Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-08-07
LANES RIVER CANAL.


the Canal from the upper arch the termination
of Gamble and Briggs contract) to the mouth
orTuckahoe creek. The ground along which
this portion of the canal is to pass presents few
or no difficulties, and il is expected that the
canal vii, be so far completed in the course of
the present season.
The mouth of Tuckahoe creek, it will be
remembered, is within the section of country
embracing the coal lands. And for the pur-
pose of afIording an entrance into the canal
from the south side of the River, for the be-
neiit ofthe coal trade, damis to reconstruct
ed across the river, little above the head of
Sabot's island. This dam, from the advance
ed periods of the season, will probably not be
constructed until next summer and conse-
quently the canal, although it will in all proba-
bility he opened, will not be in use this season.
There is however every reason TO believe, from
present prospects, that this part, of what is
called the first section of the canal, will be in
3lse in the course of next summer.
Ii is believed that the most dangerous place
in navigating James River, between Rich
nond and Lynchburg, as place called Sgd
nor's Point, few miles above Richmond. AT
this place, l am informed, twelve boats were
wrecked in the month of February last AS
soon as the above mentioned portion, of the
first section of the canal, is opened and the
dam and locks are constructed, boats employ
ed in the transportation of produce, will enter
the canal at that place and thereby avoid sgd
nor's Point, and other places of danger below
The mouth of Tuckahoe creek.
The principal engineer, in his report TO the
Board of Public Works, has estimated the
costs of a continued canal, from Richmond to
Lynchburg, at the sum Of eight hundred and
fifty thousand dollars. The Engineer states
it as his belief, that this estimate is a liberal
one: and that il is SO will be manifest from
an examination of data upon which it is made.
1t is founded, principally, upon the estimates
furnished for opening the New York Canal.
The New York Canal is wider and deeper
than the James River Canal; and hence the
labour necessary in removing the dirt is much
greater. No part of the work of the james
River Canal, is estimated by the engineer at
less than twelve cents per cubic foot, and We
~ little below twelve aud half cents. 1t will
be seen, by the annual report of the New
York Canal Commissioners, that great part
OF that canal, has been done at ii cents per
cubic foot. Another circumstance in regard
to the costs of the James River Canal, should
rot be forgotten. The locks which constitute
no mconsiderable part of the cost, are estima-
ted by the Engineer at six hundred and fifty
dollars per foot. II Is now reduced TO Il GER
tainty that the costs of this part OF the work,
is greatly overrated-As persons are offering
To contract for the construction of the locks
for much less. Under these considerations and
others which might be stated, am disposed
TO think that twenty-five per cent. may be
stricken from the estimates of the principal
Engineer. Ifso, the total expense Of opening
acontinued canal, thirty feet wide and three
deep, from Richmond TO Lynchburg, NAV be
estimated at about six hundred thousand dol
lars. This sum it is in contemplation to raise ;
and II Is confidently expected it will be raised
by tolls upon the canal itself. Thus this great
work, in all human probability, will be ac-
complshed ithout one cent of cost to the
commonwealth.
In order to ascertain the vast importance of
the canal TO the public Interest, let any person
who has time or inclination, make ii calcua-
ton OF the annual saving of costs, III the trans
portation of the produce of the country, and
foreign goods between the town of LYNCH
burg and the city of Richmond. have not
such information will enable me to make
such calculation generally, and therefore will
coniine my remarks to the saving in freight of
TOBACCO only. Ii IS aScertained from cXperi-
ence, that the price of freight, upon Il canal
navlSated with what is commonly called a
horse power does not exceed one cent per
ton mile. This however is exclusive of tolls.
Assuming then, ten Thousand hogsheads of
tobacco, as the probable quantity annually
transported from Lynchburg to Richmond /;
and taking the average freight upon a sluice
navigation, to be thirty three cents per hun
dred: Il know it is less at present, but con-
sider the freight at this time as greatly below
I'm average price, the annual saving in the trans
rortation oftobacco alone, allowing something
lor the superior safety of canal navigation,
VIII be something like forty thousand dollars.
AND the saving (but this ] admit is altogether
conJectlTed) IN the transportation of other pro-
uuce oil the country and foreign goods, may
perhaps amount to as much more
had gone thus far in preparing this essay,
when a letter Of Colonel Gamble, the Engi-
neer, and pricipal agent of the James River
company, to agentleman in the neighbourhood
OIL this place, dated Richmond, 26th of July
id@i, was put into my hands. From which
le'ter nave made the following extract: 90 last
week contracts wer entered into for the grca-
Ter part of the excavation required for the next
section OF the canal (extending from the upper
arch,l to the western mouth of Tuckahoe
Creek, and before the end Of next week the
residue OF the work embraced i'm that section.
VIII DC contracted for, embracing the shaping
ana deepening Tuckahoe Greek itself building
sundry stone walls, two locks, and dam across
James River. The River commissioners, are
summoned TO attend here next week, TO rat-
OF REJECT these contracts. The contracts
% iar as they have gone are under the est-
mates oftheEngineers."
have made Me foregoing extract, for the
purpose of showing the zeal and activity, with
winch the James River Company, and their
isSenis, are prosecuting this great work.-And
nkewise for the purpose of giving to the public
,ie important infOrmation that in point Of fart,
t ,, work IS progressing at less costs than cs-
pmated by the Engineer.
d" Friend to Internal Improvement
CONIMODODE pRDDn~-