Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-15
RAILWAYS or CAPE COLONY
The Iron Tracks Extending Through the
Dark Continent.
C0rresp0ndence Rdiltodv Registe

Correspondence Rdiltody Register.
Our railways have received a great im-
petus by the authority to proceed with the
construction of an extension of the line TO
Kimberley (the diamond fieldss a dis
lance of 10 or 80 miles. Kimberley is the
capital of Central South Africa, and the
great centre, or market, for supplying the
interior.
Next month May we propose running
three passenger trains weekly between
Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, a distance
of $40 miles, which will be made in 43
hours, or an average of 90 miles per hour,
including stoppages.
This may appear slow, but it is not so
when you take into consideration the
gauge minutes & seconds, the heavy
gradients, several miles Of / in 80, and the
fact that the line rises over 4, 900 feet above
tide water at its highest level, only TO de-
scend again TO seabOard.
| forgot to mention the curves, which
are numerous aud sharp, several being
not more than chains 462 feet radius.
The through trains will consist OF five
boyle carriages on the Pullman principle,
having through passage down the centre
and a platform at the end Of each car
riage so that the passengers can 20 out
and air themselves. Each compartment
holds four persons, having table be-
tween, which is converted into a bed at
night. A kitchen car is attached, and all
meals are served on board the train while
in motion.
These trains will only stop at principal
stations, and all the stoppages In the $40
miles Will not exceed 30 minutes.
This aArvfQa will nmpJpU a boyvt 10 Inn
motives, which VIII work return trains
from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town.
The Cape Colony railways, which are
under government control, consist Of three
distinct systems, and find an outlet to the
eabOard at Cape Town, Port Elizabeth
and East London.
The objective point to which all these
lines are making in the interior is Kim.
berley, the wonderful diamond fields Of
south Africa. A branch Of the Port Eliza
beth line also finds an outlet on the coast
at Port Alfred.
These roads are well constructed, al
though the routes are quite difficult for
railrOading, the character of the country
being such that very many grades exist.
Unlike the American builder, who seeks
the valleys and low grades, it would APP
pear that these engineers had sought to
make an "air line" regardless Of inter
yening obstacles. Tramways also are
operated under private management in
Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
Upon the west coast, in northwest di-
rection from Cape Town, is Hamaqiia-
land, where a 98-mlle road Of minute 6
second gauge extends from Port NollOth
TO the copper mines Of the Cape Copper
Company, limited, at Ookiep. This road
rises 10 an elevation Of over 1900 feet
above the sea level. Its traffic consists Of
"A daily shipment Of 1000 tons Of copper
ore, which Is sent TO the seaport, and The
return Of supplies necessary for the
miners. The traction is performed by
mules, locomotives and the power Of
gravitation. Great difficulties have been
experienced on this road by reason Of the
scarcity Of water and almost unmanage-
able sand storms, which Interrupt the
operation. Freight trains are operated
each way daily and passenger trains tri-
weekly. Communication 10 had with Cane
Town every ten days by steamer.
The Natal Railway, on the east coast,
was the first constructed in South Africa
% connect the town and the wharves.
This road has been extended into the into
rior 10 Petermaritzburg. n miles, with
coast branches both north and south.
II Is conveniently situated, and is pro.
iccted TO accommodate the traffic Of the
Trnnsyaal, the Orange Free State aud the
diamond fields, which latter are about 400
miles from Durham.
Large sums Of money have been eX-
pended In improving The entrance 10 the
harbor at Durham, but thus far without
result. The entrance, which Is about 600
yards wide, has bar across II, which has
thus far deGed the engineering ability of
the local talent. This Is quite a draw
back b the business Of the port The
railway systems OF these colonies VIII
doubtless, Ia Time reach far into the int
nor, diyerging from Kimberley in all d.
reCfions. The past year or two has not
offered much inducement for The Invest.
meut Of capital in railroads, yet the pro.
jected line from the Midland system would
aeom b be "a good Undertaking.
Kimberley rs the Chief city Of Griqua-
land. and Is about $50 miles from Port
Elizabeth, having population Of 1000
Europeans and 10000 natives. In 1867
the frat excitement was created by the
announcement or the existence OF dia-
monds on the Yaal river. Three gentle
men purchased the farm on which the
mines wore located. and later they resold
% the government Tor Zoo O, IL h eeti-
mated that the shipment Of diamonds has
aggregated the gross value Of &40,O00,0O0
in fourteen years.
Every indication points 10 q good busl-
moss for The railway when 10 is extended
70 that point. The seasons are greatly a.