Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-01
YEAR IN THE STATE.
TUE STORY or 1897 IN OTHER vIR-
GINA CITIES.
The PORT OF NEWPORT NEWS,
Remarkable Growth R~ccorded-A
Good Rounding Up I'm the Magic
c~ouraeing Report from Southwest.

NEWPORT NEWS VA. December ST.
CSpecial)-During the year 1897 Newport
News has experienced a remarkable
growth. Business has been encouraging,
and local merchants are congratulating
themselves on the outlook for 1898. There
are many evidences OF the good business
that has been done from January lst to
December Slst. The records AT the GUS
tom-housc. for instance. show that the
mcnsc. the total valuation OF the oargoes
exceeding S26.soo.0oo. That is remarkable
for a port Of this size. The exports for
The year Will exceed those Of 1896 in
valuation 10y $4,000. and the figures will
nearly double those Of 1895. The import
trade has been unusually large. and the
statistics. when compiled, Will show a
marked increase owe those OF 1896.
THE RAILROAD.
Never was the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad in such hourishing condition.
Thousands Of cars. carrying grain coal.
cattle. -four. and miscellaneous freight.
have been handled here. The grain ele-
vator has been hummlng day and night
during the year. and the rumbiing noise
OF New River coal passing through the
chutes into the holds OF steamers.
schooners, n barges has added TO the
din made by prosperity i'm Newport News.
A new steel pier, the finest on the At
iantic coast. now stands I'm the place of
Pier 3. which was' destroyed by fire last
April. and another pier. No. s, is Lcarly
completed. The amount OF shipping has
- 80 Al
port. and never before has so much c1sl
been dumped as during the present year.
The total tonnage, Sc is estimated, Will
exceed 1.5o0.0 900.
At the ship-yard work has been brisk.
Besides the building Of the three battle
ships-Kentucky. Kearsarge. and Hi
n0is-considorable repair work has been
done. giving steady employment. TO $500
men. The three %gunboats Helena, VIII
mington. and Nashville, were completed
during the year, and stood their trial trips
admirably. winning handsome bonuses
for the ship-yard for speed ability. The
Nashville IS the fastest g%unboat OF her
class in the world.
COMING LAUNCHINGS.
Tho three battleships will be launched
some time next year. II is probable that
the Kentucky and the Kearsarg@ Will
slide from their cradles into the placid
James about the LIST of February. This
will be a gala occasion for Newport News,
as 10 will be the first double launching of
frst-class warships in the worlds history.
Besides, a large delegation Of Kentucki-
ans. including Governor W. o.. Bradley
and his staff; the naval officials, Governor
j. Hoge Tyler and stan. and the members
Of the General Assembly Of this State
are expected 20 witness the double launch
ing.
There has been gratifying activity in
building circles through the year. 1t is
estimated that there are over 1000 build
ings within the corporate limits. During
the year 300 new buildings have been
erected. The largest building permits
were granted to the Chesapeake and
Ohio Railway Company for two new piers,
and 10 the Newport News Gas Company
for putting in a gas plant. which will be
operated for the first time on January
18th.
The receipts Of the municipal govern
ment have been large during the twelve
months. and the city closes the year with
a handsome balance on hand.
The health Of the city was never better,
and the ~death-rate for the year was con-
siderably lower han that for 1896. Crime
was greater during this year than in
1896.
Newport News closes the year with a
population Of over 1j.OOO. which is an in
crease Of about 400 over 1896.
Dir. James Haughton, an underwriters
agent al this port, has been appointed
British Vice-Consul for Newport News.
Great Britain has not been represented
az this port by "a consul or agent for
several years.