DOCSLIB.ORG

A Walk on the Wall Historic Structures, and Wildlife Are During the First an Interpretive Guide to the Richmond Floodwall Half of the Walk

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Walk on the Wall Historic Structures, and Wildlife Are During the First an Interpretive Guide to the Richmond Floodwall Half of the Walk JAMES RIVER PARK SYSTEM ABOUT THIS TOUR: • Scenic and accessible, this one mile riverside tour runs on the southside of river from the Manchester Bridge Overlook at Semmes Ave. and 7th St. to the Mayo Bridge Overlook at First and Hull Sts. and on to the I -95 overpass at Maury Street. Parking is available at all three locations. • From the Manchester Bridge Parking Lot, follow what used to be an old railroad grade across the lawn and under the Manchester Bridge to a foot bridge. Cross over the railroad tracks and follow the path to the right to the overlook. • The best views of rapids, A Walk on the Wall historic structures, and wildlife are during the first An Interpretive Guide to the Richmond Floodwall half of the walk. Most of this section is wheelchair acces- THE RICHMOND FLOODWALL PROTECTS 750 ACRES of low- lying sible with assistance. (There industrial land from flood impact. Several times a year, the James is a steep asphalt section River swells and overflows. Mountains in western Virginia trap clouds below the Manchester Over- that dump rain into headwater streams. Since the James River drains look and the rest is packed 25% of the state, moderate floods are estimated to occur every 3 1⁄2 gravel.) A set of stairs three- quarters of the way to the years. The Richmond Floodwall is a joint city and federal project that Mayo Bridge blocks com- cost $143 million. In Richmond, the clean up for the Hurricane Agnes plete wheelchair passage. flood in 1972 alone cost $112 million.W hile there are environmental The second half, east of the costs to the floodwall, like the destruction of some wildlife habitat Mayo Bridge, is asphalt and and the movement of flood impact further downstream, the benefits parallels the flatwater. There is a moderate hill at the end to Richmond include enhanced economic development, increased near the I- 95 overpass. land values, and an improved tax base. An Interpretive Guide to the Richmond Floodwall JAMES RIVER PARK SYSTEM From the Manchester Bridge over show the power of the floods. the James River Park System. It is the Parking Lot, follow what used These once supported a railroad site of an infamous Civil War prison to be an old railroad grade bridge built in 1902. camp and has the remains of early iron and quarry industries. Today it across the lawn and under the To the left of the pillars is a long, low, is a popular place to view whitewater bridge. Cross over the railroad bridge-li ke structure with handrails rapids, jog, climb, and fish. tracks and follow the path to and narrow tracks. Metal spac- the right and the overlook. ers were wheeled out and dropped On the horizon and slightly to your left is the white mansion-li ke 1 The Manchester Overlook between the supports to create an ad- justable dam called the Vepco Levee, structure of Ethyl Corporation, the You are standing on one of the also called the Brown’s Island Dam. company that invented high octane abutments for the Richmond & The pilings now form the supports Petersburg Railroad Bridge built in for the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial 1838. This bridge provided a major Bridge. The dam funneled water to north south rail connection and was the Haxall Canal on the north bank. burned by retreating Confederate This fed the now abandoned steam troops during the Civil War. The and hydroelectric power plant identi- granite remains of several piers fied by the 3 tall brick smokestacks to extend across the river before you. Today, the rough texture and jointed your right. The canal now marks the surfaces make this a popular boul- perimeter of Brown’s Island Park. R&P Railroad Bridge (pre-civil dering site for skilled climbers. The Further to the left, among the trees, war). Photo courtesy of the Virginia shorter cement pillars that have fallen is the eastern tip of Belle Isle, part of State Library. An Interpretive Guide to the Richmond Floodwall JAMES RIVER PARK SYSTEM gasoline. The old brick buildings below Ethyl comprise the famed Timeline of Richmond History Tredegar Iron Works, once the largest 1600s Powhatan Indians harvested 8 and 9 foot sturgeon from the iron foundry in the South. It manu- James River. factured cannons during the Civil 1607 –1700 Captain John Smith purchased the land of the Falls from War and produced the armor plates Chief Powhatan. for the confederate iron-c lad Vir- ginia, better known as the Merrimac. Early colonists sent sailing ships up the James as far as the Today these buildings are the hub of Falls at the Mayo Bridge. the American Civil War Museum. 