Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-03-30
The Panama Railroad.

The Panama Railroad.
Tho following history and description Of
the new Highway of Nations across the 18TH
mus, is from the Ne,o York Herald:
The attention Of the world has long been turn
ed toward the Isthmus as q way of shorten
ing the route TO the Indies Various pro-
tlects have been conceived with this end in
view. In January. 1895, a grant was made
to Charles Baron de Thierry, sovereign chief
of New Zealand, by the President and Depu-
ties of the Republic of New Granada for the
construction Of a canal between the two
oceans--to connect the Bay of Panama and
Leinin Bay, by way of the Rio Granie and
Chagreo river--the canal to be adapted to
vessels drawing ten feet water, and to be call
ed the Panama Canal. The grant to extend
over period of fifty years.
In 1896, Colonel Biddle, brother of Nchol-
as Biddle, procured grant for railroad
macadamized road, subject to the non-fufl-
ment Of Thierrys grant. In 1887, Biddle
died. In 1898, the New Granadian govern
ment failed to carry out its contract with
Therry, and made grant for 90 years, to
Salamon q Co, for a railroad or canal. This
contract fell through.
Ii was not until American capital and
American enterprise took hold Of the project
that this great work was carried to a success
ful concusion-a work that had long agita-
ted the hopes and fears of the commercial
world. In June, 1850, the Panama Railroad
Company was organized under charter from
the State of New York. In 1850 a contract
was made between the New Grenadian gov
ernment and John l.. Stephens, granting the
privilege for forty-nne years of constructing
and working the railroad. The government
reserved the right to resume possession at
the end of twenty years, on payment OF five
millions of dollars, or at the expiration of
thirty years, on paying two millions of dol
lars. The company pays to the government
three per cent, of the profits of the enter
prise. No taxes are to be imposed on pro-
perty of the company. Government stores to
be carried free.
In June, 1850, the first ground was broken
on the road The first opening of any por-
ton of the road took place in March, 1852,
when trains were first run to Gatun, dis
tance of seven miles In the July following,
the road was extended to Barbacoa, dis
,onco Of % miles. In February, 1854 it was
.ance nn"sS a. 20 obispo, 81 miles in length. One
train day. except Sundays, is run through
each way the whole length of the road. now
extending from ocean to ocean, distance of
! 4S miles. The first % miles, which were, to
a great extent, built upon piles, are now filled
| in, and the rains of the past season have not
caused any material settling of the work on
| the eastern or northern sides.
The equipments in power consists Of siS
heavy and four light locomotives. The ne
cessary machine shops. &C., are now tempo
rarilv constructed Of wood but it is intended
to substitute iron, as also for the bridges
/ This is necessary in climate where wood
| lasts but short time. Going from the At
lantic, the highest grade is ftty-three feet tC
the mile. From the Pacific, sixty feet. Th,
worst radius Of curve is six hundred feet. A
the highest point. the summit, the road lie:
two hundred and fifty feet above the level o
the sea. The fare now charged is S2j, and
ten cents per pound extra for baggage. Tn,
| Freight is rated in three classes, the loves,
being $50 per ton, and the highest 500
The company has now about 5000 labor
ers engaged-wages eighty cents day anC
found. A police force of forty men has here
tofore been maintained by tho company OF
the line of the road for protection agans
robbers. The greater part of these have beer
exterminated or banished, and the force il
now reduced to twelve men. They are undeI
the commanI of the indomitable Rom Run
ucls.
At Aspinwall the company owns a harbo
from northery winds. A few weeks ago
violent norther dismasted n vessel and tor
away portion of the company's wharf an,
the building on the same. At sufficient ex
pense nreak-water may probably be built t
improve this feature.
The charter now obtained requires the Pa
cfc terminus to be at Panama. New condi
items will have to be made before it can b
carried farther.
At the Panama end of the road the facili
ties for freighting may be estimated from til
description of the transit of the excursio
party from the railroad to the town, an
thence to the propeller Columbus, in the bay
First, three -fourths or a mile of carriage t
small boats, then one and half miles i
small boats to the receiving vessel. All thi
handling of merchandise must be vastly ea
pensive.
Hence the necessity is quite apparent ft
changing the terminus of the road, now b
the charter located at Panama. The con
pany have purchased three small islands at
distance of one and half or two miles irol
the main land south Of Panama (thc roa
now entering the city on the North side
where sufficient water and protection affords
good harbor. To these islands the road wi
probably be carried. This is the only exp,
dent short of n basin in the bay and u It'd;
lockage, not impracticahle, perhaps. whel
the tide rises and falls daily twenty-five fse
The consumed capital is now six millions e
Seven millions are said to be wanted Doub,
less seven millions will be required before II
harbor at Aspinwall is protected, and the ire
and stone buildings and wharves provided,
Before the roadway is made solid and secur
and before the Panama terminus is carri,
to the islands and the necessary applianc
are located there for freighting bushes
= probably ten millions will be required, po
sibly twelve.