Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 4, 1876
No. 45.
Mr. Seward
to Mr. Fish.
Peking, July 10, 1876. (Received September 5.)
Sir: The Woosung Railway was opened on the 30th ultimo, between Shanghai and Kungwang, the half-way station.
The exercises were not imposing, but it seems worth while to transmit to you the newspaper account of them, so that it may be on record.
On the 1st instant trains were run, upon which Chinese were given free passages. A second newspaper slip inclosed will show you how they availed themselves of the opportunity.
The government does not appear disposed to take any further notice of the enterprise.
I have, &c.,
opening of the woosung railway to kungwang.
[From the North China Daily News, Shanghai.]
Yesterday was consummated, in comparative quietness and with little ceremonial an event that is likely to be the forerunner of the greatest political and social revolution that has marked either the past or modern history of China, an event that will do more, if properly followed up, to bring the people of this great empire within the fellowship of nations than almost anything else that could be devised. It is the thin end of a wedge, powerful enough to break the toughest obstacle to which its force can be applied. So familiar have foreigners become with the mighty changes wrought among western nations by steam-locomotion, that to attempt to enlarge upon them would be to indulge in what would seem to be the merest platitudes. The facts and their corresponding benefits are so well known to us that novelty has given place to custom and familiarity, and the history of the old coach-road, with its dashing four-in-hand, is now only to be found recorded by pen or pencil, or in the spasmodic efforts in a few favored resorts of the old country to revive, as a source of pleasure, that mode of transit which, till within a very few years, was the only means of business-locomotion. But the four-in-hand clubs will never be able to do more than effect a similitude of the old glories of the road, for it is impossible to retrograde. Steam has conquered, and will go on conquering, even in China. Here there are no old coach-interests to set aside, no roads to render next to useless; all is fresh and novel as regards the introduction of steam on land, and the widest possible expanse is presented to the skill and energy of the modern engineer. The only interest to be overset is the self-interest of a class, large, it is true, of itself, but small in comparison with the immense population to be benefited. In the early days of railways in England, the strongest opposition was offered to their introduction, even by the so-called enlightened classes. Noblemen and gentlemen objected to the trigging out of a line near their country-seats, and even the inhabitants of inland and sea-coast watering-places petitioned against their towns being annoyed by their introduction. In fact, to such an extent was this opposition carried that Parliament was obliged to step in and enact the compulsory-powers bill, (as it was familiarly called,) which, by enabling the promoters of railways to secure land at a somewhat reasonable price, gave such an impetus to the construction of the iron ways that in a few years they spread in all directions, the sinews of wealth and prosperity. The benefits derived were soon seen to be so great that all opposition ceased, and the sound of the railway-whistle was everywhere welcomed. And given a fair start, so will it be in China. Steamboats were quickly adopted; opposition ceasing, railways will as quickly follow.
The little line, the opening of four miles and a quarter of which, between Shanghai and the village of Kungwang, we have now to record, will soon, it is to be hoped, prove to be the parent of the system foreshadowed in the map of Sir Macdonald Stephenson in 1864, when even the Woosung Railway was not thought of, and when the mere mention of the future introduction of steam-locomotion was treated as a myth.
