The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-08-14
Railroad Survey.
To Me President and Directors of Tie
Greenpifte and French Broad Raiiroad

"ENiLhMHN' nave the honor TO lay be-
fore you the following report OF the survey
of the mountain division of your road:
After making a thorough reconnaissance
OF all that section Of country, lying between
the town of Columbus, on the east, and
Butt mountain, on the west, its Topographic
cal features indicated the possibility of
three routes across the great spur ofthe Blue
Ridge, which divides the waters of Green
and Iacolet rivers, aud constitutes the prin-
clpaI obstacle to the passage of the Blue
Kidge with railroad line. We will dis
t'nguish the three routes by the momencla,
tnres OF l'acolet, Towards Gap, and North
Iryon. Two OF these routes have been sur
veyed. On the oath of October last or.
Sanlzed corps Of Engineers, and commenc.
ed neid operations near Columbus, which
Is situated Immediately upon the western
extremity OF the Cowpen ridge With
view OF passing up Pacoet river n maxi
mum grade Of ~ feet per mile was project
cd, tracing the line along the slopes of the
south side of Tryou mountain cutting
through the high ridges and filing up the
deep rayines which make down from il.
After extending the line 10 point opposite
the Towards Gap, where the line through
that Gap will defect from the Pacole, line.
1t was deemed advisable to discontinue
operations on this side OF the mountaiu. and
move over to Butt mountain, that rs much
oi the line might be completed OH the north
side OF the mountain rs possible whilst tue
weather WAS favorable
Commencing at Butt mountain. the line
was carried in 4 southcrly direction. desccn-
ding at the rate of 60 feet per mile, TO a
level grade across small branch of Lau.
rel Creek thence ascending upon 40 feet
grade to gap in the ridge at John Ne.
MINIS, which divides the waters of Laurel
and lleatherly creeks; thence descending
along the slopes of the west side of Heath.
erly ridge, at tho rate of 60 feet per mile to
point near Green river, passing around
the end OF the ridge upon a curve of ESQ
ieet radius; thence upon easy and undua.
ting grades descending along the slopes of
the Green river hills TO the crossing of that
river, at an elevation Of 81 feet, aud u bridge
go feet long
Up to this point the line has been some
what cIrcutous, attaining length of four
miles $3.50 feet, and descent of only l42
feet III that distance, when actually, upon n
straight line, the distance will not exceed
20 miles. | am decidedly of the opinion.
that the line back to Laurel creek is sus,
c'puO.c OF very great improvement in dis.
iancc. By eevatng the bridge over Green
river 20 feet higher than the present cross
ing, thc high ridge which divides the wa
ters OF that rivcr and Laurel creek NAV be
'nI through, or rcsor, to tuuuciiI . may be
necessary 10 accomplish that OBJECT; there
~ shortening the distance from Bait noun
tam L the river at least two miles. From
Green rver the line is traced upon level
and ascending grades Of 10 feet per mile,
to gap IN the ridge which divides the
waters OF Camp creek and Con's spring
OFanchi thence along the south side of Camp
creek to level grade across small branch
winch heads near PAGES gap; thence ascen-
HnS sand branch al the rate OF 40 feet per
mile to PAGES gap, in the ridge which ,li-
Woes the waters Of GGeeu aud pacolct NV
erS. Nj three of the routes occupy the
same ground up 10 this point, a distance Of
miles 1910 feet from Butt mountain.
Here the Haco!ct line falls into tho head of
Joeis branch, descending at tLe rate Of -
ieel per mile 70 Paco!ct river, thence down
'hc mountain slopes of The north side Of that
nrcr TO lis Intersection with the line near
Towards gap.
Ihe whole length Of this line from Butt
mountain is lq miles CSC feet maximum
grade going east 10 feet, and coming west
y feet per mile. The minimum radius #
curvature will be C2O feet. The approx
mate cost reconstruction will be rs follows:
Graduation, bridging and masonry, :oI57oo 90
Survsstruc;Ugc, w.,h lg.E we..h.us
50 tOus per NILE lS3 Sol ID,
pyPois. tu:mous, water stations,
l-uS H-,r.ug and contingencies 100000 90
TOTAL cost, slalo-oo nn
Average cost per mile, Ul $50 90
The Howard Gap line defects at PAGES
Cap from the IAcoict line; passing through
the rdso which divides the waters Of Jool's
branch and Cove creek, it follows the creek
upon an ascending grade Of so feet per
mile to Wol l.t creek The incleuency
o! The weather prevented = further pfosecu.
uou Of the work during the winter.
Jic.d operations were suspended on the
-Oih of December last and motlesumed nm.
q. the fist OF June, when the line crom
O,i lit creek WAS extended 10 Howard,
Cap on level and ascending grades of so
feet per mile; thence along tic siopes and
benches Of the south side Of Tryou Noun.
.an, ascending at the rate Of I2O feet per
mile TO Ihompson's Cop-thc eastern ex-
ucmIiy ot the mountain division. The
length q! this line Is 10 miles Maximum
grade 10 Icet Per mile, (only used from
Towards Gap to lhomsous Gap.
Minimum rad.U' ct curvature from Butt