| From the Wilmington Journal |
| November 22, 1861 |
| |
| Report of Superintendent |
| Office Gen'l Sup't W. & M. R.
R. {General Superintendent,
Wilmington & Manchester RR} |
| Wilmington, N. C., Oct. 1st, 1861 |
| |
| T. D. Walker, Esq., President |
| |
| Sir, |
| My fifth Annual Report of the
operations of this Road for year just closed, is herewith respectfully
submitted: |
| The usual tabular statements,
showing details in the various departments, are hereto appended. |
| The gross revenue of the Road
has been made up as follows, viz: |
| Receipts |
from |
Through travel |
$189,127.37 |
| " |
" |
Way " |
57,855.78 |
| " |
" |
Freight and Minor Sources |
181,622.57 |
| " |
" |
Mail |
44,858.13 |
|
Total |
|
$473,463.85 |
|
Expenditures |
|
214,522.25 |
| Showing an increase in
nett results of |
$39,253.28 |
| |
|
|
|
| Abstract of Statement
D. exhibits |
|
| An increase from
Through travel of |
$59,265.92 |
| A decrease from Way
travel |
25,068.55 |
| "
" " Freight and Minor Sources |
23,759.17 |
| "
" " Mails |
6,432.87 |
|
| Or an increase in the general
business over previous year of $4,005.33. |
| The number of Through
Passengers carried during the year has been 38,090 1/2, being 12,726
more than were carried the year preceding, or in increase of 50 per
cent. in heads. |
| The number of Way Passengers
has been 44,677 1/2, or a decrease in heads of 21,359. |
| The pending political troubles
explain these results. The increase of Through travel being due to the
transportation of troops, while the decrease in Way travel has
doubtless been occasioned by the general interruption of business, and
large number of enlistments in the public service from the country
contiguous to the line of the Road. Reference to Statement B. in the
last four months of the fiscal year will clearly exemplify this
conclusion. |
| The freighting business has
been depressed throughout the year, and shows a large decrease,
consequent upon the complete prostration of the Naval Store trade and
other operations connected with the interior productions. |
| An accumulation of Naval
Stores and other produce has taken place in the country tributary to
the Road, which will be offered for transportation as soon as our
commercial ports are opened and trade revives. This will furnish
active business for the Road during the period of several months, and
afford ample opportunity in meantime for an energetic resumption of
the industrial pursuits of the interior. The exhausted supplies in the
country must be replenished, and thereby good return freights will be
secured. |
| Notwithstanding the large
number of passengers moved, the many extra trains required for
transportation of troops, and the consequent irregularity, no accident
of serious character, involving life or limb, has occurred, excepting
the single instance of a soldier, who, contrary to the admonitions and
warnings of the Conductor persisted in riding on top of the car, and
was killed in passing through a bridge. |
| In this continued immunity
from painful accident we have cause for gratulation and renewed
thankfulness. |
| The Roadway, Track and Bridges
are in good and safe condition. Every reasonable precaution has been
taken and will be continued to secure the track and roadway for
winter's use. The ditches and embankments have received more than
usual care and attention, and 48,000 cross-ties renewed. |
| Early last winter one hundred
tons of new rail (American manufacture,) was laid in main track, with
approved chairs. |
| A contract has been made for
the immediate delivery of one hundred and fifty tons of English rail
in exchange for old iron, which will be laid down as soon as received. |
| To maintain the track
thoroughly, it will be desirable to lay down some 300 additional tons
of new rail the ensuing year, and to select the best of the old rails
so displaced to be cut off and re-welded in longer bars, a process
which may especially recommend itself in the absence of new supplies
or the great difficulty in getting the old iron re-rolled. |
| Cross Ties and other similar
materials for Track, Bridges and Trestles are likely to be offered in
abundance at reduced prices. |
| Livingston Bridge has been
re-built and newly housed. |
| Finding it necessary to
re-build the bridge at Lynch's Creek, I have constructed new side
track and arranged for permanent foundations and abutments of masonry.
A single span, 10 ft. longer than the old bridge, will be substituted
for the three short spans originally built. This will give a clear
water vent in the channel of Creek, which at times is subject to
capricious and dangerous floods. The East abutment of the old Bridge
had become partially undermined and could scarcely have withstood the
effects of another season's freshets. Piled foundations have been put
down for the abutments, and the masonry is now being executed. The
superstructure is framed and ready to be raised whenever the abutments
are finished. The entire structure, when completed, will be the most
substantial and permanent of its kind. |
| The renewal of the bridge at
Great Pee Dee, anticipated in my last report, but not deemed urgent
before next spring or summer, will complete the re-construction of all
the Bridges on the line, and render this department of the Road
comparatively inexpensive for many years to come. |
| The motive power has, in
consequence of the difficulty in procuring new parts and materials for
ordinary repairs, somewhat deteriorated, and for the present fewer
Engines can be maintained in thorough working order than at the date
of my last report. it was moreover expected, about this time, to make
an addition of two new Engines to the stock, which would have
furnished relief to old Engines and afford time for executing the work
of repairs. Three of the best Engines are, however, now in shop and
will be repaired and again in service by the expiration of some few
weeks. Materials have also been ordered for the renewal of two others.
Continued exertions will be made to put the old stock in good working
order. Notwithstanding increased expenses may be shown in this
department, in effecting renewal of some of the Engines, the Road can
thereby be placed upon a secure and independent footing, and maintain
a fair operating capacity, apart from foreign purchases of new motive
power. |
| The stock of Cars for
passengers is ample for ordinary demands, improved, as it will be in a
short time, by the addition of two large and commodious coaches now
being built in the Company's shop. |
| The stock of Freight Cars is
still greatly deficient, and requires an addition of at least thirty
Cars -- which should be built whenever the materials for Trucks can be
procured. |
| Construction has been charged
with expenditures amounting to $40,313.84, the principal items in
which are $7,910.76 for completion of Engine House, $14,524.68 for a
new Wharf and foundations for Ware House, and $9,517.63 for Trestle
Filling. |
| By an accident to the roof of
the Engine House, we are deprived temporarily of the shelter so much
wanted for the Engines. The pantentees and contractors were under an
obligation to replace the roof, and the new works was well advanced in
their shops when the blockade interposed and prevented its shipment. |
| The new and extensive wharf,
alluded to in my last report as having been commenced, was completed
early in April, and affords evidence of the skill and reliability of
the contractor. |
| The Trestle filling in Great
Pee Dee swamp has been continued, with a force of 35 hands, during the
greater portion of the year. This work was commenced early in the
fiscal year, and some 2,100 lineal feet have been embanked. |
| A new and comfortable Ware
House, containing Ticket office and Passenger room, has been built at
Nichols' depot, and new Tank Houses at Grist's and Maxwell's. |
| The officers and employees
generally are commended for their ready assistance and close attention
to duty. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| J. P. Robertson, Gen'l Sup't |