Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-12
gotal AMI YsrsonaL


gentlemen proceeded thiher, yesterday afternoon,
10 witness the operation The commandment OF
the station, Captain Pauding, together with other
officers, were likewise present. About five o'clock,
the workmen commenced Running the metal into
the mould, which had been sunk in trench for
that purpose. The contents olive furnaces were
required for the cylinder. Nearly two-thirds Of
the requisite quantity of material had been poured
into the mould when suddenly stream OF II
burst upward 10 the wooden braces and rafters,
thirty or forty feet from the ground. The volume
ofburning liquid increased; and but few seconds
elapsed before the roof was in flames, which rapid
" extended over the building, which is sixty by
one hundred feet in dimensions.
The bursting was caused by the generation OF
steam in the mould, the sand composing which
was unintenlionaly damp.
The spectators and workmen, directly they saw
the eruption retreated; and when, fortunately, all
of them were out Of harms way, the mould burst
with dull, heavy sonnd heaving up the burning
contents, and scattering them over the floor The
engineer prudently let of the steam from the en-
CINE, TO guard against further damage.
The entire woodwork Of the foundry, including
the roof was destroyed, Notwithstanding the ac-
tive exertions Of the fremen and the hundreds OF
persons employed in the yard.
The model and finishing department, which adj
joins the foundry, was saved from damage, partic.
uar attention having been bestowed upon il.
Several Of the persons working at the fire, were
cut on their heads and hands by pieces of slate
which tell from the foundry roof.
The loss to the government is consderable; not
only in the building, but in machinery and moulds.
Metropolitan Railroad Comp any.-We have
received from Mr.. J. w. Decide the secretary,
copy of the first annual report of the president
and directors to the stockholders of the Metropoi
tan Railroad Company.
From the engineers report, which accompanies
the publication, it becomes at once apparent that
one great advantage to be gained by the construc-
ton of the Metropolitan railroad is the saving of
distance between the tide-waters Of the Atlantic
and our national capitol and the great west. The
perfecting Of such route has long and earnestly
engaged public attention, and been regarded as
desideratum worthy of the greatest efforts, 10y
connection of this road with the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad and through that road, the Pitts
burgh and Connelsvills, and the Cleveland and
Pittsburgh roads, the shortest existing Tor known
projected) route will be formed between the nav-
gable tide waters of the Atlantic and the city OF
Cleveland or Lake Erie, whence extend the great
lines penetrating the far west.
The distance from Georgetown 10 the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad is Alt miles from Georgetown
TO the city of Frederick, ATS miles; and from
Georgetown to Hagerstown, 77.2 miles. The max
o. Caas nd
from Frederick TO Hagerstown, sixtysix feet per
mile.
The estimated aggregate cost of the road, and
appurtenances, from Georgetown 10 Hagerstown,
is S3,7l5000, the proportion from Georgetown TO
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad being 81 $50 900.
The more striking advantages of the connection
of this road with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
may be stated as follows, we learn from the re-
port:
Il makes an immediate saving OF distance, over
the first eighteen miles Of The present travelled
route from the seat OF government 10 the west
and northwest, Of forty-two and half miles.
Taking into account the effect of high grades, and
greater amount OF curvature, upon the cost Of
transportation, the saving Of distance may be al
once practically doubled
II occupies a route naturally indicated by the
formation Of the country, and the direction OF
travel and which cannot be supplanted.
II affords the best means Of developing the com
mercal and local interests of the cities of George
town and Washington; and
II will be an important suxiliary TO the general
government, radiating from the Capitol, and afford
the means Of expeditions and economical trans
mission Of intelligence, the mails, munitions OF
war, &c.
The present travelled distance between Cleve-
land and Washington is 5l3 miles, and the time
~ hours. BY the Metropolitan route, &c. the
distance will be reduced 10 44l6 miles, and the
tims--supposing a speed Of 81 miles per hour,
which will DO easily attainabe on an improved
hne-will be reduced 10 twelve hours, or one-hali
the present time.
The report sets forth, at large, the numerous
advantages which will result from the construc-
lion of the road and among them may be men
TONED those Of character adapted 10 the more
immediate and every day wants OF the cities Of
Washington and Georgetown; namely, greater
facilities for the supply of their daily markets and
the greater variety OF the products furnished.
Five hundred thousand dollars have been sub
tcriDeu tOWnrus Tue COnsuuCtion Vi inc nncuopof
i,an railroad; but this amount is not considered
sufficient TO justify commencement ofthe work
The engineers are now engaged in locating the
road.
The books are still open for subscriptions.
They who desire 10 make investments will, o.
course, seek the necessary Information in the
premises, which may be found in the report &c
which we have referred.
Tho Kirkwood House, corner Of Pennsylva
mia avenue and Twelfth street, though opened a'
late as the fourth Of July last, already enjoys .
large share Of the public patronage. The proprie
tors, the Messrs Kirkwood, are in all respects cal
culated for their business apart from their long ex
perience in bookkeeping. We shall ever be glss
TO hear of their prosperity, being well assured tina
their personal as well as business merits deserve
success.
Barnum is Coming.--We saw, yesterday, un
loading in front Of the express Office, five or sii