1700 The River was lined with floating fish traps. The rapids in front of you and to the 1730 Earliest industry on the James begun by William Byrd. far right provide excellent habitat 1742 William Byrd operated two flour mills in Manchester. for fish and other wildlife. 1771 The Great Flood crested around 40 feet. In the spring, 1772 Bateaux shoot the rapids. shad, herring, 1785 James River Company incorporated to build Canal System. and rockfish migrate upriver 1800 Hollywood Paper Mill established along north bank to spawn. Fish- serviced by a canal in 1887 and became a hydroelectric plant Great Blue Heron eating birds, like from 1940–1972. great blue her- 1801 Flour mill established at Tredegar Iron Works site, became ons, cormorants, an armory in 1802 and Tredegar Iron Works in 1837. and fish crows, 1804 Manchester Mill Canal formed. line the shore and islands, 1834 Gallego Mills established on the north bank. while anglers 1865 14th Street Bridge destroyed by retreating Confederate Cormorant crowd the Mayo soldiers after setting fire to Richmond. Stone and brick Bridge to your sewers installed by the city. far right. At 1958 Primary treatment of wastewater entering the river begins. any time, keep a lookout for 1969 Hurricane Camille crested at 28.6 feet. rafts, kayaks, and 1972 Hurricane Agnes crested at 36.5 feet. canoes shooting Fish Crow 1973 Secondary treatment of wastewater begins. the rapids. 1985 Tropical Storm Juan crested at 30.76 feet. The jagged rocks and islands to your right were once part of a granite 1990s Fish passage at William’s Dam. quarrying operation and were con- Floodwall protects 759 acres of the city. nected by bridges to the larger Mayo New CSO plan to carry combined sewer overflow closer to Island downstream. Mayo Island sewage plant and out of James River Park. marks the lower edge of the Fall Line Bosher’s Dam fishway provides migrating fish a passageway and the beginning of the flat tidewa- through Richmond. ter area. The Fall Line in Richmond Renovation of the Kanawha and Haxall Canals. is a 7-mi le wide band of granite that An Interpretive Guide to the Richmond Floodwall JAMES RIVER PARK SYSTEM created river rapids, which begin north side of the river. The Devil’s west of here at Bosher’s Dam near the The Old Dominion Railway Kitchen Rapids are hidden among Willey Bridge. The length of granite Museum is located at Hull the islands in between. actually extends about 1,000 miles and 1st Streets and is at the 5 Set of Stairs Rising Over from New Jersey to Georgia. Most midpoint of the walk. Swinging Gate large eastern cities were located along Below these stairs is a floodwall it because early ships could not sail Looking toward the railroad is a closure that allows Norfolk Southern up through the rapids. The energy large, open, earthen area without rail- trains to cross through the wall. No- of the rapids was then harnessed to road tracks. It was the site of the Nor- tice how it can be swung closed like power early industry. folk Southern Roundhouse, where a door in the event of a flood. Most Turn around and follow the steam locomotives were turned other closers slide shut. around and repaired. Today, you may path down the hill. It leads The walkway follows the under the footbridge and see railcars on the tracks loaded with pulpwood, a commodity you would canal to Hull Street and is along the railroad to the paved from this point to I -95. underside of the Manchester have also seen a hundred years ago. Bridge. The lovely grass strip is maintained 6 Mayo Bridge Overlook to prevent tree roots from undermin- A large sliding closure that seals off 2 Curving Arches Under the ing the wall. Manchester Bridge the wall during floods is hidden in 4 Machinery Site Regulates Canal the thick concrete wall under you. The earthen levee you are walking on Flow On your right are the grain storage marks the start of the floodwall. The The pipes and