| From the Wilmington Journal |
| November 25, 1861 |
| |
| President and Director's Report |
| To the Stockholders of the W. & W. R.
R. Co. {Wilmington & Weldon RR}: |
| The President and Directors,
submitting to the Stockholders their Twenty-sixth Annual Report,
cannot refrain from congratulating them on the exhibit of increased
business which has been done during the last year. Our receipts for
the year 1859 were $447,554.65, for 1860, $500209.75, for 1861, we
have the amount of $571,236.24, being greatly more than was ever
received from the operations of the Road. This great increase is more
gratifying from the consideration that it had been forebodingly
predicted that the troubles of the country would prostrate and destroy
all of our business. We have also the further gratification of feeling
a just and patriotic pride, that in the prosecution of our business we
have been able to render to our beloved country great, yes,
inappreciable assistance in repelling from our soil ruthless invaders.
It is impossible to say when the war will terminate, but a just
resentment, which the atrocities practiced by our enemies has incited
throughout the land, forbids the supposition that it will end before
we have established a complete social, commercial and political
independence. This being considered as a fixed fact, we must endeavor
to unveil the future and prepare for its exigencies. |
| Blessed with the return of
peace, our country will immediately teem through its whole length and
breadth with those productions which constitute the basis of
commercial exchanges. Foreign nations must have for their consumption
our surplus productions. From what ports will they be shipped? While
every Southern city will make laudable exertions to command this
business, a survey or the map of the country, taken in connection with
the Rail Roads, some already completed, and others in progress,
clearly points to the Atlantic cities as ports which will command a
large portion of our foreign commerce, invited alike by their
commodious harbors and varied exports. Merchants, not only of the
interior of the country, but of the Atlantic cities, will resort to
these ports to make purchases, and the Atlantic line of Road is thus
destined to become one of our leading avenues of trade and travel, and
wisdom dictates that we should immediately put ourselves in a
condition to command a large share of the business necessarily
incident to the anticipated state of our country. |
| The difficulty of
transportation across the Cape Fear River is one of the greatest
obstacles with which we have to contend. Can it be bridged, and at
what expense? These are questions which have been submitted ot the
respective Engineers of the Wilmington & Weldon and Wilmington
& Manchester Rail Roads, and they have decided that a proper
bridge, with draws of the most approved character, can be constructed
across the two rivers opposite our wharf at a cost not exceeding
$124,000. As the construction of this work will enable the Wilmington,
Charlotte & Rutherford Rail Road Company to come to Wilmington
without the expense of the steam boat transportation which now weighs
heavily on it, we may conclude that Company will bear the principal
burden of constructing this work, leaving for contribution on the part
of this Company a sum the interest on which should be greatly less
than we are now paying for our present inconvenient and exposed ferry
navigation. -- This work completed, we will have a connected Rail Road
communication between Norfolk and the Southern cities, both on the
Atlantic and the Gulf, which will be not only shorter, but more
convenient than any other competing line. In consideration of these
facts we would respectfully recommend to you the appointment of a
committee to consult with the other companies interested, and devise
some common plan by which the work can be done. |
| From the report of the
Treasurer it will be seen that our fiscal condition is good. After
meeting the annual expense of Rail Road operations, reducing our debt
$22,799.84 paying the interest on our debt, and dividing eight per
cent dividend, we yet have on hand a surplus, which is held in
Confederate States bonds, bearing 8 per cent. interest to be hereafter
appropriated to our sinking fund. |
| The punctual payment of the
interest on our debt due in England has ever been regarded by us as a
duty of the highest obligation, and thus far we have never been in
default, but we fear the present difficulty of making remittances may
for a short time place us in a false position with our foreign
creditors. |
| The Report of the Chief
Engineer and Superintendent shows that the Road Way is in good order,
though our rails are much laminated. The heavy freighting business we
have done has been the cause of the unusual amount of this lamination.
