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Coata Rica railway.
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1
COSTA RICA RAILWAY.
COSTA EICA, the smallest of the ancient Spanish States com¬
posing the Captaincy of Guatemala in Central America, is situated in
latitude 10 North and Longitude 84 West. It has a frontage of about
200 miles to each Ocean, and the distance across the Isthmus is about
120 miles. The general aspect which the country presents is a gradual
rise from each Ocean to a large extent of table-land, about 40 miles long
by 10 broad, varying from 3000 to 4000 feet above the level of the sea.
After the independence, whilst the States of Guatemala, Nicaragua,
San Salvador and Honduras fell into disorder, in which most of them still
remain ; Costa Eica, then the poorest, fortunately fell into the hands of
men of peace, under whose auspices, and favored by its isolated situation,
it has continued to increase and prosper until it has become the richest
and most flourishing.
Perhaps no country having had so little immigration has ever pre¬
sented an equal illustration of the benefits of peace, industry, and good
government, within the short period of 20 years.
The Capital, San José, is situated on the table-land, about half-way
between the Atlantic and Pacific. It is distant 60 miles from Punta
Arenas (the chief port), which is in the Gulf of Nicoya on the Pacific side.
The Government consists of a President (chosen every three years),
and a Congress, by whom the affairs of the Eepublie are conducted in the
most orderly maimer.
The present President is Don Juan Eafael Mora, an able and high-
principled man, about 44 years of age, now in the second term of his Presi¬
dency, which position, from the high estimation in which he is held, it is
probable he will continue to fill for the remainder of his life.
2
Civil and oriminal law are well administered and life and property
are quite as secure as in England A man may safely travel in the most
unfrequented parts without arms or guard.
The population is probably about 300,000, chiefly the white descend¬
ants of the Spanish settlers. There are no slaves, and the people are very
industrious and thrifty. Except a few aged and infirm, there are no poor,
and most of the labouring men have a cottage, a little land for Maize and
pasture, and also a yoke of Oxen and a Cart.
The style of the dwellings of all classes is improving every year.—
Within the last five years there have been erected in San José a great
number of large, handsome, two-storied houses. A splendid palace
for the purposes of the Government, a large and handsome building for
a University, and another for a Hospital, are all just now being finished.
The climate of the low lands is warm, but ascending becomes gra¬
dually cooler, and on the Table-land the thermometer ranges between 68
and 72, rarely reaching 76.
From the nature of the country a climate may be found suitable for
any people, or for any of the productions of nature, and on the Table-land
Europeans work with the greatest comfort.
The soil for the most part all through the country is fertile, and as
yet manuring is unknown.
At Cartago, the ancient capital, which stands on the edge of the Cor¬
dillera, on the Atlantic side, there are hot mineral springs, which, in addi¬
tion to its having a beautiful climate, will make it a place of great resort
for invalids in the event of a railroad being opened from the Atlantic.
The productions at presentare Coffee, Sugar, Maize, Rice, Tobacco,
t' f very fine quality), Oranges, Plantains, Potatoes, <fcc., &c. The Rica
is perhaps the finest in the world, being grown on the sides of hills, instead
of on low swampy grounds, as in other countries. Coffee is the chief
article of export, and is highly esteemed ; the crop varies from 4,000 to
6,000 tons, the greater part of which goes to England, in payment for
manufactured goods received from England and the United States.
The mineral riches of the country are, however, by far the most
important; their extent is unknown, and something new is perpetually
being discovered.
3
The following may suffice as specimens :—
On the way from the Atlantio to Cartago it is known that there are
several capital copper mines which cannot be worked at present from want
<of a road. All this part is covered with dense forests of splendid Furniture
and other wood.
At Cartago, (75 miles from Punta Arenas), there is a copper mine now
being worked by some Englishmen, which yields 70 per cent, of copper,
and notwithstanding the distance from the port, is considered an excellent
undertaking.
Near San José has just been discovered a large tract on the side
of a hill, containing pure copper in flakes, a sample of which the
writer of this paper brought to England. The Swansea assay gives 9(i|
percent- of copper, and the present value is ¿£110 per ton.
On the mountain of Aguacati, half-way between San José and Punta
Arenas, are several gold mines, which have been worked, but inefficiently,
for many years.