machinery around you towers of Southern States Coopera- squared -off rocks on your right are adjust the flow of water through the tive and to the left is the Richmond salvaged materials from the Kanawha wall and into the Manchester Canal Paperboard Company. Canal in a restoration project. The behind you. This millrace supplied Ahead of you are Mayo Island, Mayo open area beyond is the switchyard water to power early flour, textile, Bridge, and the end of the fall line, and repair station for the Norfolk and corn mills. William Byrd blasted where rapids cease and the flatwater Southern Railroad. Ahead of you out the first part in the 1730s. Paper begins. The Mayo Bridge, the first along the path you can see the top of mills and a hydroelectric power plant and most famous bridge in Rich- the cement portion of the floodwall.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Valentine Richmond History Walks Self-Guided Walk of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood
    Valentine Richmond History Walks Self-Guided Walk of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood All directions are in italics. Enjoying your tour? The tour starts in front of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 240 S. Laurel Street Take a selfie (near the corner of Idlewood Avenue and Laurel Street). and tag us! @theValentineRVA WELCOME TO OREGON HILL The Oregon Hill Historic District extends from Cary Street to the James River and from Belvidere Street to Hollywood Cemetery and Linden Street. Oregon Hill’s name is said to have originated in the late 1850s, when a joke emerged that people who were moving into the area were so far from the center of Richmond that they might as well be moving to Oregon. By the mid-1900s, Oregon Hill was an insular neighborhood of white, blue-collar families and had a reputation as a rough area where outsiders and African-Americans, in particular, weren’t welcome. Today, Oregon Hill is home to two renowned restaurants and a racially and economically diverse population that includes long-time residents, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) students and people wanting to live in a historic part of Richmond. You’re standing in front of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, which began in 1873 as a Sunday school mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Richmond. The original church building, erected in 1875, was made of wood, but in 1901, it was replaced by this building. It is Gothic Revival in style, and the corner tower is 115 feet high. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
    [Show full text]
  • IPMBA News Vol. 19 No. 2 Spring 2010
    Advocacy Spring 2010 ipmbaNewsletter of the International Police newsMountain Bike Association IPMBA: Promoting and Advocating Education and Organization for Public Safety Bicyclists. Vol. 19, No. 2 National Bike Month “Growing Up” with IPMBA by Maureen Becker by Sally Swanson Executive Director CEO and Founder, BRATWEAR ince 1956, May has been recognized as National Bike ops on bikes? What the heck? How did I get myself Month. The third week of May is considered National mixed up with this? I’ll answer those questions – and Bike Week, and the third Friday in May is designated as more – while I tell you a little story about my life National Bike to Work Day. these past 20 years. Of course, for some people, every It was 1989, and as the founder of FLASHWEAR, innovative day is Bike to Work Day, and for workout wear for the sports enthusiast, Spandex® had become many IPMBA members, every day my passion, then my livelihood. It didn’t take long for word is “Bike for Work” Day. to spread around town about the lady who had experience with making clothing for active individuals. The cops must have This year, Bike Month participants done their detective work, because the first group to contact will have much to celebrate. In the me was the Puyallup Police Department. Their bike team was wake of the 10th Annual National getting ready to patrol the well-known Western Washington Bike Summit, Secretary of State Fair, and the uniforms they had been wearing just didn’t Transportation Ray LaHood work. They tried clothing from Nashbar, Performance, and announced a new policy statement other suppliers of cycling attire, but it really didn’t come close (http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/ to what they needed.
