14 



THE CUBA REVIEW 



TRIP TO THE IRON MINES OF MAYARI, NEAR FELTON 



In this part of ( 'Ulja the eastern end aroinid Nipe Bay the American influence is to be seen 

 from all sides, and from the time the gasoline car is started at the wharf at Felton, traveling 

 over a railroad that is typically American until the Iron mines of Mayari are reached one's 

 thoughts turn back and wonder how it all happened. It is an interesting tale — this accidental 

 discovery of iron ore away back in the mountains — and sounds like the old stories of western 

 adventure. A party of campers were hunting in the hills on horseback; one member of the 

 party had a knowledge of mining engineering and the red soil to be seen all around aroused his 

 curiosity, so he secured a sample of the earth for analysis, and not to his surprise his find con- 

 tained a large percentage of iron and nickel. This w-as ten years ago and was the begmning of 

 what is to-day one of the busiest spots in eastern Cuba. 



As the 14 miles journey to the mines continues along the ballasted roadbed supporting 

 the 75-lb. rails it is hard to realize that one is on the way to a mine when the tropical fertility 

 of the beautiful Mayari valley is brought to view at every turn. Here is to be seen the most 

 perfect specimens of the Royal Palm, and in the valleys below tobacco grows abundantly, and 

 the sugar cane looks good enough to eat, A Cuban laundry is noticed at numerous brooks 

 as the car speeds along where nature even makes this work easy for the Cubans. 



Felton, Nipe Bay from the Wharf. 



As the first part of the journey nears the end, a rock crusher is passed on the hillside work- 

 ing away at the white rock which is used for ballasting the roadbed for the heavy ore cars. 

 f The usual gangs of roadmen are seen all along the raih-oad keeping the roadbed in condi- 

 tion, for the heavy rains at the usual periods will wash away the tracks for miles unless the 

 best ofvallast is used, which becomes hard and betterwith the rain. The doctor stops off em-oute to 

 give a physical examination to the Cuban workmen, for a great many accidents happen to the 

 inexperienced, and the company makes it a business to take good care of its workmen. The 

 car is now approaching the foot of the first incline, which is 900 feet long, and we must change 

 cars for the regulation incline railway cars. The cars are pushed up and let dow'n this long 

 drop by the force of gravity — the little Barney car appears from underneath and moves along 

 behind the train of cars as a bumper and the loaded cars coming down raise us to the top of the 

 first incline. The red earth is now noticed all around and at points in the hills an engineer is 



