AR, K&K 1/1/1861 E

Annual Report of the Knoxville & Kentucky RR
as of January 1, 1861,
Engineer's Report
 
Engineer's Report
Engineer's Office, Knoxville & Kentucky R. R. Company
Knoxville, Tennessee, March 25, 1861
 
Sir,
   I have the gratification of reporting to you very favorable progress in the construction of your road, notwithstanding the embarrassment which the recent and continuing political agitation has brought not only upon unfinished but also completed and operated lines of railway throughout the whole country.
   Since my last report, then miles of your road from Knoxville to the Copper Ridge have been graded and about nine miles of track laid, and much work done upon the next section of eleven miles to Clinton.
   At the time of your last stockholders' meeting, one year ago, only six miles of the grading had been let to contractors. In October last the grading was so far completed on the first ten-mile section that track-laying was commenced at the point of junction of the East Tennessee & Georgia, and East Tennessee & Virginia railroads, and December 25, 1860, the first excursion train passed over the road from Knoxville to Beaver Creek, a distance of nine miles -- the excursionists expressing much satisfaction with the road, which had to that extent been completed in the manner indicated in my last annual report.
   From Copper Ridge to Clinton the work of graduation has so far progressed that one-half the entire distance is now prepared for track-laying, and the remainder of the distance, including the deep cut at the passage of the Copper Ridge, is in such a state of forwardness that it is confidently believed that the track may at last be completed to Clinton by the coming fall or early winter -- the only difficulty in the way of an earlier completion of the road to Clinton existing at the Copper Ridge, at which point a night as well as a day force should be employed, if it is deemed important to hasten with all possible despatch the extension of the track to Clinton.
   From Clinton to Coal Creek the work has not yet been let to contractors, for the reason that it has been deemed advisable to await the opening of spring and its developments as to the financial condition of the country. This last ten-mile section is, however, of so light a character of work that it may yet, without difficulty, be put under contract and be ready to receive the iron without any delay in track-laying at Clinton.
   So far, I have no reason to make any material change in the estimated cost of the road from Knoxville to Coal Creek. From the work already done, I am satisfied the road may be finished and equipped for the sum indicated in my last report.
   The ten miles finished, which are provided with a T rail of the most approved pattern and of American iron, laid upon good cross-ties, distant from each other's centre twenty-nine inches, with the joint fastenings of the best quality of wrought iron chairs now in use, have cost your company, under my supervision --
For graduation, masonry, and bridging $43,085.38
For iron rails, delivered at Knoxville 49,672.32
For chairs and spikes, delivered at Knoxville 3,524.02
For cross-ties 6,500.00
For track-laying, (which cost would be even less if a large amount of work for which contractors charge extra, were deducted) 1,972.34
There had been expended for graduation on this section when the work was resumed 13,064.50
Thus making the entire cost of the road from Knoxville to the base of the Copper Ridge, a distance of ten miles 117,813.56
or less than twelve thousand dollars per mile. The savings, so as to reduce the cost considerably below that of most other roads, is to be attributed in part to the favorable location adopted, and the amount saved by your agent in the purchase of iron, and also to the fact that the track-laying was not let to contract, but done under the immediate supervision of your engineers, thereby materially increasing their labors, as well as those of the secretary and treasurer, in employing and settling with laborers employed by the day.
   The locomotive "John Williams" has so far given good satisfaction and proved to be well adapted to the road, as also the platform and box cars built in this city at the shops of A. L. Maxwell, jr., not a wheel so far having been off the track.
   Upon the division of the road from Copper Ridge to Clinton, there has been expended for graduation and masonry $58,252.47. Upon the bridge over Clinch river, which will certainly be completed in time for the track, there has been expended $9,252.75.
   I would refer, sir, to interviews I have had within the past year with Colonel McLeod, chief engineer of the Louisville  Nashville road, and Colonel Gower, chief engineer of the Lexington & Danville road; but as your board are familiar with the causes which brought these gentlemen to Knoxville, as well as other steps which have been taken at Louisville and Cincinnati, looking to a connection of your road with lines of railway running southward from those cities, I need not encumber this report with matter to which your board in their report may, if they see proper, call the attention of the stockholders.
All of which is respectfully submitted
C. A. Mee
Chief Engineer

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