From the same locality there is now in London a specimen of Ore
which gives on assay this result
1,176 ounces Gold ) D
824 „ Silver *Per ton
The working of mines, and the cultivation of exportable produce, are
only limited by the difficulty of conveyance to the port of embarcation.
There are two distinct seasons iu the year—the wet and the dry.
The former commences about the middle of April, from which time until
the end of June the weather is variable, after that period there is rain
every afternoon from about 1 to 5 o'clock, until the end of November.
From December to April rain is almost unknown.
These remarks apply chiefly to the table-land and the Pacific side.
On the Atlantic side there is some rain all the year round, probably owing
to its being covered with forests.
Thus there are about five months of weather available for the pur¬
poses of commerce, and seven months during which the communication is
so difficult as to materially circumscribe all business transactions.
4
Some years ago a considerable amount of goods could be conveyed
after the commencement of the wet season .by means of mules, but these
having been mostly sent to Panama owing to the high prices and vast
consumption there, nearly the whole traffic is dependent, not upon regular
carriers, for there are none, but upon the people all over the country, who
have each a cart or two with which they go to Punta Arenas, just when
the price happens to suit their views.
There has been made, what may be considered for such a country, a
good road between San José and Punta Arenas, but when the rains com¬
mence the cart ruts fill with water, every cart makes them worse, and they
soon become an impassable puddle.
It has been stated that the chief exportable produce is Coffee. The
crop is gathered between the middle of December and the end of February,
so that within the space in which the road may be considered safe, it is
quite impossible to prepare and send it away.
In the years 1852 & 1853, the weather broke up so completely by the
middle of April, that many oxen were lost and much Coffee damaged.
On the 18th April, 1853, the carriage to the port was 4s 9d per cwt.
Rain fell and it doubled in a day. Certain persons having engagements,
sent down 625 tons at an average of 9s per cwt, thus losing £3,000, about
which it was not possible to make any previous calculation. Notwith¬
standing this high rate of carriage, the quantity a cart and a yoke of
oxen could take was so small (8 cwt or less) and the oxen received so
much injury, that it was by no means profitable to the carriers. There
was left in San José fully one-fifth of the crop, whilst several chartered
vessels, whose cargoes were ready to go down, were obliged to sail away
not more than half full. Besides losses thus sustained, Coffee retained
during the wet season depreciates in value from 5s to 10s per cwt.
Such an accumulation of evils, year after year, of necessity elicited
loud calls for a remedy.
Experiments were made with a view to ascertaining the possibility of
making a macadamized road, but were found to be so very costly at first,
and so expensive to keep in repair, that any idea of that sort was of neces¬
sity abandoned. Capital could not possibly be spared for such an
undertaking.
5
It was believed by some of the parties interested, that a single line of
rails could be laid for less money, and be much more easily kept in repair
than a turnpike road, which belief has been abuudantly confirmed on con¬
sultation with engineers both in England and the tropics.
Under these circumstances, the Government were recommended to
borrow money in England, and make a railroad for the national account.
The objection however to having a national debt for any purpose whatever,
was found to be insuperable, as, that system once begun, even for so legiti¬
mate a purpose as a railroad, might very possibly be continued for pur¬
poses of an objectionable character.
Some years ago, aided by the vigorous assistance of Mr. Chatfield,
the then British minister in Central America, Costa Rica paid off he s
national debt, and resolved never to have another.
The Government, therefore, ultimately granted to an Englishman,
resident and holding estates in the country, and to such persons as may
join him in the undertaking, an exclusive privilege for 99 years to have a
railroad from the capital to the Pacific, with power to charge such rates of
carriage and passage, as shall ensure a dividend of 20 per cent per annum.
The road may be made of wood or iron, and be worked either by
animal or by steam-power ; if by the latter the Government give, in addi¬
tion to the dividend arising out of the traffic, a bonus of£6000 per annum,
for 20 years.
The following report has been made by Mr. Charles May, Civil
Engineer, 3, Great George Street, Westminster.
Great George Street, Westminster,
DECEMBER 6th, 1854.
Mr. Richard Earrer.