But it is time to notice the modest proceedings of yesterday. The line being so far [Page 72] completed, it was deemed unadvisable to delay the opening any longer, and accordingly the managers issued invites to as many ladies and gentlemen of the settlements as the six carriages, which at present constitute the total passenger rolling-stock of the company, would comfortably accommodate. That number was 164, and we believe all accepted the invitation. Half past five was the time appointed for the start, from the goods-platform, at some distance down the line from where the Shanghai station is in course of erection, and almost to the minute, the guests having taken their places, Mr. Morrison, the engineer and traffic-manager, gave the word “Go,” and the first “puffing billy,” (appropriately named the Celestial Empire,) in China, drawing a regular passenger-train, gave its premonitory shriek and whistle, and quickly began to glide out of the station amid the cheers of those assembled on the platform. The open country was soon reached, and as the train went steadily along at about fifteen miles per hour, and with a remarkable absence of oscillation, the country people at work in the fields simply ceased from their labor for the little time occupied in passing by, and then quietly resumed their employment. They seemed immensely interested, but decidedly in the sense of enjoyment rather than hostility. Several bridges and crossings were passed, at each of which there was a group of lookers-on, but these probably had been so accustomed to the daily passing to and fro of the little engine Pioneer with the ballast-wagons, that the sight of the passenger-carriages with the larger engine was no great novelty. Kungwang was reached in seventeen minutes, and here, the company alighting, found a suitable little station, with passengers’ waiting-room and offices; a siding being also provided to allow the passing of the up and down trains. In the waiting-room, which, by the way, is open on the side fronting the line, as at home, was provided an ample supply of champagne and cake. The popping of corks was soon heard, and bumpers were drank between friends of many different nationalities to the success of the first railway in China. These ebullitions of congratulation were, however, centralized soon afterward by Mr. Medhurst, who, mounting a table in response to repeated calls, and amid loud cheers, said:
“Ladies and Gentlemen: You will all agree with me that this is one of the most eventful days that China has ever seen. It is that which witnesses the opening of the first railway; and we owe it almost entirely to the energy and perseverance of Mr. Morrison. I got up here to ask you to give three cheers for Mr. Morrison, and to join with me in wishing success to this magnificent undertaking.”
Three loud cheers followed the speech; and a well-known resident shouting, “Three cheers for Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co.,” these were given with like heartiness, and this was all the ceremonial observed on a day that certainly marks the commencement of a new era in the history of China.
Half an hour having been pleasantly spent in this way, the engine was once more attached to the train, the passengers resumed their seats, and the homeward journey began; fifteen minutes only being consumed in the run up to Shanghai, where the passengers separated, greatly pleased with the success of the little excursion.
Before closing our notice of this interesting event, a few particulars regarding the progress of the line itself may not be uninteresting. The line, which is merely an experimental one, constructed with a view to something better following, is of only 2 feet 6 inches gauge. All the earthwork is finished, and the station-houses at Woosung Creek and at the signal-station at Woosung, are built. Seven miles of rails are laid, and out of a total of thirteen bridges, twelve have been completed; and the thirteenth is in progress. The permanent station at Shanghai is in course of erection, and we understand it is to be of an ornamental character. It may also be of interest to know that the weight of the engines is 9 tons, in working order, and that each engine carries enough coal and water to run to Woosung and back. The carriages are well built and fitted, are 5 feet wide, and constructed to accommodate twenty passengers in the first class, and twenty-four in the second and third. The total length of the line is nine and a quarter miles. After the principal part of the earthwork had been executed, a contract was entered into with Mr. Dixon, of London, for the completion of the line, and the supply of all necessary materials and rolling-stock; this portion of the work having been executed under the direction of Mr. Morrison, the company’s engineer.
It is not likely that the line can be open to Woosung in time to be of much service during the hot weather of this summer. The delay arises from the whole enterprise being on such a small scale. A sufficient amount of plant, and the experienced staff requisite to carry out the railway work quickly and efficiently, would have cost as much as the whole line. In the case of any large works being carried out they could be executed very much more rapidly.
By an advertisement in another column, it will be seen that regular trains are to run each day; but we believe that to-day will be devoted to free trips to Chinese, many of whom showed a strong desire to accompany the foreigners on the trial trip. Indeed, a lot of Chinese made a rush for the train directly the foreigners were clear of the station, and were allowed to run back in it to Kungwan, to their immense gratification.
The news of the partial opening of the line was, we believe, flashed to England by wire immediately after the return to Shanghai.
[Page 73]The neighborhood of the Woosung Railway presented a remarkable scene all day on Saturday, thousands of Chinese presenting themselves to take advantage of the opportunity offered for a free jaunt to Kungwan and back. There was much good-humored pushing and striving to get into the carriages, but the precautions taken by the officials prevented any mischief arising, and it is gratifying to record that no accident occurred. Several trips were made during the day, and the enjoyment of the excursionists was unlimited; laughter and shouts of delight prevailed in all directions, while it was impossible not to notice the intense disappointment of those who failed to obtain seats. The popularity of the new mode of travel is secured beyond doubt, and the news of the success attained is sure to travel far and wide.