By a late arrangement with the "Tredegar Works," at
Richmond, we will very soon be able to remove the worst rails and lay
down new ones. |
| The Legislature, at its last
regular session, chartered a Company to construct a Rail Road from a
point on our Road North of Magnolia to join the Coalfield Road at
Fayetteville, and authorized this Company to take stock therein,
loaning us the State's credit to aid in its construction. We are not
prepared to recommend the acceptance of the charter by this Company,
as the coal may probably be brought to Wilmington by a connection with
the Wilmington, Charlotte & Rutherford Rail Road, and this
connection would impair, if not render worthless, our enterprise; but
as an act of foresight and prudence, it may be politic for our Company
to take such preliminary steps as will prevent the forfeiture of the
privileges conferred. This matter is respectfully referred to the
Stockholders for their consideration. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Wm. S. Ashe, President |
| |
| Report of the Chief Engineer and
Superintendent |
| Wilmington & Weldon Rail Road Company |
| Office Chief Engineer and Superintendent |
| Wilmington, N. C., Nov. 5th, 1861 |
| |
| Hon. W. S. Ashe, President |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have the honor to submit my
Seventh Annual Report of the operations of the Road for the fiscal
year terminating on the 30th of September, 1861: |
| Receipts and Expenditures |
| The gross earnings and receipts for
the fiscal year have been as follows: |
| Receipts |
| Receipts |
from |
Through Passengers |
$195,238.38 |
|
| " |
" |
Way " |
138,786.46 |
|
| " |
" |
Freights |
180,143.76 |
|
| " |
" |
Mails |
41,550.00 |
|
| " |
" |
Miscellaneous sources |
11,517.64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gross |
receipts |
for 1861 |
|
571,236.24 |
| " |
" |
for 1860 |
|
500,209.57 |
|
|
Increase |
|
$71,026.67 |
| To which add the receipts from the
Tarboro' Branch, as follows: |
|
|
| Receipts |
from |
Passengers |
5,368.85 |
|
| " |
" |
Freight |
3,509.78 |
|
| " |
" |
Mails |
281.94 |
9,160.57 |
| And we have total increased income
for 1861 of |
$80,187.24 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Expenditures |
| Maintenance of Permanent Way |
|
|
| Cost of |
ordinary repairs of track |
56,728.89 |
|
| " |
Extraordinary repairs of track |
20,025.09 |
|
| " |
Repairs of Bridges |
4,315.30 |
81,069.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Department of Transportation |
| Rolling Stock -- Cost of
repairs of |
|
|
| Locomotive Engines and materials on
hand for repairs |
28,532.78 |
|
| Cost of repairs of passenger cars and
materials on hand for repairs |
8,995.12 |
|
| Cost of repairs of Freight cars and
materials on hand for repairs |
3,621.15 |
41,149.05 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Train Expenses -- Pay of Conductors,
Engineers, Baggage Masters, Train hands and Firemen |
32,029.42 |
|
| Cost of fuel for Engines
and Cars |
15,476.97 |
|
| "
of Oil, Tallow and Waste |
6,171.26 |
|
| Miscellaneous expenses of
trains |
1,986.51 |
55,664.16 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Station Expenses
-- Cost of repairs of Wood and Water Stations, Warehouses and
other Station buildings |
3,121.65 |
|
| Cost of Tickets, Ticket
Books, Blank Way Bills, Freight Manifests, &c. |
751.21 |
|
| Cost of printing Annual
Reports, Time Tables and Advertising |
577.33 |
|
| Pay of Station Agents,
Yard Master, Warehouse hands and cost of pumping water at
Stations |
16,937.80 |
|
| Miscellaneous expenses of
Stations |
3,151.20 |
24,539.19 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| General Expenses |
| Cost of new Locomotives
and tools for Shop |
$1,024.00 |
|
| Cost of new Passenger
Cars, and tools for Shops |
4,386.05 |
|
| Cost of new Freight Cars |
3,503.05 |
8,913.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Cost of Clothing,
Subsistence and Medical attendance |
14,059.73 |
|
| Loss and Damage |
812.98 |
|
| Half the cost of Steam
Ferry |
3,157.00 |
|
| Office Expenses |
550.25 |
|
| Miscellaneous expenses |
3,187.20 |
21,717.16 |
| Salaries of Officers |
|
9,625.00 |
| Total cost of operating
the Road |
|
$242,676.85 |
| To which add cost of
operating the Tarboro' Branch as follows: |
|
|
| Transportation expenses |
$2,655.88 |
|
| Station expenses |
420.78 |
|
| Road repairs |
1,116.00 |
|
| Miscellaneous expenses |
236.62 |
4,429.28 |
| Total cost of operating
Main Stem and Branch |
|
$247,106.13 |
| Leaving nett receipts for
the year |
|
$333,290.73 |
| Against nett receipts for
1860 |
|
246,484.63 |
| Increase |
|
$86,806.10 |
|
| |
|
Cost of Construction |
| The item of $15,295.64 is
chargeable to "Construction," being for new Chairs and for
filling Trestle Work -- neither Chairs nor other joint fastenings
having been supplied at the time the track was laid down. |
| Explanation of Statement |
| By comparing this statement
with the corresponding one for 1860 we see that there has been a
reduction in the cost of operating in general. The cost of "maintenance
of permanent way," has increased in the item of
"extraordinary repairs," caused by adding a large amount of
new rails, in mending laminated iron, and in a large quantity of new
Spikes used in laying down new Chairs. |
| Under the head of Train
Expenses, the item of "Oil, Tallow and Waste" has increased.
