Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-08-26
Railroad Accidents.

We who sit at home propose great many wise
remedies and preventatives for the railroad anu
steamboat murders SO frequent upon the roaos ana
rivers OF the North and West, and we declaim most
elouuently against the reckless speed and spirit OF
racino which are believed to lead to such deplorahe
results but for all that we will venture to say that
nine.tenths of us when go from home, WILL IN all
cases take the FAST nay very fastest line that can be
cot in Interference to all Others and will feel pleased in
direct proportion to the " time" made. Of this no.
BODY can doubt for moment, who will take the
trouble of listening to the conversation of crowd OF
travellers. Rapidity, running & like smoke is al
WAYS matter of praise, and slow or moderate run
ming of condemnation While this is the case, and 1t
always will be- safety must sought IN such appllan
ces and regulations will enable rapid running to be
done without risk and not in any futile attempt at re-
turning to slower rate which the tendency ofthngs
must render impracticabe. Telegraphic communi-
cations along single tracks, and double tracks on all
main lines, that at all justify the expense, active
and efficient watchmen at all points of danger, and,
above all things the avoidance Of curves on every
new road and their removal on every old one, are
among the measures which suggest themselves. -
Roads, too should be fenced in, not to be at the
mercy of every suicidal cow that may choose tc
geek death on the track and throw the cars off, as
one did on Northern road week or two since
causing several deaths.
The matter of curves is beginning to attract the
attention which it deserves as q fruitful source o
danger; for half the accidents, if not more, Occur
when coming round short curves. In the power o
road for the transaction of business. also, curve
are as important an item as grades though accoun
has only been made of the latter, and the implnge
mcnt of the rails and rolling stock is immeasurab
greater, causing immense deterioration of both
We were struck by the extreme frequency OF shor
turns on the Central Road It seems TO that a
every point where we it from the stage, it
making a sharp turn ard often upon the top of a
embankment w not certain as to the exter
to which this feature might have been avoided, bu
it is evident that road so laid out-perhaps un;
vodably- cannot hope to compete in speed, safety
cheapness of maintenance with the straight, lev
lines running along the seaboard, as ours down tn
way do IT, instead Of being over sixty miles shor
err our line by the Wilmington and Raleigh ar
Wilmington and Manchester Railroads mar
longer than the upper route, it could, on account
its superior grade and comparative freedom fro
curves, still carry through passengers quicker chea
er and safer than any rival.
The construction and regulations of roads mu
be brought up to the standard of speed for it is
to impossible to bring the speed down. The Compar
that tries to do SO will find all the travel leaving the
line to 90 by its break neck rival, and among tt
first to 20 would be those quiet people, who, VIII
at home, declaim against reckless running