Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-10-14

show to the Republican masses, In our
prosperity, that charity SO persistent'y de-
MED us in our adversely.
The OnsIow Railroad.
In compliance with the wishes of our
Onslow readers, and in compliance with
the great interest felt in the building of
direct railroad from this city to Onslow
county, we republish our views called for
by the people of Onslow, with such adj
ditional information as we believe the i'm
portance of the subject and the general
interest felt in regard to it, demand.
AS anxious as the people of Onslow must
necessarily be to have railroad connection
with the markets of the world they should
take into consideration, if they desire the
aid of others, not only the benefits to be
derived to themselves, but the welfare of
those whose aid they seek.
So far as Wilmington is concerned the
only railroad route to Onslow which invites
her sympathy and aid is the "direct" line
bv the coast. IF this cannot be operated
successfully, none other can be, for this
will combine pleasure and health with
business. In the event of the completion
of this railroad, summer resorts will be
located along the coast and many visitors
from the interior will seek the invigora-
ting breezes of the ocean, and the num-
berless pleasures OF the sea coast.
But the real question to be considered
is one of business. Gan the wide gauge,
costly railroad be built from any direc-
ton to the centre of Onslow county and
be operated with profit to the company !?
We think not. We are not considering
the benefits the road will be 10 the farmers
and merchants of the county, or to the
business men OF this city, or wherever may
be the western terminus. We are only
looking at it IS a stakeholder, and this is
the only safe view to take.
We have the sanction of one Of the most
experienced and able railroad men in this
State for the accuracy of the following
figures:
The distance from Wilmington to New
River is said to be thirty eight miles. We
gauge railroads, with cost of operating
each.
WIDE. NARROW.
Cost OF Construction. ...... .$266,OO0 $152,0O0
Cost of Equipment ... $4,000 $4,000
Stations and Incidentals. go. $4,000 10000
Total Cost. 1915, 600 100000
We must add to this outlay the very
great difference in the operating expenses.
But the narrow gauge railroads have
many other advantages which are of much
Importance when we consider the length
of the proposed road and the nature and
extent of the business to be done. The
very great saving in "dead weights " is
alone of considerable moment. If car
which Will transport sixteen thousand
pounds of freight weighs twenty thousand
pounds, it is easy to calculate the advan-
tages of a railroad system by which three
cars of three thousand pounds each will
carry the sane tonnage. Passenger cars,
on the wide gauge railroads, which accom-
modate fifty passengers, weigh from forty
thousand to sixty thousand pounds. g.
Whereas the light carriages OF the narrow
gauge railroads, which Garry from twenty
to thirty passengers, weigh only from FIVE
TO seven thousand pounds. These are GER
tainly important considerations.
The question of safety is not only settled
upon the highest scientific principles, but
has been tested by the most thorough and
satisfactory experience.
We are satisfied that narrow gauge
railroad from Wilmington to New River is
h0 Of "a int
in it's completion, and will be profitable
investment. BY placing steamer upon
the river at a cost of ten thousand dollars,
making the total outlay two hundred and
ten thousand dollars, we bring very large
portion of Onslow county in DIRECT eopnec
ton with the railroad.
We will estimate the cost of operating
at 81 per mile. A daily train Sundays
excepted) will make 313 trips of seventy
six miles, costing $23, 788 per year. This
covers all expenses, and is the average per
cent, of working heavy railroad.
To this We must add the interest upon
$21O, 900, the sum invested. This, at per
cent. would amount to $12, 600. We would
then have $50, 1888 as the amount neces-
sary to be earned to pay the cost of opera
ting and dividend of six per cent. It
will require the gross receipts to be only
about one hundred dollars for round trip
to New River and back to make the rail
road pay reasonable dividend to its
stockholders. We are satisfied that if the
road is located near the coast the travel
alone Will furnish largely more than half
of the necessary amount. The immediate
freight, without considering the rapid de-
velopment of new business, would make it
a paying road.
In this calculation We have not made
any estimate of the profits of the steamer,
which must be considerable.
In the estimate we have put the expen-
ses of operating he road at the average