This is due to the increased price of lubricating materials, and to
the increase of mileage made over the Road by troop and freight
trains. |
| From the foregoing statement
it will be seen that the cost of operating proper has been less than
42 1/2 per cent. of the gross receipts, and only about 45 per cent
upon the whole cost of operating, and the cost of
"construction" included. |
|
New Equipment and Construction |
| We have (with prompt repairs)
for the next year a sufficient equipment of Passenger Engines and Cars
-- and our Freight Engines, when fully repaired and in good order, as
we soon hope to have them, will be sufficient for the probable service
that will be required of them for the present year. We, however, need
an increase of our freight cars, and I respectfully recommend that
thirty new box cars be built or purchased, without delay. The great
increase of our through business, both Confederate and private,
requires this increase of our equipments in freight cars. |
| I do not propose any material
improvements in the track or other part of the permanent way during
the current fiscal year, beyond a supply of new rails. As son as the
condition of the Company will justify it, culverts of masonry should
be constructed throughout the line. |
|
Repairs of Permanent Way |
| There have been placed in the
track during the past fiscal year a large quantity of (52,000)
cross-ties, and four hundred tons of new rails -- one-half of them of
American manufacture -- and about 25,000 double lipped-rolled chairs.
-- About 20,000 more chairs are wanted to complete the track; but we
must wait until a more convenient season for this remainder. The iron
works of the South are too much occupied with army work to admit of
such improvements at this item. |
| The track, with the exception
of the laminated rails, is in good order. All the trestle work, or
nearly all that can be judiciously filled up, has been filled, and the
track is now, with the exception of about half a mile, resting upon
the firm ground. I except of course the bridges and "culvert trestles." |
| The work of filling was
commenced in 1855, my first year upon the Road, and has been pushed
forward with untiring diligence so long as there remained any
unnecessary water space unfilled -- up to the first day of January,
1861 -- when the Board of Directors deemed it best to suspend further
operations of the gravel train. |
| Bridges |
| The Bridges are in good order
generally. The one over Quanky Creek requires re-decking, and I design
to have it done at an early day. They are all, I believe, safe and
strong. Some miscreant attempted to precipitate a train containing
Confederate troops into Tussnot Creek in the month of May last, by
cutting down in part the trestle culvert at that point; fortunately
the train passed over without accident. A similar attempt was made at
Smith's Creek Bridge, by boring the stringers in two; this also failed
of its object, and though a reward was offered for the discovery of
the fiend who was thus willing to trifle with human live, yet no
certain information of the perpetrator has been received. |
|
Culverts |
| As I remarked above, Culverts
should be supplied where they are needed as soon as materials can be
had for the purpose. |
|
Repair Shops |
| The Repair Shops are now well
supplied with good machinery; and, with an efficient force our Rolling
Stock can be maintained in a high state of efficiency, at a minimum
cost. In consequence of the great falling off in our receipts for the
first six months of the fiscal year, the Board of Directors ordered a
considerable reduction in our mechanical force. |
| This reduction of force taking
place about the time that two accidents happened to our Engines,
somewhat crippled us in motive power for a time, but we are now fast
recovering from that condition, and our Engines will soon -- if no
further accidents happen -- be in as good order as usual. -- They will
be efficient for our wants for the current fiscal year. |
|
Department of transportation |
| The mileage made by all trains
the past year is 325,181 miles. Divide the cost of operating
($242,676.85) by this and we have 75 cents nearly as the average cost
for each mile run by our trains. |
| We have carried over the Road
this year 46,371 through passengers, including troops, and 81,803 way
passengers that have paid fare, either full or half rates. |
| During the preceding year the
numbers were, 25,595 through, and 81,051 way passengers. |
| The large increase in through
travel is of course due to the transportation of troops, and it only
includes those who paid fare; for it is a well known fact that many
hundreds of State troops passed over portions of the Road free. It was
found impossible to prevent this in the beginning of the w3ar, in
consequence of the entire want of system in the Quarter Master's
Department of the State at that time. |
| The receipts from freights
have been less than they were for the preceding year, but under the
circumstances of the country, and the low rates at which we have
carried Government freight, I think we have every reason for
encouragement at the result of the year's work. |
| Though we have carried a
largely increased number of through passengers over last year, and
though our freights have nearly maintained their place this year, yet
it is questionable whether the real nett income is better than it
would have been if we had carried the usual number of through
passengers at full rates, and the ordinary quantity of freight at the
usual rates. The wear and tear of machinery and track, from the great
crowds that have passed over, and the great number of extra trains
that were necessary to do the work promptly, has lessened materially
the benefits of large receipts. |
| However this may be, it is not
a question over which the Company or its officers had any control.