Dear Sir,
Referring to our interviews in which we have discussed the question
of the formation of a railway from Punta Arenas, on the Pacific coast of
Costa Rica, to San José, the capital of the republic, a distance of about
60 miles, I beg to say I have given the subject my close attention, and
takihg the data and circumstances laid before me, I am of opinion that a
very profitable concern may be made. In the absence of actual surveys
made for railway purposes I proceed upon the statements you have obtained
from the public records, and your personal observation.
6
The main features of the proposed line appear to be, that the first 10
miles from Punta Arenas is nearly a level, for the most part upon a sand
so porous as to take in the heaviest rain as fast as it falls ; the remaining
50 miles being rising ground to San José, about 4,000 feet above the
sea, or a rise of 80 feet per mile, which, if made a uniform gradient, is
1 in 66.
The present traffic I understand is carried on by carts drawn by Oxen,
and the state of the roads is such that each journey from the capital to the
port and back, occupies 10 to 12 days, and so distresses the animals that
they are not fit for another journey, until after a rest of as many more
days ; in fact three journies in four months is as much as can be calculated
upon : the 10 miles of sandy track referred to being particularly distress¬
ing to the animals from the heavy draught, and the scarcity of food
and water.
TVith respect to the quantity of traffic, I am quite satisfied that, for
the plan which I shall propose to you, there is ample to furnish a large
return for the capital required.
As you have a formal concession from the President and Congress for
a period of 99 years, duly executed, giving you the sole right to construct
a railway, my advice would be to form a company for a railway, the whole
distanceof 60 miles, with the understanding that the 10 miles from the
coast should be first constructed, and no further part made until that had
been opened, and the shareholders consulted ; this 10 miles being, in
effect, equivalent to shortening the journey more than one-third of
the time.
The facility with which excellent hard wood sleepers can be pro¬
cured is a most favourable circumstance, the price of round logs of wood
of 1 foot diameter, and 3 varas (or 8 feet 3 inches) long, being 2s 3d each,
making 2 sleepers of large size.
I recommend that the line be constructed, in the first instance, for
animal traction, with rails of about 281bs to the yard, and, for the length
of the sandy part, that the sleepers be laid so close as to form the path of
the animals.
The rolling stock may consist of waggons, weighing about a ton each,
and capable of carrying 2 or 2£ tons ; a yoke of bullocks would draw four
such waggons, and probably even more with ease, on a level road. Per-
7
liaps it will be found more advantageous to use mules, as being somewhat
faster in speed, and should these ultimately not be found fast enough
horses may he introduced, and it may be calculated that these will draw
about twelve times the weight on a rail, that they would do on an ordinary
macadamized road.
I believe a great error has been committed in some places by intro¬
ducing locomotive engines, where the traffic is not of a nature to pay for
high speeds, and the whole establishment unable to sustain the cost of
stilled mechanics, and costly tools to be brought from England. In the
instance before us the advance, from the present state of things, to a
railway by which passengers may he conveyed the 60 miles in 12 hours, is
relatively much greater, than was that of the change in England, from the
days of coaching, to those of railways worked by locomotives.
It is to be considered also that time is treated, in such countries as
the one under consideration, as of less importance than in old civilized
states, and the transition proposed to be effected by this railway is, from
a state that is always very tedious, and often impossible for weeks toge¬
ther, to one of certainty at all times, and with a sufficient speed for all
present mercantile purposes.
It is also to be bome in mind that although the rail proposed is a light
one, it is sufficient for a locomotive engine of considerable power, and
if after working the first ten miles by animal power, the traffic should be
found to increase very greatly, the locomotive power may then be applied
without any costly alteration of the arrangements.
The republic of Costa Rica I understand to be free from slavery, and
the wages of the ordinary labourers about 2s 6d per diem, but I apprehend
that we must calculate upon the labour being virtually dearer than in
England ; we shall therefore estimate so as to cover such a margin, and I
believe that the first 10 miles may be made complete for £1,500 per mile.
I recommend that an Engineer accustomed to such work, be sent out
with a few experienced men, to construct this portion of the road, and the
first-named person could very well superintend the work, and carry on a
survey for the rest of the line and report the result, long before the comple¬
tion of the first portion. The rails and all the materials required from Eng¬
land would not be more than a moderate ship load, and probably in 9 to 12
months, the 10 miles might be opened for traffic.
