Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-31
ENORMOUS INCREASE
IN COAL SHIPMENTS
Millions OF Tons Carried Annually
Over Three Virginia Lines to
Great Terminals.
RICHMOND OFFICES VERY BUSY
Extension of Hampton Roads Piers
Reflects Both War Conditions and
Influence or Trade Of Opening of
the Panama Canal.

NNS AAA qua
Vast increases have been shown in
recent months in the amount OF coal
shipped through Richmond from the
fields in West Virginia to be dumped
over the piers al Newport News. where
vessels Aging every neutral flag and
plying the ocean TO practically overy
port on the globe tie up for bunker
coal. This business at the Virginia
port has always been a tremendous
one/ but within the past two years 1t
has vastly increased. until it has fin
ally fulhlled the dream OF a great
railroad builder. the late Henry H.
Rogers, of oil fame, who foresaw the
great future to the coal fields Of Vir-
ginia and It's sister State.
Shipments of fuel coal through Rich
mopd have been heavy for a number
of years. but in the three-year period
of 1924 there was little or no in
crease in the business. But that was
during a period when business condi-
tions throughout the ountry were
only normal and less than that state
during the latter part OF the period.
The onnage, II is true, was moderately
heavy, but nothing in comparison with
the totals shown for the first four
months OF this year. Another factor is
the great progress made since the out
break OF the European war in the de-
relopment of Newport News as an At
lantic port of importance.
The controlling factor. however. and
one which is only be beginning to make
itself felt, is the opening Of the Panama
Canal, which was long delayed. but
finally completed sufficiently to allow
the passage of ships in August, throe
years ago. That auspiSious opening
followed within a few days after the
declaration of hostilities in Europe,
and those two factors have worked
hand in han in developing thu port,
promising to make it one of the great
est on the Atlantic coast.
PANAMA CANAL HAS
HAD STIMULATING EFFECT
AS soon as practicable after the
opening of the canal the vessels using
the short cut made arrangements TO
coal at the News and the tonnage
TO the port started its upward climb.
AS the war progressed and shipping
became more treacherous, especially to
certain classes OF trade that was OBJ
noAious to Germany. other ships chang
ed their routes where practicable and
used the canal. Every additional BOAT
'At>o'S ~ A'o'J iiciS toto "a SOdAt olid
practically all of it came from Virginia
and West Virginia. Within recent
months, with shipping to Europe ex-
ceedinEly dangerous. many vessels are
using the canal en- route to Vlavos-
tok. from which port supplies are
shipped over the Trans-Siberian Rail-
road.
To care for this business the three
railroads entering the port from Vir-
ginia-the Chesapeake and Ohio. the
Norfolk and Western. and the Vir-
Sinian--have greatly increased their
facilities within the past year. Tho
former railroad has constructed now
classification yards and otherwise i'm
proved its terminal facilities. and ex-
tensive improvements have been com
pleted by the other two roads. Plans
are now on 6pot to install additional
machinery for the coaling OF side port
bunker ships.
With the completion Of this i'm
provement a certain class of vessels
that are now tediously coaled can be
loaded rapidly. and this feature is ex-
pected materially TO increase the busi-
ness. This great traffic. however. was
visioned years by the late Henry
n. Rogers. of Standard Oil fame. who
spent some time in the mountains of
Virginia and West Virginia inspecting
the coal fields. Mr.. Rogers foresaw
the making Of a port OF world impor-
lance on Hampton Roads, and realized
the need for supplying the vessels with
coal
ROGERS FINANCES AND
CONSTRUCTS RAILROAD
The coal fields in the two States con-
tanned fuel enough for years. he saw,
transportation facilities. He saw the
need Tor a direct railroad from the
helds to the seaboard. and a few
months later construction mon began
the work on his" railroad. The line
was his. not only in idea and efforts,
but in money. He had amassed a for
tune IN oil dealings. and a large part
OF II he put back into the new rail
road. And within tho past tow years
the Nirginian Railway has moro than
measured up to expectations.
Going back to the tonnage that
passed through Richmond. during the
year 1872. the Chesapeake and Ohio.
according to figures furnished by the
general Offices. handled a total OF 3.7so-
s3G toEs. In the following wear. when
business had began to stagnate from
various reasons. tho tonnage was
S,lo2.l57, which increased 10 3,a3o,372
tons in 1914. With the first days Of
January 1915. business improved and
climbed steadily. the year closing with
>CN"' ou'ipinSo OF 3f,IoS,6QU over the
piers at Newport News.
Sun further increases were made
month by mont in 1916. the record
month being January, with 455,s2o
tons, and then ended with the ton.
mage asgregating t.S?S.ass. breaking
an previous records So far. so good,
put the indications for this year are
mat the business will be substantially
heavier. Calculating the tonnage this
year al the rate OF tho frst four months
me dumpings will run close 10 5000
ooo Ions. All previous records for a
months dumpinsx were broken last
March when the Chesapeake and Ohio
handled 5oo.77l tons over tho piers. The
TOUR months this year total l.s3s.So5
IONS more than half tho total for 1918
ana 1911. and nearly half OF 1912.
IN addition. the shipments to the
Great Lakes have shown heavy in
cre1ees recently. since tho Chesapeake
n Ohio has connected up it's lines to
Chicago giving a direct route.