Patriotism, honor, and self-defence, demanded of us our entire
energies, and the use of all the means at our disposal, or that we
could command, to aid the Government faithfully and efficiently in the
hour of its greatest necessity. |
| And I am happy to say that I
have found no member of your Board, nor any officer of this Company,
backward in doing all that could be reasonably expected, in this great
work of pushing on the troops and supplies at all hours of the day and
night. |
| It is hardly worth while to
speculate as to the future -- further than to say when we have
"conquered a peace," as we most assuredly shall do, and
achieved a political and commercial independence, our trade and travel
along the seaboard cannot be diminished -- or fall below what it was
in former years. |
| Warehouses and Station Houses |
| Are much needed at several
places on the Road, and I respectfully refer you to the following
extract from my last Annual Report, which I commend to your special
consideration -- no steps having been taken to supply the wants then
stated to exist: |
| "A new warehouse (of
brick) should be constructed at Wilson as soon as practicable,
together with a suitable house for passengers. |
| "The old warehouse at
that place is entirely too small for the present wants of the Company.
It is not worth repairing and enlarging, but should be converted into
a shed for lime, guano, &c. |
| "The present ticket
office is too small for the convenience and comfort of the Company's
patrons at this growing and thrifty place. The receipts at this
station have increased three-fold in five years. |
| "Thorough repairs should
be made to the warehouses at Joyner's, Black Creek, Nahunta, Dadley,
Faison, and Warsaw. At the latter station, the warehouse should be
enlarged. Station houses, with ticket offices, should be constructed
at Joyner's, Back Creek, Dudley, Eaison and Warsaw; and small
warehouses, with ticket offices and passenger rooms, should be erected
at Pikeville, Mount Olive, Duplin Cross Roads, Leesburg and South
Washington. |
| "The most important of
these should be completed during the current fiscal year. |
| "I do not propose large
or costly structures, but plain, neat buildings." |
|
Tarboro' Branch |
| This work has been so far
completed that our trains were able to run over the entire track about
the first week in June. |
| On the 12th of June last, I
made a general examination of the Road, Bridge and Culverts, and
received the Track with certain conditions, also the Bridge over Tar
River, when the Deck should be completed on the truss Bridge according
to the understanding between the Contractors and myself. The Culverts
were accepted in part, when the one at Hendrick's Creek had been made
secure. |
| I regret to inform you that
this condition has not been complied with, and further to inform you
that one of the dry culverts has given way in consequence of there
being no sufficient foundation provided for it, which, by special
agreement, the contractors were required to provide and make secure.