    [Show full text]
  • Maryland Historical Magazine, 1950, Volume 45, Issue No. 1
    MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE -. % * ,#^iPB P^jJl ?3 ^I^PQPQI H^^yjUl^^ ^_Z ^_^^.: •.. : ^ t lj^^|j|| tm *• Perry Hall, Baltimore County, Home of Harry Dorsey Gough Central Part Built 1773, Wings Added 1784 MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY BALTIMORE larch - 1950 Jft •X'-Jr t^r Jfr Jr J* A* JU J* Jj* Jl» J* Jt* ^tuiy <j» J» Jf A ^ J^ ^ A ^ A •jr J» J* *U J^ ^t* J*-JU'^ Jfr J^ J* »jnjr «jr Jujr «V Jp J(r Jfr Jr Jfr J* «jr»t JUST PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY HISTORY OF QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND By FREDERIC EMORY First printed in 1886-87 in the columns of the Centre- ville Observer, this authoritative history of one of the oldest counties on the Eastern Shore, has now been issued in book form. It has been carefully indexed and edited. 629 pages. Cloth binding. $7.50 per copy. By mail $7.75. Published with the assistance of the Queen Anne's County Free Library by the MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY 201 W. MONUMENT STREET BALTIMORE 1 •*••*••*•+•(•'t'+'t-T',trTTrTTTr"r'PTTTTTTTTTTrrT,f'»-,f*"r-f'J-TTT-ft-4"t"t"t"t--t-l- CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Dftrkxr-BTKrTVTMn FRANK W. LINNEMANN BOOKBINDING 2^ Park Ave Magazines, medical books. Old books rebound PHOTOGRAPHY THE "^^^^ 213 West Monument Street, Baltimore nvr^m^xm > m» • ^•» -, _., ..-•-... „ Baltimore Photo & Blue Print Co PHOTOSTATS & BLUEPRINTS 211 East Baltimore St. Photo copying of old records, genealogical charts LE 688I and family papers. Enlargements. Coats of Arms. PLUMBING — HEATING M. NELSON BARNES Established 1909 BE.
    [Show full text]
  • Maryland Historical Magazine, 1946, Volume 41, Issue No. 4
    MHRYMnD CWAQAZIU^j MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY BALTIMORE DECEMBER • 1946 t. IN 1900 Hutzler Brothers Co. annexed the building at 210 N. Howard Street. Most of the additional space was used for the expansion of existing de- partments, but a new shoe shop was installed on the third floor. It is interesting to note that the shoe department has now returned to its original location ... in a greatly expanded form. HUTZLER BPOTHERSe N\S/Vsc5S8M-lW MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE A Quarterly Volume XLI DECEMBER, 1946 Number 4 BALTIMORE AND THE CRISIS OF 1861 Introduction by CHARLES MCHENRY HOWARD » HE following letters, copies of letters, and other documents are from the papers of General Isaac Ridgeway Trimble (b. 1805, d. 1888). They are confined to a brief period of great excitement in Baltimore, viz, after the riot of April 19, 1861, when Federal troops were attacked by the mob while being marched through the City streets, up to May 13th of that year, when General Butler, with a large body of troops occupied Federal Hill, after which Baltimore was substantially under control of the 1 Some months before his death in 1942 the late Charles McHenry Howard (a grandson of Charles Howard, president of the Board of Police in 1861) placed the papers here printed in the Editor's hands for examination, and offered to write an introduction if the Committee on Publications found them acceptable for the Magazine. Owing to the extraordinary events related and the revelation of an episode unknown in Baltimore history, Mr. Howard's proposal was promptly accepted.
