| Annual Report of the Seaboard & Roanoke
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| as of February 1, 1861, |
| Examining Committee's Report |
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| Report of Examining Committee
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| To the Stockholders of the Seaboard &
Roanoke Railroad Company |
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Gentlemen,
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The undersigned, a Committee, acting under a
resolution of your last meeting, respectfully
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Report
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That, on the 1st instant, they visited and inspected the
Shop of the Company, at Portsmouth, which appeared to be conducted
with care and economy. They were especially pleased with a lately
purchased lathe, the operations of which will greatly facilitate the
character of the work, which has hitherto been done at some
disadvantage. The cost of this machine, as the Committee were
informed, was $2,100, delivered here by the Putnam Machine Company, of
Pittsburg.
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A new car shop has been recently completed, in which the
rolling stock and equipments are made, and which seems to be well
fitted for its objects. We found within it two box-cars, being
repaired, and two new express cars in process of construction. The
locomotive "Palmetto" was also undergoing repairs; and we
saw the locomotive "Wm. Collins," which has also been
recently rebuilt and remodeled, and seems to be in perfect condition.
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The new passenger car shed, iron roof, to shelter the
cars, &c, and the commodious Engine House are in excellent order,
as indeed everything connected with the Shop appear to be. The
convenience and economy in the structure are apparent to the most
superficial observer, and will bear favorable comparison with any like
buildings, that your committee have seen.
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The Committee next proceeded to Suffolk, and found the
road or track in good order, much improved by having a portion of it
trough the swamp, raised about 8 inches, and relaid, for about three
miles, with substantial new iron. The old warehouse, at this point, is
somewhat dilapidated, and the iron at the crossings near the
warehouse, considerably worn.
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After leaving Suffolk, they went on their way to Smith's
Creek, where they stopped sometime, to examine the work at that point.
It will be remembered, that it was here a serious accident occurred,
about three years ago, and although there was no loss of life, still
it was attended with damage to the freight, and with no inconsiderable
cost to the Company. The bridge at this creek is in good condition,
and, perhaps, as good as such a structure need be, for present use and
safety; but the embankment is high, with tressle work, which will
require unremitting vigilance, and, in the opinion of the Committee,
should be substituted by stone or iron, as shall be deemed best upon
further examination. The Committee believe, that both economy and
safety require this improvement to be made, and, that the sooner it is
permanently done the better.
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Between this point and Nottoway River, the Committee
stopped several times, and examined the iron and particularly the
section near the 26 mile post, which has been in use for the last ten
years: they found it to be very little worn, and, in the judgment of
the Committee, as safe and strong as it ever was.
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Nottoway Bridge has been entirely renewed within the last
three years, and this year, has received entire new track strings and
sills. The water here is deep, perhaps twenty feet, and often the
current is very strong. The work is at present in good order, but as
constant care is necessary to keep it so, the Committee suggest the
propriety of taking into consideration, at no distant day, a more
permanent structure, of stone piers, or other more substantial
material than the present wood work.
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New stone culvers, at posts 22, 35, 57, 72 and 74, have
been completed within the past year: that at 57 removes a trestle 20
feet long and 16 feet deep. These improvements are now permanent, and
are pointed instances of practical economy.
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The bridge over Meherrin River has been efficiently
renewed, and a permanent earth embankment, of one thousand feet, takes
the place of an equal quantity of trestle work on the low grounds of
that stream. The ballast mine at this place has been advantageously
used during the year, and has proved an important improvement to the
road, wherever it has been applied -- it is designed to be spread
along the whole line as speedily as possible.
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The Committee reached Weldon in good time to inspect the
work there, which they report to be in good order. They examined the
bridge over the Roanoke River, perhaps the most important part of the
duty assigned to them, with as much care as they had the ability to
bestow upon the subject, and it appeared to them to be equal to all
the demands upon it. The roof, over three sections of the bridge, has
been renewed, and the remainder is in active progress. Sleepless
attention is required here, and the Committee have good reason to
believe, that there is nothing neglected to insure all its objects.
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At Weldon a new blacksmith and carpenter shop, in
connection with the Raleigh & Gaston Rail Road, has been built,
with a view to making small repairs, which, it is believed, will prove
economical and useful; also a new watch house, now nearly completed.
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It will not be expected, that a work of such extent and
magnitude could have been thoroughly examined by even a more competent
committee, in so short a space of time as was devoted to this
investigation, but they saw enough to satisfy them of the excellent
condition of the whole work. They observed no waste in any part of it,
nor carelessness but, on the contrary, the strictest attention seems
to have been given by all those who have had control and management of
the Road and its appurtenances.
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Very respectfully,
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W. D.
Sharp
Committee
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Robert Dickson
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Thos. B. Rowland
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Norfolk, February 20th, 1861
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