Consequently, I have informed the contractors that the work that had
given way, as well as the culvert at Hendrick Creek, must be rebuilt
and rendered secure before the masonry could be accepted. |
| In consequence of the demands
upon my time by the Confederate Government, since the first of
September, I have been unable to press this work to completion. |
| The contractors have
themselves been engaged in Government Roads, and hence the delay in
getting a final settlement, which I now trust we shall be able to make
in a short time. |
| The operations over a portion
of this Branch have been conducted for the entire fiscal year. |
| The contractors were required
by their original contract to have the entire Road and Bridge
completed by the end of September, 1860: -- by a subsequent contract
for a more permanent Bridge, they were allowed one month longer to
complete the road and bridge, provided they should make a temporary
track across the river to bring over cotton, or should provide a ferry
for that purpose. The contractors failed to do either, and the bridge
remained unfinished until nearly the first day of June, 1861. In
consequence of this delay a great number of bales of cotton were as
formerly sent down Tar River for a market. The number is estimated at
twenty-five hundred bales, or more. |
| This loss of freight on Cotton
and the subsequent great depression of business has caused the
receipts of this branch to fall greatly below what we had reasonably
expected, yet with all this the Branch receipts are such as to give
encouragement for the entire success of the work, whenever general
prosperity to the business of the country shall return. |
| The nett receipts for the
Branch are $4,731.34, which is over three per cent. on its cost. |
| There should be charged
to the construction account of the Branch the equipment that has
been supplied to it from the main stem, say |
| One |
Locomotive |
$7,000.00 |
| One |
Passenger car |
2,000.00 |
| One |
Baggage car |
650.000 |
| Three |
Freight cars |
1,800.00 |
| |
9,450.00 |
| Making the entire cost of the Branch
when completed and equipped about |
$152,000.00 |
|
| With gross receipts of $45,000
per annum, which it is believed can will be reached in ordinary
business years, and with annual expenditures for operating of $6,000,
which for the next five years should not be exceeded, we shall have a
nett income of more than six per cent. on the capital invested in the
Road. Whether this reasoning is correct or not does not matter -- the
business that the Branch would probably bring to the main stem was the
object mainly of its construction. |
| The payments made on account
of this Branch Road have been as follows: |
| Paid on contract in 1860 |
|
$67,063.88 |
| Paid on contract in 1861 |
|
48,732.98 |
|
Total payments to this date |
$115,796.86 |
| The original contract about |
$130,000.00 |
|
| Subsequent contract for masonry |
12,500.00 |
|
|
|
|
$142,500.00 |
| Balance due contractors about |
|
26,703.14 |
|
| Before closing this report, I
desire to inform you why I have been unable to examine the Road Way as
usual, since September first. |
| Shortly before the fall of
Fort Hatteras, at the solicitation of the Committee of Safety of
Wilmington, the Governor appointed me Chief of the Corps of State
Artillery and engineers, and the General commanding in the State
assigned me to duty as Chief Engineer of the Coast Defences of this
part of the State, a position I had neither the inclination nor
ability to decline. |
| This duty has necessarily
occupied much of my time, though I have attended to the office and
depot duties as far as practicable. There seemed to be a necessity for
my services, in the construction of defensive works on the coast and
around Wilmington, where a large and important portion of the
Company's property is located. |
| I have heretofore laid this
matter before the Board of Directors, and by them my course has been
approved. I only refer to the subject here that the facts may be known
to all who desire to know them. |
| In consequence of vacating the
office of Superintendent's Clerk some months ago, the accounts
heretofore kept in his office of the service of trains, engines and
engineers, and the account of materials received and expended are
incomplete, and the tables containing these statements that usually
accompany this report will be less full and satisfactory than
heretofore. They will, however, be compiled as accurately as possible,
and in time to accompany the printed reports that will be distributed
amongst the Stockholders. |
| We should not fail to render
thanks to an over-ruling Providence for His wonderful interposition in
shielding from danger and destruction some of the many lives committed
to our care during the past six months, when, as was not unfrequently
the case, no one could tell when a train would be met, day or night. |
| And I desire to remark in this
connection, that if military officers commanding troops could for a
moment appreciate the responsibility they assume, and the risk they
take of crippling the operations of the government, as well as the
extreme danger to life they are incurring by interfering with the
regular running of trains, they would certainly leave that duty to the
officers of the Companies, to who it properly belongs. |
| My thanks are due to the
officers, agents and employees for their prompt and efficient
discharge of duty. |
| Respectfully submitted. |
| S. L. Fremont, Chief Engineer & Sup't |
| |
| Note |
| The Company has at this time
26 Locomotive Engines, 24 of which are serviceable, and the other two
are to be rebuilt; 16 Passenger Cars, 5 of them nearly new and all in
good order; 6 Second Class Cars, 6 Baggage and Mail Cars, 85 Freight
Cars (Box), 25 Freight Cars (Platform), 5 Freight Cats (Conductors), 1
Supply Car, and 1 Ambulance Car. |
|