Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-03-10
steamer to Havana.


VIZ nbl;sb the following report for the benefit OF
orr readers II would have afforded much pleasure
have given it place several days earlier, had the
been handed in TO us. We copy from the
Herald of Saturday last -
A REPORT
s,..o.,,,,ttee In relation to steam communication
VI het1yeen the ports OF Havana and Wilmington.
tn the President and Members Of the -
rNr1EMEN:-The Committee to whom has been referred
letter Capt Owen Burns addressed 60 your
tween the ports Of Havana and Wilmington respectfully
from all the information obtained, they have no hes
in recommending project to the favorable consld
Grafton of your body and should you approve "uiu
the cooperation of people in consunmaung tne o'
proposed communication with the Island of Cuba would be
of great advantage merchants as Would @
field of enterprise with which but few OF them are
yet acquainted To our Rice planters VINO It would
open outlet, and offer permaneh! anu Of Meth
the sale of Bce The on mus Lard and
other articles of the farm fast becoming mucn TOO
nav bv transfer to other home markets. less
and the project commends itself to him with equal not
End Cantalistare all equally involved So those of
our citizens and deem incumbent upon tnem 10
the proposed undertaking. and do all their power TO
for it successful issue. ,,:
IF our Rail Road and water communication now eadng
to the interior of the State and offering but limited means
for the development OF our resources, orng 70 t 81
products than required to supply tne a.
what may be expected when our river az
compete-when Steamboats, Railroads and Pankroaos
uariy when the Central Railroad shall have taken its giant
strides through State of Tennessee and rests on the
1l t the results which
from these and by the beaver-like manner IN
to the have caused the Senate of United States
to pause in admiration of such ndomitabe perseverance,
and to second the exeron of citizens for the
of such great and important work. that august body has
extended helping hand-the arm of which we trust VIII
be strengthened y the House of Representatives ana maze
efectual by Executive favor. 500
North yet but little credit for her ability to
supply the wants of large portion OF the world with PoV
IONS and to fill its work shops with valuable vegetable ana
mineral productions ready for the hands OF the chemist
artzan Her yet but slight
y deveope while it is deemed the duty of her sons to
every plan calculated to exhibit her means 1t is
equally them to assist enterprise
which have tendency to markets for the dposa
and consumption of her products.
Our State paying immense tribute to northern ports
for the privilege of shipping her produce through them TO
en day 10 look well into this matter and cannot,
by direct trade retain for our own benefit the amount
which drained from by those who have SO little I'M
mediate interest in welfare
Independent of little commercial reciprocity with
op We
but these promise to be inadequate to our demands
time has arrived only the people of Wilmington,
but awho dependent on her for market or an outlet for
sion Of her and with such immense
supply foreign demands with market already open for the
we have facilities directly cbtan-and with the prospect
apd increase of home supply and demand apparent
establishment of Steam communication between the
ports of Havana and Wimingl Such an attempt-the
committee of opinion, that will not but the
rary prove of great advantage to henteress of the State
and to all who may aid in the enterprise
which deemed worthy of serious consdera
to those who will view the undertaking in other than
remunerative point of view While doing SO, should
sister city of Charleston be referred to- committee dis
claim any intentional dparagemen her interests while,
the time, should any comparison incline to the favor
to which it is entitled by selfevdent truth
The question may be very readily and justly asked upon
what grounds committee propose to show, independent
commercial advantages line of Steamers Havana
is to be made profitable to Stockholders We answer that
pays 20 per while ali her fuel has be brought
Chaeston has coal fields within her immediate reach
while we have them in nexhaustibe profusionthe quality
supplies had delivered here about onehaf the
price paid for the article in Charleston Independent of
this would have the advantages Of fresh water which
important to all vessels Especially Steamers) ply
well known, has highly beneficial effect the bot
of vessels in preventing their becoming foul
On and greater durability With these i'm
porant points in our favor the Steamer to Charleston
Compared with any line North ofus, (say from New York
which would appreciated Mail transportation and
travel would, also be less empestuous and dangerous
that of Florida and in the item of Insurance the charge
should be proportonaby less Passengers the
reason be saving of at least
hours in time and $40 in travelling expenses our favor
between the lines from Charleston and this point The diff
ference in the sea route from Havana to Charleston 81
miles of Railroad avoided this route while the
60 miles farther, before stated the distanc
from Wilmington to Havana, via Key West being $50 miles
while from Charleston it is $50 miles.
However much such communication is proposed ma,
be calculated to promote the interests of the people
hat linn
travel leading from this place to the North would be grea
by increase of passengers would therefor
suggest to their directors and stockholders its favorable
S sideration.
Your committee do feel authorized to recommend an
definite step for the Chamber of Commerce to taken com
uniting its members to assist in this undertaking, but woul
that some gentlemen be appointed for the pun
OF ascertaning what amount of money can be raised
n our citizens for the proposed object.
1t is estimated that suitable Steamer will abou
Sl5UOUO-I,OOO tons measuremen-400 capacity TO
freghdrawng 10 feet water-with sufficient steam powe
= to make her average two trips per month.
Based upon these views your committee would recommen
n for consideration the following resolutions:
ls The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. being salts
fled of the many advantages from of Steam
between the ports of Havana and Wilmington recon-
mend the project the serious consideration of orr neon
They DESIRE aso that the people of Havana and adacen
w. Islands, should be awakened interest in the prc
posed line and that the directors stockholders on tn
routes OF travel now existing between this point and tn
Northern States, should alo give it their support The
DESIRE Also that the attention of capitalist abroad should
arrested in its favor feeling confident that promises
some and certain return for any investment that NAV
made to effect its completion
I'd That from this Chamber committee of three be ar
pointed by the President act with two Others
citizens of Wilmington bat members of this body an
by them selected to ascertain without delay what
OF Stock will be taken in furtheraoce object
Sd. AS Capt. Owen Burns about VISITING tho Nor+l
and has politely rendered to this Chamber his gratutou
services obtaining information relative the cost SC
this with that he