    [Show full text]
  • Ia at the Head of the Lake 2000 Annual Conference Review
    Volume 29 Summer 2000 Number 2 IA AT THE HEAD OF THE LAKE 2000 ANNUAL CONFERENCE REVIEW bout 200 members attended the 29th Annual Conference Romanesque-style building that was Duluth’s largest and longest- in Duluth, Minnesota, June 1-4, where iron ore, from mine operating brewery until it closed in 1972. The complex has been to boat, was the principal theme. Participants stayed at the adaptively reused as a retail center and hotel. Although Duluth- downtown Radisson Hotel Duluth–Harborview, which made brew is no longer to be had at Fitger’s, the city has not let A lived up to its name, offering vistas from its upper floors the trend in modern microbreweries pass by. The Lake Superior (including revolving restaurant) of the Duluth-Superior harbor Brewing Co., established in 1994, makes beers in small batches with its vertical-lift bridge, ore docks, grain elevators, lighthouses, using traditional methods and Lake Superior water. SIAers and Great Lakes freighters and ore boats. Wind, rain, fog, and received a tour of the operating brewery and, of course, sampled then sunshine alternatively painted the harbor and Lake Superior the various microbrews. (continued on page 2) beyond with kaleidoscopic patterns and colors. The second of Thursday’s The Radisson was an ideal spot to take in Duluth’s geography, tours visited the water- an important influence on the city’s industrial history. Nestled at front in downtown the head of Lake Superior, Duluth is blessed with a natural harbor, Duluth. The area has St. Louis Bay, isolated and protected from the lake by a long strip been redeveloped as a of land, Minnesota Point.
    [Show full text]
  • Nomination Form
    NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-4018 (Rev. 10-90) U. S. Department of the Interior Richmond Locomotive & Machine Works National Park Service Richmond, Virginia 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) X private ___ public-local ___ public-State ___ public-Federal Category of Property (Check only one box) X building(s) ___ district ___ site ___ structure ___ object Number of Resources within Property Contributing Noncontributing 2 1 ___ buildings 0____ 0_____ sites 0____ 0_____ structures 0____ 0_____ objects 2 1_____ Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register: 0 Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.): N/A 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Cat: Industry /Processing / Extraction Sub: Manufacturing Facility (Locomotive Manufacturing Plant) Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Cat: Industry /Processing / Extraction Sub: Manufacturing Facility (Steep Fabrication) 7. Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Classical Revival Materials (Enter categories from instructions) Foundation: Brick Roof: Metal Walls: Steel Frame / Brick infill Other: Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-4018 (Rev. 10-90) U. S. Department of the Interior Richmond Locomotive & Machine Works National Park Service Richmond, Virginia 8. Statement of Significance Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing) _X_ A Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.
    [Show full text]
  • Maryland Historical Magazine, 1950, Volume 45, Issue No. 4
    MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE Riversdale — Entrance Front Prince George's County MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY BALTIMORE December • 1950 • 4.4. ±4.4.4.4,4.4.4.4. ±4.4.4.4.4.4.4.4.4.4.4.4.4.4.4.4,4.4.4.4.4. J.4.4.4.4.XXJ*.J.J>.J.J.J.J..t.J.J.J.. FOR SALE BY THE SOCIETY Maryland in World War II, Vol. I: Military, by H. R. Manakee. 1950 384 pp. cloth. (Maryland Sales Tax 6c.) $3.25 History of Queen Anne's County, by Frederick Emory. 1886-7. Reprinted 1949. 629 pages, cloth cover. By mail, Maryland sales tax included $7.75 Portraits Painted before 1900 in the Collection of the Maryland His- torical Society, by Anna Wells Rutledge. 1946. 40 pages, illus- trated, paper covers $1.00 Handlist of Miniatures in the Collections of the Maryland Historical Society, by Anna Wells Rutledge. 1945. 18 pages, illustrated, paper covers .60 Augustine Herman's Map of Virginia and Maryland, 1673. Reproduced from original in John Carter Brown Library 6.50 Warner and Hanna's Map of Baltimore, 1801, Collotype reproduction in color 5.00 Old Wye Church, Talbot Co., Md. A History of St. Luke's at Wye Mills, by Elizabeth Merritt. 1949. 42 pages, paper covers .55 Calendar of the General Otho Holland Williams Papers in the Maryland Historical Society. 1940. 454 pages, mimeographed, paper covers. 2.75 Chronicles of Mistress Margaret Brent, by Mary E. W. Ramey. 1915. 12 pages, illustrated, paper covers 1.00 Descendants of Richard and Elizabeth Ewen Talbot of Poplar Knowle, West River, Anne Arundel Co., compiled by Ida Morrison Shirk.
