Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-03-29
THE GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

This great work, now in progress in the neigh
boring Province of Canada, exceeds in magni-
tude and Importance any project upon this con-
tinent unless we except the Pacific Railroad
across our own country. The scheme embraces
at present / APO miles Of railroad, part (which
is now in operation, the remainder under con-
tract, part of this already sub-let and in pro-
cess of construction. Since The scheme was
formed, which at first contemplated according to
the prospectus, only l,ll2 miles, many miles
have been added, and there are yet several roads
asking to be included in the design. Thus pp-
pearances favor the idea that there will be but
one Railway Corporation in Canada; for the
charter of the Grand Trunk permits it to incor-
porate within itself, by purchase any road
which intersects it throughout its immense
length.
The location of the upper portion Of the road
is unsettled, and great variety of negotiations
are in progress concerning it. The line rs de-
fined by The prospectus of the Company, how
ever, has its commencement or upper end ut
Sarnia, at the southern outlet Of Lake Huron
Thence it extends to Toronto, distance of l72
miles from Toronto it follows the north shore
of the Lake and the ST. Lawrence, thro' Belle
vile and Kingston to Montreal 345. AT Belle
vile, about 50 miles above Kingston, this line is
intersected by very long branch coming down
from Penetangushine, OH the Georgian Bay
through Peterborough about l40 miles. at
Montreal the road is to cross the st. Lawrence
upon magnificent tubular iron bridge, costing
some S7,5O0, 900, a mile and Il quarter in length,
or, including the solid embanKments at the ends,
two miles This bridge will be uncQualled
among the great works of the world. 1t will
have in the center an elevation of 100 feet above
the channel which is attained by an easy grade
on each side. Twenty-Five massive piers, with
spaces of $50 feet between, support the struct.
ure, and the most skillfu arrangements arc made
to protect it against the ice which in the spring
comes crashing and piling down the river with
awful power. 1t was first proposed to build the
bridge of wood, but that plan has been abandon.
ed for the more permanent one, nOtwilhstand
ing the vast additional expense Having cross
ed the river, the road follows the line of the st
Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad, now owned by
the Grand Trunk Company, to Richmond, where
it diverges, ,one branch continuing on to Portland
while the other turning toward the river, touches
it at New Liverpool, opposite Quebec and ther
follows its course to Trois Pistoles, at thu
mouth of the st. Lawrence, distance Of Is;
miles below Quebec. The st. Lawrence enc
Atlantic Road, from Montreal to Portland, has
been open throughout its length for nearly
year. Tne road from Que bee to Richmond i
nearly ready for the iron. The section from To
ronto to Sarnia is contracted TO be built imme
diately, and one-half this distance, from Toronto
to Stratford has been constructing during th'
past season.
The capital stock Of this Company is abou
flO,OOO,000 sterling, or about $48,O00,0O0.-
Of this sum ST 100000 are reserved TO pay 70
works already built or contracted for by othe
companies. Half the remainder is issued il
. shares of stock of Eos sterling each-but onl.
one.half Of this amount is to be issued at pres
ent, the contractors having agreed to the othe
! half, although they have engaged to give tn
shareholders the chance 10 take up two-thrd
of this moety, on or before the first OF July
f 1854 About onc.quarter of the $3700O,000
r issued in debentures of the Company, payab'
in 25 years, and convertible into shares befor
January ], 1863. The remaining quarter is j
debentures, convertible into Bonds of the Pre-
: vincial Government, payable in 20 years, wit
interest at six per cent.
In order to assist the Company in raisin
: stock, the Provincial Government makes to it
d loan of flO,50O sterling upon every $4,000
: of paid-up stock, the road being pledged as $,
:, curity So much difficulty was experienced
/ obtaining subscriptions that the Governmer
}. has anticipated little, and has issued $4,000
900 of its debentures, the Company guarantee
: ing to pay the interest upon them until the con
G pletion Of the road. Now every stockholde
AZ. r r.. al nfcr ~ tan