The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-03-21
Plank Roads.


Plank Roads. H'
We publish below an extract Of letter from
the Hon. Thomas SPENCER, a Member Of the
New York Legislature from Syracuse, written
in answer to enquiries made by one of our
citizens, relative to the cost and mode Of build.
ing Plank Roads.
This novel idea has heen successfully tried
a, the North, and the Southern States are he.
ginning 10 discuss the prepriety f constructing
them-espccally onr neighbors in the Western
part of North Carolina. In viaw Of the deep
interest the suljcc, is likely TO awaken in our
country we had intended 10 devote consider.
able space to it, this week, but defer j, for the
pnllication ofihc extract. The letter states that
the loads carried over the Plank Roads aver.
age. at least, double the usual weight carried
on the old roads, with comparatively no fatigue
of the horses. Lands contiguas have greatly
enhanced in value and the Companies yearly
declare, dividend Of about l2l.2 per cent,
besides retaining large FUND to rebuild or
relay the track, when the plank wear or rot out.
We commend the subject to the careful consid.
Grafton of the en,erprising farmers between
"The cost of plank Road will necessarily
vary with every locality. rha cost Of plank
and the grading Of the Road, must both be
taken into the account. On tho above Road
from Syracuse towards Sacketts Hdr6our)
hemlock plank were used-in some Of the
Southern States it is called Spruce pine.. II
cost delivered on the Road FIVE dullars per
thousand feet, inch or board measure. single
track was laid eigh, feet wide. The Road was
graded of sufficient width for two tracks, the
centre being raised three or four inches, and
the plank laid on one side the centre, the earth
on the other side being. on a level with the top
of the plank so as TO allow teams meeting each
other to pass withou, difficulty.
.For one mile of single track 8 feet wide
and 3 inches thick. cost of plank 8 S< 3i4 $3.50
(No. #. in | mile)=l26.72O e.. board measure
are required. Two sills u a would add
2S4S4@ 52s0=l4OaO f., making in all
10000 f, and costing at FIVE d"llars per thou
sand feet S7oi The laying and grading will
cos, from 80 CHS. to 81 pr rod, or from S96 to
$500 pr mile: Say, add slOo pr mile Tor gate
houses. The total cost pr mile would be from
$1,000 to 1924. A Road 8 #. wide, OF
inch plank, with 8 sils inches square, and
running from Rome to Oswego (where hem
lock- plank are worth $3.50 To 81 per N.Y. Is
estimated to cos. for GO miles $4,000, or
81 $50 pr mile--beng laid on an old turnpike
road, hut little grading was necessary.
"'rhc most approved plan Is single track of
8 fl wide of inches plank and with only 2
slls each four inches square. The sillS are laid
lens,bwise with tho Road and nearly II,
and The plank laid upon them across the Road
and at right angles 10 its length. The EARN
must be fully up to the Planks at every P''n''
for if any empty space is left beneath them, the
confined air will cause the rapid decay of the
plank. II is not necessary to pin or spike the
planks to the sls, the weight being sufficient
to keep them from. A coating of sand should
be spread upon the upper surface of the plank
an inch thick. Perfect drainage Is important.
"The duration Of Plank Roads is from to
10 years or perhaps IL. 1t Is regulated ny
their decay from rot and not from their surface
wear which is very small II is better to have
slight undulatons in the Road on account oi
easy drainage, but the ascent should no where
he over 800 #. to the mile if it can we'll be
avoided, or one foot in a rod"