Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-03-07
KNOXVILLE TO SEVIERVILLE.
Narrow Guagc Railroads VS. River Trans

pOrtatiOn.
After reading the report of Capt. Parrot
in reference to the improvement of the
French Broad river, delivered before the
Board of Trade, and published in the Press
and Herald on Friday morning March
Srd, thought it but just to the parties
discussing the project of building a.
narrow guage railroad from this city to
| Sevierville, and in time to connect with
the c., C.. G. & G. r. r., that something
should be said in defense of this system of
railways, and to show that Mr.. Parrots
report was one-sided, that his estimate in
regard to improving the navigation of the
French Broad is far too low, and the build
ing of the road spoken of too high, es-
pecially the expense of running and keep
ing the road in repair. / do not wish to
the improvement of this river, for I am
favorable to it, providing the one will not
injure the progress of the other, competi-
tive if both were completed, but be no
detriment to either.
His estimate in building these dams is
only made from the surface of the water,
never considering the depth of water re-
quired to enter any one of these locks, and
the depth to go to get foundation suitable.
He does not consider the expense and diff
Guilty of constructing coffer-dams before
his SO masonry could be laid, nor the
liabilities and dangers of high water and
drifts while the work was under contract,
nor did he consider the additional expense
in the location and construction of the
locks required, nor the dangers result
ing from overflow of lands, and the neces-
sary expense in keeping these locks and
dams in repair.
No contractor ] dare say would under
take to build the class of masonry and
be responsible for dangers that might
happen for less than $40 per cubic yard,
and the masonry, besides, with the amount
of water that would naturally be thrown
against the walls, ought to be heavier than
he has estimated.
The seventeen dams with the necessary
locks, will cost, if am correctly informed,
instead of sl70, 600, Mr.. Parrots estimate,
over half a million dollars.
The captain must have forgotten when
making his report on the expenses of
running the narrow guage railroad,
that such expenses would be considerably
reduced, from what we have been accus-
toned to read in our railroad reports.
The object sought by railroad men, in
building this class of roads, is to reduce
the cost of construction, both as to the
grading and superstructure, consequently
reducing the cost and weight of the rolling
stock, lessening the expenses and wear
the dividends to stakeholder, giving him
larger profits than he had ever derived
from the broader guage. This system of
roads is undergoing test that no one can
have any doubts as to their practicablity,
and the one adapted to short line COM
munications.
So far the three-foot gauge seems to have
taken the lead as the cheapest and most
suitable for this section of country, giving
hot As mr. n LOFT IN fhA
and more room for transportation than one
of less gauge. This class of roads can be
constructed to pass over sleeper grades and
sharper curves than has been done by the
broader gauge system, allowing the engi-
neer privileges he has not possessed here
tofore, in going around hill instead of
through il, Thereby obviating deep cuts and
heavy fills.
The rolling stock for this class of rail-
ways have been reduced about one-half the
weight of the ordinary locomotive and
cars used on the broader gauge. Locomo-
tives intended to be used on the three foot
gauge weigh ten and twelve tons,
and will cost, delivered here, about SIS, 600.
Coaches to carry thirty passengers about
$1,000 Freight cars, carrying five tons
| each, cost $500, and other stock neces-
sary will cost in the same proportion
and am confident, without any knowl-
cuS0 VI Tie country DeCWeen this and
Sevierville, that a road of this description
can be built and equipped for about $780,
600, giving to the road two locomotives,
four passenger, two baggage and from
twenty to thirty freight cars, and suitable
depots and station houses. These loco
motives have been known to draw, over a
heavy grade, eighty tons, including the
weight Of cars. AS to the profits. or the
amount of travel and freight that will pass
over this line, will depend upon the section
of country through which it passes, and
the probabilities of completing the North
| Carolina railroad. Should that line ever
be eompleted, it will be profitable to Knox
vile to build connecting line.
River navigation is entirely out of fash
ion. We are in an age of progress, and
necessarily must have a line of communi-
cation that can be relied upon, and that
can not be expected from the navigation
OF the French Broad.
KNOXVILLE, March 9Th, 1871.
SUMNER.-Senator Summer authorized