The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-20
THE DAILY BOAT LINE.
GREAT DEVELOPMENT or THE
LOWER JAMES RIVER.
The Importance of the Enterprise to Rich
mond-One OF the Boats Already on
the way-stockbolders' Meeting.

The announcement exclusively published
In yesterdays Times giving the particu-
lars Of proposed daily line Of steel
eteamboats between Richmond and Nor
folk created more interest than anything
this season, save Cieveland's election. The
subject was the talk Of the street yes
terday. and discussed at busir ess ex-
c, argos. Offices and clubs.
The news was received with interest by
river men and Richmond merchants, and
the contamination OF the plans outlined
in The Times is looked on by them as
the opening Of new era Of business be-
tween this city and the lower James.
Mr.. T. c. Barney, a wealthy citizen OF
Ohio, who owns the splendid Hog lslahd
place on James river, IS one OF the iead-
Ing spirits IN the enterprise, ana Is named
as the secretary and treasurer OF the new
company.
lie has been at the Exchange off and on
for several weeks, but is now out OF the
city.
The matter is spoken Of with confidence
as a fixed fact by several well-known
business men.
II is expected that a meeting Of those
interested will take place in Richmond
rangements will be made public.
There are several prominent men In
Richmond interested in the enterprise
bat they are disposed 10 keep quiet about
the matter until then.
No new facts about the enterprise were
learned to-day. except that the well
founded reports yesterday are confirmed
by a further weight Of evidence.
The fact that Mr.. ". +. Clyde. who is
the principal owner IN the Virginia Steam
boat Company, is metioned as being
prominent In the proposed new line,
makes the reported consolidation Of the
two companies NOSE likely. IL IS under
stood that several Richmond owners in
the Virginia Steamboat Company were in
conference with MIR. Barney, Mr.. Clyde
and others interested in the new company
IN Philadelphia last week.
The McCance wharf property, fronting
300 feet on the river and running back TO
the street-car line on Lester street,
bought by Mr. Barney for the new line,
is being cleaned up and preparations made
for constructing the necessary wharves
and sheds.
1t is also stated that one Of the boats
TO be used between the two cities is
already under construction on the ways
at Harlan & Hollingsworths ship-yard,
In Wilmington. Del
The opinion is universal that the splen-
did service contemplated will prove OF
great value in the development Of the
property along James river. Captain
George ". Allen, the veteran agent Of
the Old Dominion Steamship Line for |
this city. expressed great interest in the |
enterprise. When / asked him If he |
thought the James river route offered any |
future for such an extensive line of trans |
portation, replied: "Yes l do. l think, |
under such an impulse, the trade will |
grow TO immense proportions, and I be- |
lieve it will be q surprise to the steam
boat people themselves. There is room
on James river for large development,
and such boats as these will build up
trade RAPIDLY.
Captain John +. Mayer. who is also
familiar with the conditions of trade and
people on James river, concurred in the
belief that success awaited such an enter
prise. Said he. II believe il will be q
grand success. and that the trade with
such boats would soon double itself. 1t
may take two years, or perhaps more to
develop il. but ii will prove very valuable
in the future.
Would not the through travel pay? !
asked | think il would largely increase,
but ] expect they are looking to the river
trade. the development Of which is al
ready growing.
OF course such boats would largely alb
sorb the trade now done by the numerous
small craft sailing NJ ard down the
river. They carry much larger amount
OF freight than any one not familiar with
the traffic would suppose. The two steam
ers between Richmond and Norfolk and
Petersburg and Norfolk are doing a fine
business now.
Colonel A. s. Buford told me he was
very pleased TO read Of the projected line.
He felt sure from the name Of the incor-
porators Of the company that it was an
assured success.
Many other prominent citizens ex-
pre-! sed pleasure at the rews