The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-04-07
SOUTHPORT AS A COALING STA.
TION.

IlON.
The letter given below states facts
and conditions which should have much
weight with men interested in buiiG-
ing the Winston-SaIem Southbound
railroad and establishing d coalins STA
|tiOn on the South Atlantic coast. 1t
shows most clearly that on the Cape
ear is 70 be found the most advan-
|tageous location. This a affic that
|cannot be turned to one point or all
|Other, as suits the pleasure of those
lGuestion rs to which location is most
convenient to the coal mines is not 10y
amy means the chief point to be COLI
Isidered. The advantage acquiring to
THOSE who are expected to use the coal,
1.-THE cOastwise and foreign going steam
jships, is the main question at issue be-
lbrize. Mr.. CazauX's letter shows what
the British steamship men think in re-
Igard to the best location for a coaling
~lstatiOn for vessels between South At
%llantic and Gulf ports and Europe.
This letter should be carefully noted by
1.-THE men who are seeking to establish
a cOaling station on the South Atlantic
land we commend it to their cOnsidera-
lt;On. Mr.. CaZauX's long residence in
II his cifv and his MANY Tn1r.S' ovr,p.
Irience in foreign steamship business
Qualities him to speak on this subject.
He writes us:
Editor Of The Messenger:
Sir: l trust that you will excuse
my t~respassing upon your space in
regard to a cOaling station at South
port.
AS to the extension Of the railroad
iron Winston. N. c., to Charleston or
Ito Wilmington n Southport, setting
ASIDE the arguments OF either city as
to the advantages offered. there can
he no question as to Southport's al
Vantage over Charleston or any other
southern port. if We accept the opin-
lOH Of many steamship n in
England and they are h persons
most interested as to convenient coal
ins stations. and as an evidence Of
this I thought it would be of interest
Ito give result of my interviews with
jmost of the managing owners of
steamships in north England.
In 1883 I went to Liverpool for the
purpose of arranging for the charter
of steamers to load cotton. but found
IsOme difficulty. as agents only knew
of our bar and river as existed in
blockade times. and Llody's Insurance
Company had no chart later than
1865 showing Ill: to 1914 feet. Fort
iunately I had with me a chart OF bar
and river prepared for me tv Captain
|Dacor, United States engineer. show
ins depth Of Is feet. with prospect Of
20 to % feet very soon. l supplied
lLlcyd's Insurance Company with his
Ichart after using it among the nan
laying ship owners.
Failing to get immediate encour-
Iagement or charters in Liverpool, it
became necessary for me to extend
nay trip to nearly all the ports in the
north Of England where h steam
|shius are owned. his giving me an
opportunity of seeing all or nearly so
Iof the managing owners and they are
abe parties who make all cOa con-
tracts for steamers.
After making charters and the as
l%surance of others that there would
he no further trouble. they asked as
ITO the Iacli1Cl6S Tor cOdl1ng at THIS
iport. Of cou~S 1T the time we had
InOHe. but promise Of railroad connec
ltions in a short i'm to supply coal
las low as Norfolk. After looking
lover the situation / Oub if one owner
l;c ten failed to call my attention to
Itle fact Of Southport's great adyant-
lage for ccaling steamers over all 9TH
lcr ports with the water then expected
lon the bar, as being but a few hours
iout of their course. While Norfolk was
1.-TWO days out Of their course, as they
depressed it. Several of them inter-
Tested in Canada coal mines We're SO
IMPRESSED with it's advantages that
Ithey spoke of establishing a coal sta
Ition at Southport. supplying the coal
from Canada mines. their plan was
Ito avs wharf and barge. keeping IA
Ibar@e loaded with sufficient coal to
Is,lp? ply any ship of too great draft ~
lcroSs the bar. / did not give it much
encouragement IS It was confidently
ipredicted that railroad connection
lwould soon be mad to coal mines.
lon this subject / had letters for three
months after my return.
merely give all these facts to
lshow the views of managing ship
lowners in England (and they are
lsharp business mem to whom the
local miner must look for contracts
For trip or yearly supplies.
Most respectfully.
A. ID. CAZAEx.