8
It would be unsafe to mate any estimate of the cost of the hilly part
of the road until the survey is made, as it is impossible to say what earth¬
work and bridges may be required ; but from your description of the ordi¬
nary road used I do not imagine there are any considerable difficulties to
be overcome, or that the oost per mile will so much exceed that of the flat
country, as to prevent the realization ofthe full 20 per cent., which is
allowed to be collected by the concession.
Punta Arenas having a harbour, in which the largest ships can ride
with safety, and San José being about midway between the two oceans, it
is highly probable that it would form an eligible line for connecting the
Atlantic with the Pacific, the climate being salubrious and timber
abundant.
Altogether.I come to the opinion that the undertaking is a very promis¬
ing one, and may form the commencement of a very extended enterprise.—
Where produce has to be taken in large quantities at a rate of £3 or £4 per
ton for 60 miles, there must be room for a large margin for profit on a rail¬
way cheaply constructed.
I remain respectfully,
Yours very truly,
CHARLES MAY.
In accordance with Mr. May's recommendaiton it is proposed to form
a company to be called " The Costa Rica Railway Company."
An offer has been made to make the 10 miles, from Punta Arenas to
the River Barranca, complete with stations, Animals, Ac. &c-, ready
for work, for £7,736
The Rails (281bs per yard,) Waggons, Carriages, &c., to be
gent from England, will cost, inclusive of Freight, Ac. about 6,764
Total £14,500.
Lap a tí ayo
9
The revenue may be taken as follows:—
*200,000 Quintals (lOOlbs each,) being about two-thirds the present
traffic, atl rial (sixpence) 25,000
Passengers 10 dollars per day, (300 days) 3,000
28,000
(The probability ie that on about 20 Festa-days in the year, the passengers
would yield 200 to 250 dollars per day, as the people of Ponta Arenas have
no means at present of going into the country )
Expenses of Clerks, Porters, keep of Animals, repairs of
Eoad, &c 8,500
19,500
Less 10 per cent for General Manager 2,000
Nett Eevenue in dollars .. 17,600
at 5 dois. V £ £3,500
Total Cost £16,000
Eevenue £3,500, or about 22 per cent.
•There is no reason to suppose that the whole of the present traffic will
not be obtained, bnt it is thought better to make a calculation rather under
than over what it may produce.
After these 10 miles shall be completed, the opinion of the Share¬
holders will be taken as to the remaining 50 miles to San José, and
probably also on the propriety of applying to the Costa Eica Government,
for a privilege to continue the road from San José, through Cartago to the
Atlantic, thus opening np a transit line to the Pacific, of a much more
eligible character than any of those hitherto projected.
The whole of this question, however, will he decided according to
the Surveys which will he made duiing the construction of the 10 miles,
now so much required from Punta Arenas to the river Barranca.
To make these 10 miles, and to defray the expenses attendant upon a
survey of the remaining 50 miles, it is proposed to raise a capital of
£16,000 in shares of £10 each; Five Pounds to he paid within one month,
and the remaining Five Pounds at the expiration of the second month from
the date of allotment.
It is expected the 10 miles will be completed within a year.
A short Prospectus, with the names of gentlemen feeling interested
in the undertaking, is forwarded with this pamphlet.
Liverpool, 1 GiA March, 1855.
10
CONTRACT
Made with the Government of Costa Rica, and afterwards
confirmed by the Constitutional Congress.
The undersigned Joaquin Bernardo Cairo, Secretary of State, and
Richard Farrer, the first in the name of the Government of the Republic of
Costa Rica, and the second for himself, his partners and coadjutors, have
agreed to the contract expressed in the following articles :—
1st.—Mr. Farrer, his partners and coadjutors, agree to make a railroad
either of iron or wood, from this city to the Port of Punta Arenas, in order
to establish on the said road means sufficient to export the produce of the
country, and to import foreign goods.
2nd.—Mn Farrer, his partners and coadjutors, will choose the route
to be taken by this road, which may be the present road, or in any other
direction they may think practicable. Should the road pass through
private property, the owners must be indemnified according to the laws of
the country.
