Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1839-03-21
REPORT

supp CUy by I. III. PETRlE, CHleT Engineer
To THE PRESIDENT AND DlREcToRs OF THE MIS-
sIssIPPI AND ALABAMA RAIL ROAD COMPANY.
Gentlemen :--Agreeably to the acquisitions Of
your resolution Of the 18th June, 1888, and the
letter Of instructions with which was Subse
quently honored by the President, have eau
sed the city Of Mississippi, 10 be laid out; and
have examined the country between Paulding
and the Gulf of Mexico, with view to the Sc.
lection ofthe most eligible route for Rail Road
between those points; and as the result OF these
Investigations, beg leave to present the fol-
lowing
REPORT:
After general reconnaissance the coun-
try, it was found advisable in some instances,
TO survey three routes, whilst in others the for
NATION fthe country indicated so clearly the
line that should be adopted, that more than one
was deemed unnecessary.
The red lines drawn upon the map, which is
herewith presented, represent the routes sur
veyed, and the double line of red and black, the
one which take leave TO recommend for the
adoption of the Board.
This line, it will be perceived, follows the
valley of the Tallahala creek, generally, from
Paulding to Augusta section of country
that presents unusual facilities for the construc-
ton OF Rail Road. Below Augusta, the rout.
though less favourable than above it, encoun.
tiers no obstacles that cannot be surmounted.
The plain Of the country between Leaf River
and the Gulf, is frequently interrupted by the
tributaries of the Pascagoula river, which ira.
verse it in direction nearly at right angles
with the course of the road.
The principal difficulties in the way of con.
StfuCtInU n Rn Ron haf III |
Gulf, occur at Leaf River, Black and Red creeks
and Biloxi river. These streams sometimcso.
Feriiow their banks 10 the depth Of from three
70 iour teet; and not untrequently the adjacent
low grounds on the borders are submerged =
from one hall to one and half miles in width,
which VIII render it necessary to elevate the 2
work IN their vicinity higher than would other. a
wise seem requisite, and considerably enhance :
its cost
Leaf River is about 200 feet wide, and when r
ull 10 ieet deep, bordered by low grounds and 4
,,Wamps which are liable to innundation- y
mere are points, however, where the bluffs II
approach within short distance of the hiohI
ands OF the opposite side; and although those CT
instances are oil extremely rare occurrence, we in
succeeded IN fndmga point a short distance n. W
'oVe Augusta, where viaduct of $50 feet in SC
ength Will carry the road entirely beyond the tn
each of freshets. m
ihere may be more eligible crossing places ell
'oth above and below, than that fixed upop ed
ut the time the surveys were made, the wa. m
CT was loo high to admit Of more critical ex pc
mhatlon than was bestowed. If on a more tie
horough investigation, which think highly in
ecessary previous TO the final location Of the er
oad, another point should be preferred. its a.
oP'lon wlIl not interfere with the other por- 70
ons oil the route as the wide latitude allowed lo'
me valleys OF Leaf and Tallahaa will Der. m'
Ut Inc location to be made in any direction de
lat Will conform TO the vaduct ny
Ihese observations will generally apply to gu
10 other streams already mcntioncdA thew CO
resent obstacles ola similar character, but of mt
SIS magnitude. thu
Inc entire length Of the Rail Road will he no
! miies,-shorter by nine miles than the com. ly
Oh road" The ratio Of inclination was lin tn;
"fauldlng is 528 feet higher than the Gulf sol
-which gives an average descent of lille
ore than four feet to a mile. Pe
I'd above Augusta to &c feet per mile. (ahor,I la q
mics Of The distance need not exceed 8 fee, ("
ID below Augusta at 90 feet. The radius III 80,
curves Will not be less than 5000 feet. md ~
neralIy may be made of any desired length I',
below Augusta, in few instances, it will be al
ceSsary TO transcend the maximum grade or raI
ieet, but not so faras TO prevent the advan. hi
Seou!ss application Of locomotive power. n no.,
wlll now present for your consideration 81
plans by which the road NAV be bu;It a 70.
g hrst contemplatos the erection of a sunor' en-
1cluTe composed of the best materials TO he ,u',
I'm Inc country, aud the use oftho most an. ""u
VeI pattern of edge rail that can be procnr. VI :
The second, the adoption of a less exnen u. Us .
!, method oil construction, and a plate rn;l 'c g
ll9r TO that commonly employed before the oo %
oducllon of the heavy locomotives now oen gone
ly in use.t Nv" so"- tlon
man
Plate RAILWAYS arc voI,oLI, coun
where the traffic would not Justify no"o S'e !,
'nslve constructions, but in the present Jon o. Az
are liable to abuse. On road where NJ 1'ayo
power is employed, and light loads onir ne II EN-
transported, IF the wood upon which Ibo ooniP
Is laid is hard enough to resist detection SOU
ne ran Will answer every purpose ,hnt s,r 1",
e gained by an edge rail. ~ '""' street
here plate rails arc used, dependence !. oaGh
IN the wooden superstruciurc for strength on iu
road, and the iron is merely EMPLOYED to loo
Mt friction, and the resistance thai Womb rail u,