The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-07-03
steam Line between Norfolk and
washington, North Carolina.

Arrangements might be made with line
IF steamers between Norfolk and CONNER
cial point North, to ship any produce des-
lined North, from the steam line from Wash
;noton on its arrival in our harbor, at a
cbeaner rate than the same produce could be
shinned North from Washington by sailing
vessels including extra insurance; and still
nav the steamer from Washington, So per
bsie-the freight on a bale Of cotton by sail
mo vessel being 81, and insurance II per
cent Freight from Washington to Norfork
GOV % from Norfolk to New York, S | so to
iei75. probably, and not more than or
Insurance. For through cotton less freight
will be asked, and from Washington by this
team route it can be placed in New York or
any of the Northern cities before it can reach
Der cock Bar. or as soon, by sailing vessels;
certainly before it could get to sea. Other
kinds of produce of all descriptions nearly,
ran be brought by this line, naval stores from
Washington and grain from Hyde. Former
10 the freight came from Greenvile, above
Washington, where the Tar river makes a
southern bend, in stern wheel steamer which
van in 1860. Such a boat will be much
needed as an adjunct to the line from Wash
;noton to our harbor. She would pay well
as such connecting link, between Gieenville
and the various points on the river up to Tar
boro--gor example, Benboro, Falkland, Pen
ny Hill and Sparta--from which points pro-
duce is brought to Greenville and thence to
Washington That such a stern wheel beat
will nav, has been demonstrated. s.ra
II is not essential, however, to the success
of the line from Washington to Norfolk that
boat should run to Tarboro' from Washing
ton as most of the produce is conveyed in
fiat boat. The farmers and merchants above
Tarboro where the river makes a bend and
runs west the terminus of railroad connec
ting with the Wilmington and Weldon Rail
,,a,l. say, give them line from Washing
i.u and they viii patronize it. The farmers
desire a certain, safe and expeditions route to
send their produce to market, aud the mer-
chant in order that he may receive his goods
quickly and certainly, without vexatious de-
laws on the railroad and detention at the ter
minus of each road. Much of the merchan
disc would certainly go by this steam line to
Washington; and there are, besides the points
ou the river we have already named, country
stores contiguous to the river on both sides,
which would make use Of this route to receive
their goods from Norfolk. re
If the boat brings half the quantity which
the barges brought in 1860, $4,000 will be
realized for freights; $4,000 on 5000 bales
OF cotton, at So, and other freights, 900.
These estimates it will be remembered, are
based on the actual operations OF the barges
in 1860, and exclude passengers
From a knowledge of the country, aud its
ability to sustain such a line, it is the opinion
Of those thus capable of Judging, that the
merchandise and passengers for twelve months
will pay the expenses Of the boat. The line
should be started by the first Of August, or
sooner 1t would prevent competition, and
efeetually stop line of opposition steamers
outside to any of the cities, and be in time for
the merchants to forward their goods by the
hue, and for the farmers to procure their bag
ying, rope, and plantation supplies.
A steamer above Washington, we have
said, would be a desirable adjunct to this line.
She should be ola capacity to carry $50 bales
Of cotton-12O feet long, and drawing not
over three feet when loaded. Such steam
er was on that route in 1860, but did not go
beyond Greenvlle, while shecould have run
up as high as Tarboro' Snch a steamer
would give additional dispatch, and ty con-
sequence the freight and all the merchandise
of that entire region could be certainly Sc
cured. Such boat in 1860, from data be-
fore us, earned upwards OF $1,000. She
charged for passengers 4 cents a mile, for
bale Of cotton 25 cents, and for barrels 10
cents each AT this time freights between
the same points on cotton are 40 to so cents a
bale, barrels 80 to 40 cents. I'd. "a .a y
Freights are now high while wages have
not increased Besides these advantages
there would be the corporation of certain
hat-boat mer- who had heretofore been strong
opponents. gsl ~ 4.51i Aat
The establishment of both boats to run in
connection, it is thought, by the views be-
fore us, will eventually pay better than any
cow running to North Carolina. and be a
valuable feeder to any line from Norfolk to
any northern city.