AR, R&YR 10/1/1863 S

Annual Report of the Richmond & York River RR
as of October 1, 1863,
Superintendent's Report
 
Report of Master of Transportation
 
Office Richmond & York River Railroad Co.
October 18th, 1863
 
Alex. Dudley, Esq.
Pres't.
 

Sir,

   The following Report of the condition of roadway, bridges, rolling stock, material, &c., on hand for the fiscal year ending September 30th, is respectfully submitted:

Roadway

   The surface and alignment is in good order, but a large amount of earth requires removing from the ditches in the cuts, which sometimes fill to overflowing, from the sliding of slopes after heavy rains.
   Of the force of negro prisoners employed for the gravel train, on the 3d of September, twelve of the fifteen made their escape, on the night of the 27th, from a guard of four (4) men detailed from the City Battalion, and as it is impossible to hire labor at this season, we will be unable to have any more ditching done this year.

Bridges

   Are in fair order, except Upper Black Creek -- one of the abutments of which has given way, and requires rebuilding. Two have been rebuilt during the year, namely, Lower Black Creek, which was destroyed by the enemy; the other near 3 mile post, which was washed away by heavy rains in July. Chickahominy Bridge should be filled up as high at least as the bottom sills of the bents, as some of the piles show signs of decay; which would have been done ere this had we been able to retain the force employed for that purpose.

Water Stations

   There has been put up an additional water tank near the Gas Works, the one already there being insufficient to supply the demand. The tank frame at Meadow station has been entirely renewed, and we have a good supply of water for present purposes.

Locomotives

   The Company has four, (4), two of which are in good running order; the others need tires, and cannot be used until supplied. Arrangements have been made with the Richmond & Danville Railroad Co., to cast the tires as soon as we can obtain a sufficient quantity of the right kind of iron.

Cars

   We have one more box car than we had last year, which was built in Company's shops. Another will be ready for service during the present month. The number and condition of cars will be found in table marked A.

Casualties and Accidents

   On the 10th of January the enemy landed at White House; burned and destroyed the freight house, containing about 300 bushels of grain, also, a large portion of our wharf.
   Again, on the 25th of June they landed in large force; advanced; burned Lower Black Creek Bridge, station and section houses at Tunstall's, took up and carried away about four miles of rails, and evacuated July 10th.
  On July 7th, while the evening train for Meadow station, with government supplies, was passing near three mile post, a very heavy rain falling at the time, it was discovered, when too late, that one of the bents of the bridge near that point, had washed away. The engineer not seeing anything wrong, ran on the bridge, precipitating engine, tender and two freight cars a distance of ten feet. Fortunately there was no one hurt.
   Annexed Tables, marked A, B and C, gives the number of locomotives and cars, and their condition; also, the amount of material, &c., on hand, with the present value thereof.
John McFarland
Master Transportation

Home