Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1912-01-19
OVERSEE RAILROAD COMPLETED

JdcKSOnVllle, rld, Jan. 10 h0 al
rival in Jacksonville tomorrow of sew
eral parties of diplomats, financiers
and public officials, including practic-
ally the entire membership of the
rivers and harbors committee of con-
gress, will set the machinery in mo-
ton for the biggest celebration in the
history of the state Of Florida. The
celebration, which will continue over
several days, will be in honor of the
completion of the Florida East Coast
Railway Company's line connecting
the mainland of the United States with
the island city of Key West.
The construction of "the railroad
over the sea-" which is the name ia
military applied to the new line, is
regarded as one of the greatest en-
cheering triumphs of the age. The
project of building the line from the
| tip-end of the Florida peninsula to
Key West, using the long stretch OF
coral reefs as stepping-stones, was
first conceived about seven years ago
Henry M. Flagler, the chief promoter
of the enterprise, supplied the mill
ions of capital necessary and the best
engineering talent in America fur
nished the ingenuity and skill that
have made the road an accomplished
fact.
The building of the concrete via
ducts was one of the most interesting
features of the entire project, not only
because of the size of the larger ones,
but by reason of their location. They
were constructed literally on the open
sea- In many places where the water
is deep enough to float large-sized
ocean steamship, and where the local
ity is exposed to the gales of the At
lantic, much of the work was done by
floating plants, where the concrete was
mixed AMI placed in position by means
of powerful boom derricks. In the
shallower water molds for the founda-
ton OF the viaduct were formed by
driving piles, which held in place
water-tight framework. The total
length of the oversee extension is 1877
miles.
The first through train to Key West
will leave this city Sunday noon and
will carry Mr.. Flagler and party OF
friends. A second train will follow
closely with the members Of congress
and other officials invited to partici-
pate in the celebration at Key West.
Elaborate entertainment for the Wis
itors has been provided in the island
city. The fifth division of the Atlantic
feet, consisting of the cruisers North
Carolina, Washington, Salem and
Birmingham, is at Key West for the
celebration Portugal has sent one Of
the vessels of her navy and several
other foreign powers are expected to
be represented.
The completion of the oversee line
Is an event of national and even inter-
national Importance. 1t gives the
United States a new seaport far out
in the gulf, affording great improve
ment On the country's strategic posi-
ton in relation to Cuba and the Pan
ANA canal. Key West, with the open
ing of the new road, becomes the
United States port nearest to Colon;
495 miles nearer than New Orleans
and 600 miles nearer than Galveston.
1t has today one of the most important
naval stations in the country and
President Taft has already expressed
the hope that congress will provide
for the very considerable enlargement
of the post.
AS the distance from Key West to
Havana is only ninety miles, the trans
portation of freight cars by means OF
powerful steam ferries is entirely
practicable, and the trip can be made
in about six hours.