‘+

i;
ent
Brit
.7
TT

‘7
-

ss 8

‘7

tint
PERL
ur

7

:

:
Hh
it
:
t
He
ah
Bi
ih

vl
i
.
att
y
-
3
{
;
Bit.
THE.
é
it
7

 

546 Chronicles of the Cape Fear Rwer

permitting.” Within

by the saving phrase “wind and weather
not to say of old age,

the memory of our citizens in middle life,
the daily steamers to and from Charleston, already referred to,

afforded the passengers at Smithville and Wilmington, and also
the planters along the river, who boarded them from small
boats, comfortable and speedy service. Later, on the completion
of the Wilmington and Manchester Railroad, the steamer Spray
plied regularly; but none of these conveyances was more satis-
factory to the general public than the steamer Wilmington,
owned and commanded by Capt. John W. Harper, who, after
many years of excellent service, still controls and regulates the

river trade and tratfiic.
The new railroad between Wilmington and Southport, called

the Wilmington, Brunswick, and Southport Railroad, runs a
daily passenger, mail, and freight schedule between Southport
and Navassa, where it connects with the Atlantic Coast Line

ard Air Line Railroads for Wilmington or for

other points on these trunk lines.
The railroad is thirty miles long, and was completed in 1911.

The capital stock is $165,000. Its officers are: President,
M. J. Corbett; vice president, H. C. McQueen; general man-
ager, M. W. Divine, and traffic manager, H. E. Godwin.

In view of the opening of the Panama Canal and of the mani-
fest destiny that the United States will have closer commercial
relations with the countries of South America, whose develop-
ment is now progressing with such rapid strides, the admirable
location of Southport for a government coaling station is appar-
ent, and it will surely become a commercial entrepot of impor-
tance. Business is quick to avail itself of superior advantages,
and the facilities offered by Southport are unrivaled. Its land-
locked harbor, ranging from thirty-five to forty-nine feet in
depth, and five miles long, with a width varying from one-

quarter to three-quarters of a mile,
secure anchorage for the fleets of commerce and the navies

thus assured.

While possessing these advantages, Southport enjoys the dis-
line between the vast coal fields of

tinction of being on the direct

affords a commodious and

of

war, while the frowning ramparts of Fort Caswell assure ample
military protection. Its bar is almost perfectly protected from
the heaviest gales; for twenty-five years the hurricane signals
have been hoisted at Southport only twice, and no hurricane
wave can possibly enter the port. Safety of all shipping 1s

Peace Restored BAY

the j
é wheats ene the points where the coal will be wanted—
ton, and Sar: anamo Bay. It is as near Panama as Charles-
Nostolk: eae — of Hatteras, has evident advantages over
Caribbean Sea aoe — port is so near to the ports of the
ica. Its climate j nae tase ag east coast of South Amer-
and fogs are alm see rosie! fine; it has a constant sea breeze
tremes. Fo =a unknown. Its temperature is free from ex-

r twenty-nine years the mean temperature during

th
e months of June, July, and August has been 79 degrees, and

for December, J
, January, and Feb
water supply is excellent. See —— a ee

=; .

- mies: bs oe system of inland waterways now in process
uction, and connected with the

: CO great southern rail

— = has pes Scr d for commerce, and, directly soatectel

e vast coal fields, it offers advant
ages for a go
coaling station second to no other port on the coast mead gate

FORT CASWELL AT THE PRESENT TIME.

cay ae to my request through Senator Overman for particu-
of the present defenses at Fort Caswell, which has been

made one of the most im +h
portant militar
oe Secretary of War says: ne
eS a Caswell is situate in Brunswick County, North Caro-
Wiknineto a Southport and twenty-two miles from
contains a - the military reservation includes Oak Island and
area of 2,325 acres. It is the headquarters of the

coast def
etenses of the Cape Fear, and is garrisoned by three com-

panies of the Coast Artiller
> Corps. It i
Charles A. Bennett, Coast y Seed ae Corps commanded by Col.

“The a
rmament of the post consists of mortars, direct and

rapid-
pid-fire guns, and includes a mine defense

“T| :
the batteries have been named in honor of Richard Caswell
’

eaten | of the Continental Congress, an officer
y Army, and first governor of the State of

North ina:
a ; of the late Capt. Alexander J. Swift, Corps of
, was employed upon the construction of Fort

Caswell, and ’
the Me — died of disease contracted in the field during

States Navy
Cuba, May 1
a, May 11, 1898; of the late First Lieut. William E. Shipp

ar; of the late Ensign W
gn Worth Bagley, United
of North Carolina, killed in action at Dikanas