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Documentation of the Site of Venture Richmond's Proposed
    "Richmond, from the hill above the waterworks"; engraved by W.J. Bennett from a painting by G. Cooke; Published by Lewis P. Clover (New York) c. 1843 Historical Documentation of the Site of Venture Richmond’s Proposed Amphitheater By, Charles Pool For the Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council, Inc. Date: September 2013 1 Table of Contents: Introduction ………………………………..………………………………………………………………Page 3 The historic site …………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 6 Venture Richmond’s amphitheater proposal ………….…………………………………Page 10 Canal tow path historically 30 feet wide at this site ………..…………………………Page 13 Canal water elevation at 83 feet from 1840 ……………………………..……………….Page 19 Tow path at least two feet above water level in canal ……………..……………….Page 24 Canal 60 feet wide from 1838 ……………..……………………………………………………Page 27 Canal is a carefully engineered, impermeable structure …………………….……..Page 32 Sacrifice of slaves and immigrants ……………………………..……………………………..Page 36 Archaeological resources on the proposed amphitheater site ………………..…Page 38 Railroad tracks connecting Tredegar with Belle Isle ……………….………………….Page 44 Tredegar wall (anticipatory demolition?) ……………….………………………………..Page 49 Oregon Hill associations with the canal ………….………………………………………..Page 51 Zoning considerations ……………………………………………………………………………….Page 55 Plans for re-watering the James River and Kanawha Canal ……………………….Page 57 Alternative site for Venture Richmond’s largest stage ……………………………….Page 59 Summary …………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 60 2 (Figure 1.) View of Richmond from Hollywood Cemetery, (detail) 1854 (Source: Library of Virginia) The James River and Kanawha Canal provided vital transportation and water power for the development of Richmond. Introduction: It has been said that Richmond possesses such an embarrassment of historical riches that they are not fully appreciated. This is the case with the James River and Kanawha Canal, which is of profound importance nationally as one of the first canals in the nation with locks.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Guidebook to Richmond
    SIA RVA SOCIETY FOR INDUSTRIAL ARCHEOLOGY 47th ANNUAL CONFERENCE MAY 31 - JUNE 3, 2018 RICHMOND, VIRGINIA GUIDEBOOK TO RICHMOND SIA RVA SOCIETY FOR INDUSTRIAL ARCHEOLOGY 47th ANNUAL CONFERENCE MAY 31 - JUNE 3, 2018 RICHMOND, VIRGINIA OMNI RICHMOND HOTEL GUIDEBOOK TO RICHMOND SOCIETY FOR INDUSTRIAL ARCHEOLOGY MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY 1400 TOWNSEND DRIVE HOUGHTON, MI 49931-1295 www.sia-web.org i GUIDEBOOK EDITORS Christopher H. Marston Nathan Vernon Madison LAYOUT Daniel Schneider COVER IMAGE Philip Morris Leaf Storage Ware house on Richmond’s Tobacco Row. HABS VA-849-31 Edward F. Heite, photog rapher, 1969. ii CONTENTS Acknowledgements ..................................................................................iv INTRODUCTION Richmond’s Industrial Heritage .............................................................. 3 THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018 T1 - The University of Virginia ................................................................19 T1 - The Blue Ridge Tunnel ....................................................................22 T2 - Richmond Waterfront Walking Tour ..............................................24 T3 - The Library of Virginia .....................................................................26 FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2018 F1 - Strickland Machine Company ........................................................27 F1 - O.K. Foundry .....................................................................................29 F1 & F2 - Tobacco Row / Philip Morris USA .......................................32 F1 &
    [Show full text]
  • Confederate Wooden Gunboat Construction
