NP, WJ 11/26B/1863

From the Wilmington Journal
 
November 26, 1863
 
General Superintendent's Report
Office Gen'l Superintendent, W. & M. R. R.   {Wilmington & Manchester RR}
Wilmington, N. C., Oct. 1, 1863
 
Thos. D. Walker
President
 
   I herewith respectfully submit to you my first Annual Report of the operations of this Company, for the fiscal year closing September 30th, 1863:
   Accompanying the same will be found the usual tabular statements, showing in detail the most important facts connected with its operations.
   The total receipts of the Road are made up as follows:
Receipts from Through Travel $449,680.55
        "         "    Way            " 144,493.79
        "         "     Freight and Minor Sources 503,792.51
        "          "    Mail 60,598.45
     Total $1,128,565.30
The Expenditures have been 521,963.53
Leaving as nett earnings 606,601.77
Against nett earnings of previous year 425,351.67
Showing an increase on nett receipts of $180,250.10
   The number of Through Passengers carried during the year was 110,411, being an increase of 53,052 over the number carried the previous year. The number of Way Passengers carried for the same period has been 71,942, being an increase of 6,837 over the number carried the previous year.
   An examination of the receipts and expenditures indicates that the Road has been operated at a cost of about 42 1/2 per cent. of the gross receipts. This is exclusive of the cost of two new engines. If these are included the result would show about 46 1/2 per cent. of the gross receipts. For further details and particulars, reference s respectfully made to the tabular statements accompanying this report.
   In the Roadway Department I am pleased to report that, notwithstanding the great difficulty of obtaining cross-ties, bridge and trestle timber, and other necessary material, as well also of labor, the Roadway is in very good condition. The track is in good order. There has been considerable renewal of timber in the track, bridges and trestles, and it is designed during this present fiscal year to do much more. Large contracts have been made for these supplies, and with an increase in the force on Roadway, which is proposed to be made in January, the condition of the track can and will be very much more improved in those respects. The iron on the Road, as on all the leading Roads in the Confederacy, is beginning to show considerable signs of lamination. The attention of the Company has been several times called to this in former reports of my predecessor. While in this particular we are in no more critical situation than most roads on the main line of business, our condition is by no means such as I would desire.
   It will be necessary, if possible, to obtain at least ten miles of new iron. To secure new rails the Government will have to come to our aid. This it is possible it will do, as the Government of late is becoming alive to the importance of Railroads, and instead of as heretofore absorbing all the material, men and workshops necessary to our existence, there is a disposition manifested to aid these and other roads in these particulars. Should this policy be fully adopted, the effect will be beneficial, not only to this road, but to others. It affords me much gratification to add in this connection that the Railroad Companies are largely indebted to the energy and perseverance of Major F. W. Sims, Chief of the Railroad Bureau, at Richmond, for this very wise and highly necessary policy.
   It is designed, also, to remedy this trouble to a certain extent during the present fiscal year by renewing the ends of rails requiring it. This can be done in our own shops, and at a comparatively small cost, and I am in hopes the iron can be kept in fair condition by the adoption of the above two courses.
   Owing to the increased business offering the road, the wells and pumps at the Stations have been found insufficient. New wooden pumps are now being put in on the entire line, and it is proposed to further improve our Water and Wood Stations. Contracts have also been made for enlarging our freighting facilities at Wilmington and Kingsville, the present buildings being entirely inadequate to accommodate the business. It is also designed to erect a new passenger house at Sumter, and a new warehouse at Mar's Bluff. The warehouse at Pee Dee has been enlarged to double its size; the passenger accommodations at Marion greatly improved, and a good shed erected over the water tank at Mullen's. New water tanks have also been put up at Myrtle Branch and near Pee Dee.
   Finding our engines and men suffering for want of proper protection from the weather while in the Round House, contracts were made to erect a wooden roof over it. There has been some unavoidable delay in the work, owing to the conscript act taking away certain men engaged on the contracts. The work, however is progressing, and it is hoped this very needful improvement will be soon completed. It is proposed, during the present fiscal year to give much attention to permanent improvements on the line.
   The Rolling Stock has failed us very much during the past year. This has been owing in part to the almost insuperable difficulty of obtaining materials and men to do the necessary repairs. These difficulties have been to a considerable extent removed, and I am in hopes it can be kept in better condition in the future. It has been found impossible to add as largely by purchase to our stock of engines and cars as was desired. Two very fine freight engines, however, were bought in March, which greatly aided the business, one for the sum of twenty thousand dollars, and the other for twenty-two thousand five hundred dollars. To answer the very great demand for transportation, both on Government and private account, being unable to purchase, I resorted to the plan of renting engines and cars. There has been added to our stock by this means nine locomotives and seventy-five cars. This outfit will enable us not only to increase the general business of the Road but give us an opportunity to repair thoroughly some of those belonging to the Company. The contracts made for these new engines and cars are not only favorable to the Company as to price and time, but will enable us to extend much greater facilities to those needing transportation.
   Owing to the deterioration of our engines and cars, I have found it necessary to add certain new tools both in the Machine Shop and Carpenter Shop. These tools are not only useful now, but will be after the war. The freight cars have been most of them thoroughly overhauled and re-painted. There has been added to our stock of passenger cars three new second class cars, and several of the coaches have been thoroughly repaired and repainted.
   The business done on the Road during the last year has been very heavy, and notwithstanding the large number of trains run, both regular and irregular, we have been singularly exempted from loss to life and limb. I have tp record but one accident of a serious nature. I mention this in commendation of the skill and judgment of those running the trains.
   In December last a Convention of Rail Road officers in Augusta made arrangements for reducing speed of the mail trains on the line from Richmond to Montgomery. The schedule, from want of concert of action, fell through. In January, believing it to be a matter of the very first importance to run at slow rates of speed, steps were taken to effect this very desirable object. Much difficulty was experienced, but on February 22d our schedule was lengthened, and the effects in saving the Rolling Stock and Road have been most marked and important.
   Construction account has been charged with the sum of $24,772.94, the chief item in which is the sum of $20,500.00 paid for wharf property. This purchase has greatly added to our freighting facilities.
   I take great pleasure in commending to the favorable attention of the Company, with few exceptions, all the officers and employees of the Company. The calls on them have been numerous and onerous, and for the aid they have given me, as well as their general zeal and fidelity, no small need of thanks is due them.
Respectfully submitted.
Henry M. Drane
Gen'l Superintendent

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