3rd.—The same Mr. Farrer, his coadjutors and partners, engage to
begin the said road within eighteen months from the date of this contract,
and to finish it in the space of six years, which will be counted from the
date on which the work is commenced, but if within this term the road
should not be finished, this contract will be null and void, and the company
shall surrender to the Government all the works commenced, and the
privileges granted to them.
4th.—As soon as the road is finished, the rates of freight shall he
agreed upon between the Government and the Company, which shall he
revised each year as the commerce of the country may require; it being
understood that the freights shall always he such that the Company can
divide 20 per cent per annum, and no more, but in no case shall the freight
be more than eight rials (four shillings) per quintal of lOOlbs.
5th.—If the railroad should be of iron, and locomotive engines he
used thereon, the Government obliges itself to give the said Company, in
addition to what is named in the preceding article, thirty thousand dollars
(£6,000) per annum for the first twenty years, to be counted from the day
on which the said railroad is finished and working.
Il
6th.—The Government grants to the Company the exclusive right to
have a railroad in the direction of the Pacific for the term of 99 years after
its completion, during which period the company shall manage the road,
and receive the freights established by article 4th. At the conclusion of
the said term, the road and all the fixed property shall be ceded to the
Government free of charge, but the animals, carriages, &c., shall be taken
at a valuation.
7th.—The Company agrees to convey the mails free of expense, being
accompanied by an agent of the Government.
8th.—The said Company is not allowed to employ more than 200 of
the labourers belonging to the country in the construction of the road.
9th.—The Company is allowed to introduce, free of duty, all mate¬
rials necessary for the making and repairing of the road.
10th.—Also the Company is allowed the use of the Government lands
and wood, or any other materials which may be found on such lands.
11th.—If at the expiration of 25 years after the completion of the
road, the Government should wish to take the said road and its appurte¬
nances, on its own account, it shall be at liberty to do so, on paying the
Company double the capital invested ; if at the expiration of 50 years, the
capital and 50 per cent ; and if at the expiration of 75 years, the capital
and 25 per cent.
12th.—The present road from this city to Punta Arenas may still be
used as heretofore, and those persons who wish to employ themselves as
carriers have a right to do so.
13th.—In case the Company should make use of part of the present
road, it shall be obliged to construct at its own cost another part to re¬
place the one so made use of ; so as not to intercept the passage of car¬
riers, &c., <£e.
14th.—If the Company should convey passengers or goods before the
road is completed, it shall be at liberty to charge the fares and freights
which may appear necessary.
In witness whereof, there is made a duplicate of this document, subject
to the approbation of the Supreme National Government, signed in the
city of San Jose, this third day of February, 1854.
J. BERNARDO CALVO, RICHARD FARRER.
National Palace, San Jose Feb, 9th, 1854,
12
The foregoing contract is approved in all its parts and articles : let a
duplicate be delivered to Mr. Farrer, without omitting to give due notice
to the high Congress of the Nation, and to that end let the usual minute
be made.
JUAN R. MORA,
President.
J. B. CALVO.
Minister of State.
Additional Clause.
It being impossible to make the necessary survey of the most diffi¬
cult part of the country, in consequence of the wet season having com¬
menced, Mr. Richard Farrer,ihis partners and coadjutors, are permitted
(in order not to lose a year) to make the road from Punta Arenas to the
River Barranca or to Esparza, without incurring the forfeiture mentioned
in article 3 of the foregoing contract. However, the said Mr. F., his
partners and coadjutors, are still obliged to give notice within eighteen
months from this date, whether they construct or not the whole of the
road. If he should then give notice that they are able to make it, the clause
of article 3 which relates to the ceding of the road, shall retain its full
force, but if he should give notice that they cannot do so, then he shall
hold and use the part of the road which he may have constructed on the
authority of this clause, and the Government shall be at liberty to make
fresh contracts for the whole of the road to Punta Arenas.
San Jose, June 5,1854.
J. B. CALVO, RICHARD FARRER.
National Palace, San Jose, June 5,1854.
The foregoing clause is approved, and let due notice be given to the
high National Congress.
O Rubric of the President.
O Rubric of His Excellency, J. B, CALVO.
THE WHOLE OF THE PRECEDING, RECEIVED
THE APPROBATION OF THE CONGRESS, ON THE FOUR¬
TEENTH OF JULY, ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED
AND FIFTY-FOUR.