    Confederate Wooden Gunboat Construction: Logistical Nightmare By Adam C. Edmonds May, 2011 Director of Thesis: Lawrence E. Babits, Ph.D. History Department The Confederate States Navy built wooden gunboats throughout the American Civil War. Within Civil War literature, more research and detailed analysis of Confederate States Navy construction focuses on building of ironclad vessels. Wooden gunboat construction is largely ignored. This thesis examines wooden gunboat construction in two different areas of the Confederacy: northeastern North Carolina in Washington and Elizabeth City, and the Mars Bluff Navy Yard in South Carolina. Before presenting two Confederate wooden gunboat construction case studies, a look at Confederate industrial, manufacturing, and transportation infrastructure, from the national perspective, brings into focus the logistical limitations station commanders faced in northeastern North Carolina and at Mars Bluff more clearly. Scattered, yet interdependent, marine manufacturing and ordnance facilities, connected by a suspect transportation network, created a logistical nightmare. Historical investigation into wooden gunboat construction in Washington, Elizabeth City, and Mars Bluff, examines an overlooked Confederate States Navy building program. CONFEDERATE WOODEN GUNBOAT CONSTRUCTION: LOGISTICAL NIGHTMARE A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the Department of History East Carolina University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Masters of Arts in History By Adam C. Edmonds May 2011 © Adam Edmonds,
    [Show full text]
  • “GITTIN STUFF” the Impact of Equipment Management, Supply & Logistics on Confederate Defeat
    “GITTIN STUFF” The Impact of Equipment Management, Supply & Logistics on Confederate Defeat BY FRED SETH, CPPM, CF, HARBOUR LIGHTS CHAPTER “They never whipped us, Sir, unless they were four to one. had been captured. For four years they had provided equipment and supplies from If we had had anything like a fair chance, or less disparity of Europe to support the Confederacy and its numbers, we should have won our cause and established our armies. Since the beginning of the war, independence.” UNKNOWN VIRGINIAN TO ROBERT E. LEE.1 Wilmington, North Carolina had been a preferred port of entry for blockade-run- ners because Cape Fear provided two entry the destruction or capture of factories and channels, which gave ships a greater oppor- PREFACE farms in the Deep South and Richmond. tunity for escape and evasion. Also, rail fter defeat in the Civil War, known by The lack of rations at Amelia Court House, lines ran directly from Wilmington to A some in the South as “The War of which has been called the immediate cause Richmond and Atlanta.4 Northern Aggression,” Southerners were in of Lee’s surrender, is examined in detail. By the fall of 1864, Wilmington was a quandary regarding their willingness for Most importantly, the article addresses how one of the most important cities in the war. As discussed in the first article of this the inability of its leaders to conduct pro- Confederacy – it was the last operating series, the North had the overwhelming ductive logistics, equipment, and supply port. Confederate armies depended on advantage in industrial capability and man- management led to the decline and ulti- Wilmington for lead, iron, copper, steel, power.
    [Show full text]
  • Illustrations Locomotive Notation Liverpool Pocahontas Black
    Illustrations 60 miles of track from Petersburg, Virginia to the Roanoke River in North Carolina, and later to nearby city of Weldon. 10 miles of track from Petersburg, Virginia to the deep-water harbor at City Point, now part of Hopewell, Virginia. The illustration of the Buckingham is based on the only known photograph of a Tredegar locomotive, and that of the Liverpool on Chartered February 10, 1830. First 30 miles of track opened in October, 1832. Completed October, 1833. Chartered on January 26, 1836. Construction began in mid-1837. The first train was run on September 7, 1838. Bury’s original drawings. The other four are based on lithographs The Liverpool was one of the most important early locomotives and the first successful one built by prepared by the manufacturers. the Bury Company of England. It was named after the city where it was built. It had state-of-the-art The City Point Railroad owned two locomotives - the Pocahontas and the Powhatan. Both The tender was essential for operation as it carried the wood and features, such as wood lagging around the boiler to conserve heat. The cylinder was located inside the featured the new 4-2-0 Jervis design. The four drive wheels were replaced by a four-wheel truck water. The photograph of the Tredegar locomotive shows it. The boiler, and the frame was contained entirely within the width of the wheels. This permitted it to pass on a pivot and two drive wheels. This permitted tighter turns, use on crude track, and longer other reference materials do not as tenders were often built by the through narrow spaces.
    [Show full text]