CHAP. 162.—An ACT to authorize the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
Company to construct and work a branch of its line of railroad
from a point near Hanover Junction to deep water on the Chesa-
peake bay near Piankatank or elsewhere.

Approved March 4, 1380.

Authority to 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
Coeente “™¢ the Chesapeake and Ohio railway company, a corporation orgar-

branch road ized and doing business under the laws of this state and the

tion, in Hanover county, and continuing thence by the most

eligible line, as shall be determined hy said company, to a point

on the deep navigable waters of the Chesapeake bay, on the inlet

known as the Piankatank river, in Mathews county in this state,

or in like manner tu construct from such other point on the
line of said railroad east of Hanover Junction, or by such route

as may be decmed most expedient for the purposes hereinafter

mentioned, to the waters of the Chesapeake bay at such point

as may be hereafter selected by said company, with the same

rights, franchises and privileges to construct, maintain, own

and operate said branch as have heretofore been conferred

upon said company or the companies to which it 1s successor,

as to its main line; also the right to bridge with suitable draw-
bridges such navigable streams as it may cross; also all the
necessary power and authority to acquire by purchase, gift or.
otherwise, as by law provided, the necessary lands and water
fronts, riparian rights adjacent thereto, and to erect thereon such |
wharves, shops, round-houses, warehouses, elevators, coal-tipples,
timber-yards, cotton and tobacco-presses and such other struc-

tures as may be necessary or convenient for conducting a general

transportation business or for transferring articles of freight

between railroad cars and water craft; also the right to main-
tain and operate alineof steamers or steam ferry, with the
necessary barges, car-floats and propelling vessels from said

branch terminus upon and across the Chespeake bay and the

tributaries thereto to a point or points on the shore of the east-

ern counties of Virginia, or to points in the state of Maryland

bordering on said bay. .

2. The work of construction under this act shall begin within
five years from the passage of this act, and shall be completed
within five years after such commencement.

8. This act shall be in force from its passage.