Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-03-05

! present line, by the former line IL was nearly
81 miles.
At the time of the public letting, in April,
several heavy sections were let out, and since
that time most of the remaining sections have
been put under contract upon favorable terms,
generally lower than my estimate. AT this
time one tenth of the amount of work between
Loudon and Knoxville is completed, and three
fourths of the remainder is in the hands of the
contractors and is progressing with encouraging
rapidity.
In May the contract for the Tennessee bridge
and approaches was awarded to Messrs. James
4 Gettys Co.. but owing to a want of apprecia-
tiOn of the magnitude of their undertaking, the
contractors did not commence with vigor until
too late in the season to prepare the foundations
in the river. On this account no masonry has
yet been laid, the time however has been i'm
proved in making preparation for vigorous
prosecution of the work as soon as the season of
low water arrives. One fourth of the requisite
quantity of stone has been quarried and cut,
and large force of mechanics is now employ
ed. The stone prepared for the work is blue
limestone, and of superior quality. The quar-
ry is upon the bank of the river, above the
bridge, and is very easy of access. The bed
of the river where the bridge crosses is solid
rock, and in the deepest channel there is not
over four and one half feet of water in the sum-
mer. These facilities, and the assurances given
by the contractors, satisfy me that the ma
SOnry will be completed in time for the super
structure to be put on and the bridge finished
by the next annual meeting. By that time, the
road to Knoxville can easily be finished and in
readiness for the track, and the first day of June
following may be safely assumed as the farthest
date for the opening of the road to Knoxville,
always provided that the calls upon the stock
subscription are promptly paid.
As the bridge over the Tennessee will be a
very heavy structure, and most important inter
ests depend upon its speedy construction, brief
description will not be thought inappropriate.
The bridge will be 1894 feet in length, support
ed by 10 piers and two abutments of first class
cut stone masonry. The height of grade above
low water is II feet, the clear span over the
steamboat channel is l6O feet the other 10
spans l47 feet each. The steamboat span is
elevated above the remainder of the bridge 20
feet the height of its over truss; its lower chords
are on a level with the top chords of the other
spans; the track will therefore be laid upon the
lower floor Of the Steamboat span, and upon the
HOc ~ do fbn
bridge is level, the width Is feet, the height of
truss 20 feet-the sides will be weather-boarded,
and the roof covered with tin, and the whole
painted with three coats of good paint. The
plan adopted is How's improved truss.
The superstructure will be built by Messrs.
Maxwell, Briggs & Co., well known as expert
enced bridge builders upon northern and wes-
tern roads. They are now erecting shops at
Knoxville for the preparation of the iron work
of the bridge, and every move made by them
evinces a determination, not only to have the
superstructure in readiness as soon as the ma
sonry is completed, but to build model bridge,
and one that will be creditable to the road and
to the State.
The only contingency that can delay the pro-
gress of the work or its completion by the time
specified, is failure on the part of the Stock
holders to pay their calls promptly. The pune
tuality with which the 25 per cent call of the
past year has been paid, is good evidence that
there is but little to fear from this cause. There
are, however, some exceptions; several stock
holders, who were looked upon as the most re-
liable, having failed entirely to pay, but as the
necessity for the speedy completion of the road
becomes more and more apparent, and as they
see the work of grading rapidly progressing, and
the way preparing for the Locomotive, it is
hoped and expected that they will no longer
delay.
Much work has been done and is still doing
at Lo udon, for the purpose of facilitating the
transit Of goods and produce between the Rail
Road and the river. A brick warehouse, POI
feet long by 81 feet wide, has been erected up
on the bank of the river, at an elevation of so
feet above low water mark - ''ii i"'iineu
plane, with two tracks, is now being construct
ed from the end of the warehouse to the waters
edge, for the present to be operated by horse
power. This will enable the Company to re-
ceive and deliver freights on board the fatboats
and steamboats, free of all charge for drayage
or forwarding. A capaciOus and convenient
wharf has been built by the Company, ana is
free to all craft for loading and unloading
These structures were undertaken for the Pur-
pose of securing the class of freights which have
hitherto passed by way of Chattanooga, and in
CONSCIENCE of the omission of drayage and for
warding charges there can be no doubt that
the greater portion of these freights will for
the future pass over our road; in fact the piles
of freight now in the Loudon warehouse show
that the change has already been effected.
A steamboat is now running in connection
with the road and making daily trips between
Loudon and Knoxville, and railroad agency
is established at the latter place; freights are
received and delivered by the Company, at their
warehouse in Knoxville, and are transported to
and from any point accessible by railroad, in
Georgia or South Carolina, free of all charges
except those specified in the published rates OF
freight of the various connecting roads. AS an
additional inducement to secure the trade the