Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-12-01
James River and Kanawha Company.
PRESIDENTS REPOR'

PRESIDENTS REPORT.
To ihs Stockholders Of the
James River and KanGpta Company.
In the present annual report shall pursue the
usual course, treating, first, of the existing I'M.
proyements of the company; second, of its fiscal
concerns; third, Of the progress made in new
works authorized by the Legislature; and, fourth,
OF the plans and prospects OF the company
1. EXISTING IMPROVEMENTS.
|. The R,chmond Do.k.-This work has
stood we'll during the year. The outlet lock,
which received thorough repairs in September
and October ls47, has justified tim expectation
expressed in the last report, that It would inspire
shipmasters with increased confidence, and IN
duce greater number of vessels TO profit OF the
signal advantages of this safe and convenient
haven The effect of this result on the revenue,
however, has thus far been neutralized by re.
duction of the rates Of dockage made in lS4i
on certain staple articles OF the commerce oi
the port; measure which, from the ADDITION 10
the tonnage of the dock already evidently pro-
duced by it, bids fair, in short time, 10 eVlnce
its expsdiency by an increased and steadily IN
creasing revenue.
The ordinary repairs for the year have been
hi, They have consisted chiefly in work ur
on the coal spouts, in keeping open The drain on
the northern side OF Dock street so as TO discharge
its waters freely into Shockoe creek, and in rails.
ing the stree, itself, without material cost TO The
company, by permitting earth from The founda-
lions OF several buildings in course OF erection IN
the immediate vicinity, 10 be deposited thereon.
The grea, fresh OF November l647 swept away
every building, fixture and convenience on the
lock LOT, except the lockkeepers dwelling house
and small lumber house. Ii was twelve ieet
deep around the former building, and reached to
the height of four feet above The noor Of the Sec
ond story. The buildings and convenences thus
swept away were Immediately replaced by 9TH
ers. On that occasion 100, a section OF Mayos
bridge and large quantity oil food wood, which
forced il 10 give way, struck violently against
the company's steam dredger "fiercules," (Which
for convenience, had been moored al Widewts
bar. in The river, opposite 10 The lock,) and
caused il 10 become imbedded 10 The sand,
where il remains useless wreck. As soon
as the weather permitted in the spring, Inc
engine, and every other article oil machinery ci
any value, were taken out and secured 10 house
built for the purpose on the companjs premises
near The lock. The same flood aoraded ana
thinned the embankment between Haxails Ca
nal and the river for some distance opposite TO
Williams saw-mill The lost material has re-
Gently teen restored and the embankment re-
paired in very satisfactory manner. The loss
OF hiayu's bridge made il necessary TO revive,
temporarily, the old ferry short distance below,
The only access to which from The city is by way
of The dock bridge. The structure, besides hav-
ing suffered decay in some OF its paris, was so
much injured by the additional heavy trade and
travel thus thrown upon il, that il became neces-
sary TO renew the flooring and several OF the Tim
bers. and 20 strengthen il by wroughl-iron braces,
wi h screws al each end, running transversely
through The foor-beams.
The gross dockase collected during
The year amounted 10 s5oo "a
Deeuet disbursements, as Jollovs:
For extraordinary repairs, 1878 20
For ordinary repairs, $50 Sc
For salaries and incidental
expenses, 1854 w