The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-02-06

after the commencement OF the year it became
apparent that policy would have to be at
once adopted Of the strictest economy in man
aeement and expenditure. No work was &C
yation OF the roadway and track rendered actu-
ally and indlsponsably necessary. With the
exception Of the cost Of stone abutment near
Kineyille for the protection Of the embank.
ment against the freshets of the Congaree, and
for the erection at tho several points as stated
in the appended summary OF section houses
for the operatives, the whole expenditure has
been in The direction Indicated. The con.
sumption Of timber has been considerable, put
it was unavoidable, for the condition Of the
rail in different localities upon, each OF tne
divisions the trestling across the Edlsto anu
over small openings elsewhere, made 1t On
absolute necessity; besides, large quantity
was required for duplicating the saPerstruce-
ure on the rebuilt section of the Columbia
division, destroyed in 1865, and which was
hastily restored in the latter part OF the same
year, it will be remembered, under very en-
barrassing circumstances. The material we
were compelled to accept at that time was not
OF the best description and consequently needs
continual replacement.
The aggregate expenditure, however, for ,
whole department exceeds that OF 1867 but lit
tie, say $3601 IL.
The following parcels Of new rails were re-
ceived during the past year:
5S5 tons, SIS lbs per yard, in February.
9O9 tons, Sc lbs per yard, in August
1O1 tons, go lbs. (steel headed), in September.
sS9 tons total.
Abortion of the steel-headed rails he's been
laid down on the bridge across the Savannah
river, and on the curves in the streets OF Au-
gusta, say about 81 tons, and small por tion
upon the Charleston division, say about IA
- tho T6S6rVeQ
curves between 133d mile and Hamburg.
or the 1888 tons, IS and Sc lbs. per yard, the
distribution has been as follows, say on the
Charleston division. n........ .46O tons.
Hamburg division. ...."..... w tons.
Columbia division. ......... .335 tons.
re the whole quantity Of rail requisite to
thorough and complete restoration OF the en-
tire line to what is regarded as q hrst Class
track could be obtained during this year, 1t
would, OF course, be not only great rehet In
management but would undoubtedly enable
us to reduce materially our operating expenses;
but as this is not reasonably to be expected
under existing circumstances. I trust that we
NAV be able to continue the safe working OF
the road through the coming year. without
larger demands IN this regard than are indica-
ted by the following hgures-say tor the
Charleston division. ........ SUI IONS
Hamburg division. .......... 9OO tons
Columbia division .......... .lOO0 tons
Total. 200 tons
feel it obligatory to call especial notice to
the condition OF the temporary. bridge across
the Natcree, my belief being that its deterlo-
ration is going on so rapidly that in less tban
twelve months It will not be either safe or pru-
dent to use it. A bridge OF three spans l40
feet each, the river piers Of cypress and the
abutn1ents Of stone, similar IN plan to the
structure over the Congaree, would cost at
this point about $50 ,000-one-haif Of which will
be paid by Wilmington and Manchester Hall-
road.
The trestling at the Edisto requires close and
constant watching, aud often entails the ne
cessty and expense OF, at times, rom ten 10
twelve hands to prevent the accumulation OF
drift against the slender piling. The open
ings are now only thirty feet, and the danger
to which it is frequently exposed induces me
thus urgently to suggest early attention to it's
condition. I would respectfully recommend
that the line of road through the swamp be
Strengthened and embarked, and that bridge
be built across the river.
At Hampton's Creek q bridge should like
wise be substituted as early as possible; the
span would be but elghty-four feet, and the
stone abutments are already there to receive IL.
Appended will be found summary OF the
work done upon the several divisions OF ROAD
during the year; and in drawing this report 10
a conclusion, it is with m It b pleasure en-
brace another opportunity OF again teshfylng
to the ability, intelligence and constant watch
fulness on the part 10th officers and en-
ployees in all OF tn, departments.
Il. T. PEAKE.
General superintendent.