, to do
so much as a State to insure both a speedy and cheap transportation to
points where the manufactured materials are wanted. The State is a
party interested in the measure, for by this short link of a road, her
own investments in road in operation will be increased in value. |
| In conclusion, we may with much truth,
advocate this measure as a peach as well as a war measure. If it is a
war necessity, it is not difficult to see that it also tends to peace.
In this view, no State possesses so may peach elements as North
Carolina. But they must be brought out. What is the use of coal and
iron, if they must be hauled to market on wagons, or take long,
circuitous routes? The cost of hauling, together with the time
consumed, eats up all the profits, or neutralizes all the advantages
which might be derived from their possession. They may as well be
locked up in the bowels of the earth, as to encounter the expense and
delay of ordinary transits to market. We say it is a peace measure,
because it will better prepare the government for carrying out the
war. The region of Deep river, though not easily accessible, now may
be made so; and so far as the Atlantic States are concerned, it is
central -- it is strictly Metropolitan, and in the establishment of
foundries there, it accommodates, so far as position is concerned, all
this part of the Confederacy. |
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