NP, WJ 8/19/1862

From the Wilmington Journal
 
August 19, 1862
 
The Locomotive "Victory"
   The mechanical enterprise and skill of the "Macon & Western railroad repair shop," at Macon, we had gratifying evidence of, a day or two ago, in seeing the handsome locomotive "Victory" on one of the railroad tracks near the depot in this city, proudly challenging, as it were, the critical examination of our experienced machinists, while it was commanding the admiration of our citizens; for though they, as well as ourselves, have seen more powerful engines, none have been seen more bright, a more beautiful "machine." We learn that the work on this was commenced about eight months ago; that it was done in the "Macon & Western railroad repair shop;" and that, with the exception of the bell, safety balance, steam gauge, and water gauge, it was completed in that shop; these, too, would have been made there, but for the fact that they were already on hand. We also learn that the brass mountings of the engine were cast at the foundry of the shop in Macon, by a Macon made mechanic. All this is highly creditable to the machinists of the shop, where the "Victory" was constructed, for, if we are correctly advised, and we believe we are, there is no locomotive shop in America, that does all the work, or finishes all the material, of a locomotive -- the brass mountings, wheels, axles, etc., being all purchased for their machines.
   The "Victory" weighs 23 tons, and cost a little over $8,000. She is now being run by Engineer Joe Hartman, and was constructed under the supervision of Mr. E. Crockett, the master machinist of the shop.
   We see in this evidence that the South can go on and build her locomotives. She possesses both the mechanical skill and ability to do so. If she will only be energetic, and persevere, she will achieve another victory over the North as important in its results, as victories won upon the battlefield. The machinists of Macon have shown what they can do. Those of Atlanta have already demonstrated their ability to turn out work of the same description. Savannah, if she has not already done so, can with her machinists do the same. Let us then have no more Yankee locomotives after this revolution is ended and our independence won, but let us construct them at home, in Georgia, and thus achieve a victory in mechanics over the world, and especially over the North.
Atlanta Intelligencer

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