The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-11-19

A Monument Erected on the Spot Where
IL was Begun sixty Years Ago.

A monument was unveiled at Borden
town, N. j.. on November H. to mark the
first piece OF track laid between New York
and Philadelphia by the Camden and Am
boy Railroad Company In 1881.
The monument Is a granite block, cut
pyramid shape at the top. 1t stands on
square base, which In turn rests on
foundation OF cut stones forming circle.
Suitable inscriptions are cut on the monu-
ment, ana IL also has attached to one side
bronze bas-relief made from the working
drawings furnished by Isaac Dripps, the
first master mechanic OF the Camden and
Amboy Railroad. giving a faithful repre-
John Bull, brought from England.
The first work on the new road was
done at Bordentown on December 4. 1880.
President Stevens advocated an all-iron
rail In place OF the wooden rail or stone
stringer plated with strap iron. then In
use on one or two short railroads, and
special resolution was passed by the
Board Of Directors authorizing him to go
ahead and purchase q supply, no metal
rails being made In the country at that
time.
While abroad he examined English
locomotives. He was present at the trial
Of the Planet, and the results were so
satisfactory that he at once ordered one
for the Camden and Amboy Of similar con-
struction. This engine, afterwards called
the John Bull and No. 1, was completed
In May and shipped by sailing vessel
from Newcastle-on-Tyne in June, 1881,
arriving In Philadelphia about the middle
of August. 1t was then transferred to
sloop at Chestnut street wharf. whence 1t
was taken to Bordentown.
The John Bull originally weighed eleven
tons. The boiler was 13 feet inches In
diameter. The cylinders were 8 inches
by 40 inches There were four driving
wheels 4 feet inches in diameter, ar
ranged with outside cranks for connect
ing parallel rods. Owing to the sharp
curves on the road. these rods were never
used. The driving wheels were made
with cast iron hubs and wooden Qocust)
spokes and felloes. The tires were Of
wrought iron three-quarters OF en- inch
thick, the tread being five inches and the
depth OF the fiange II, inches. The gauge
was originally feet The boiler was COM
posed Of sixty-two fues z feet 6 inches
long and 2 inches in diameter. The fur
mace was 8 feet inches long and 8 feet q
inches high and was for burning wood.
The CRATE surface was 10 feet inches !;
the fire-box surface 33 feet; tiue surface,
2l3 feet.
President Stevens and Master Mechanic
Dripps were the first to ride on the new
machine, and she started off under pres
sure OF thirty pounds OF steam. Robert
l.. Stevens planned the first plot-house in
1882. 1t was made OF oak, eight by four
feet, pinned together at the corners.
The first two coaches built were con-
structed so that they could be hauled by
horses. They were OF English pattern.
They had four wheels and resembled
three carriage bodies Joined together,
with seats In each facing each other.
There were three doors at each side. The
cars were made by firm OF carriage man
ufacturers, NJ. p. i NJ. Il. Green, OF Hobo
ken. and were thought to be very hand
some.
The New Jersey lawmakers were some
what dubious, IL Is said. about rlsking
their lives in this novel train, but at last
they concluded TO try IL, and the train
started and made many trips back and
forth without accident or delay.
Nine. Murat wife Of Prince Murat, a
nephew OF Napoleon Bonaparte. then liv-
ing in Bordentown, insisted upon being
the first woman to ride on this train.