The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-01-28
Southport, N. c.

With as Fine a Harbor as Any |
Point in the South This
Ought to Become one of the
Greatest Shipping Points on
the South Atlantic Coast
What the Building of the
Carolina. Clinchheld & Ohio
Railroad to Southport and
Making it a Coaling Station
Would Mean to All Interests
Concerned.
The following circular letter which
has been issued bv the Chamber of
Commerce of Southport is published
with pleasure:
SOUTHPORT, n. e.. JANUARY :, 1909.
DEAR SIR:
With the completion. now at hand, Of
the Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio Railroad
through the mountains of North Caro-
lima. connecting Johnson City, Tenn.
with Bostic. \. c.. on the Seaboard Air
Line r. r.. and opening an avenue for
the transportation of coal to the Caro-
lima seaboard. there is offered an oppor-
tunity to North Carolina that must be
made Use OF now or perhaps it will never
be offered. 1t is that of inducing the
railroad interest above named to develop
a coaling station at Southport, y. c.
II this is accomplished it will be the
ground work for the upbuilding of a
greater North Carolina port and harbor.
North Carolina people saw Charleston
do the business OF central and Western
North Carolina in former days. We have
seen Norfolk absorb a great part of
North Carolina business in late years be-
cause OF her shipping facilities by water
and rail
The question now arises: Shall we
continue to see commercial opportunities
captured by sister States that properly
belong to North Carolina? Shall our
people fail to exert themselves in due
season while history is making in certain
business centers that mean SO very much
to the State in her future commercial
life?
The Carolina, Clinchfield 4 Ohio Rail-
road is now actually through the noun
tains, and will first supply coal to the
Piedmont section, and is then ready to
establish a coaling station at deep water
for the foreign trade. The question il,
shall North Carolina sit idle while some
other State captures this interest? Shall
we stand together and urge a greater
North Carolina port, urge putting our
port in position to reap some of the
benefits to follow the opening OF the
Panama canal and endeavor to secure
the terminus of this great railroad sys-
tenn for Southport where the State offers
superior advantages, or shall we remain
Indifferent?
The making of Southport the terminus,
or point for the coaling station means
deeper water for North Carolina ship
ping. This means larger ships. greater
cargoes and lower freights. 1t means the
foundation for North Carolina competi-
tive water point that can compete with
Norfolk. 1t will mean the utilizing OF
natural advantages at home and the in
creasing of North Carolina wealth. 1t
means foreign trade-Panama and other
developments.
May we ask you to put your shoulder
to the wheel that we may accomplish
something for the State that will so ia
vOrably determine her future commercial
weight?
We further call your attention to the
following points:
Southport offers a large, deep harbor,
which is landlocked, or protected from
exposure to the sea. It's harbor is only
five miles from the ocean. Over the bar
to the ocean she now offers % feet at
high water and with little work can offer
30 feet to the commerce. She offers good
anchorage and superior advantages for
the erection of docks and terminals
The distance from Southport to Pana-
ma is not greater than that from Calves
ton to Panama. and almost as near as
New Orleans. 1t would he convenient to
the West, should this coal road terminate
at Southport and give the railway con-
nection. Southport is nearer to the Mid
die West than any other Atlantic port.
No other point on the South Atlantic
coast can offer advantages that can
equal those offered at Southport for IL
coaling station. And. with the estab-
lishment there Of the proposed station by
the above named railroad. and coDnec-
tions made to Wilmington and to the
West, perhaps no other point would then
have commercial advantages to equal.
1t liz for reasons such as these that we
can urge this port for the purpose named.
1t il because we desire to see North
Carolina's wealth and commercial i'm
portance increased through the ad-
vantages that she offers and should by
right enjoy. that we appeal 10 you To
Use your best endeavors TO the end that
this opportunity OF a generation may
not lie lost
1t was by this Chamber resolved that
VIC ask the cooperation OF the press and
all commercial organizations Of North
Carolina to the end that we secure for
our State this much needed coalng sta
ton. Respectfully,
f.. Il. STEVENS. President.
J. BERG. Secretary