Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-23
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CANAL COMMISSIONERS,
(CoNCLUDRD.(
OF THE STATE OF NEW-YoRK,


PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATURE, FEBRUARY
20, 1924.
(coNcLUDsp.)
Between Lockport and Rochester, the canal has
been prosecuted with energy, though owing to un-
controuable causes it has not all been 'nadc rca-
DIV for navigation. The spring and fall have hoth
afforded very little good weather during the last sea-
son, and have had to encounter much more rock
on this part of the line than WAS expected. And
there grounds to believe, that what remains to
he done, may he managed more economically daring
the ensuing season, than ii could have been during
the last. For in consequence OF the competition for
labourers, in SO great length of line was then
in the of construction, wages were high. And
the drought of 1922 made it very expensive
to obtain the vegetables for men, and the coarse
grain and hay for cattle. The completion of tie
Champlain Canal, OF the eastern section of the Erie
canal, and of part OF the western section thereof,
with the more abundant harvests of last season,
have now reduced these causes of expense, within
moderate limits.
The whole country lyt$z. between Genessee river
undcraid nv rock, but very little sunk beneath the
surface of the earth. In several places rock con-
sttutes the surface, and in many Others, come in
contact with it considerably above the bottom of
the canal. On this section Of the canal line,
have met with rock from two to- eighteen feet in
depth, thirty-six sections. And the expense OF
excavang this material, ell as the quantity to
, be removed, has much exceeded all previous cacu-
lutiop Ii cost from fhrce 10
bic yard. And have almost uniformly found,
that wherever rock occurs, the earth around is I'M
commonly hard. heavy, and expensive TO break up
and remove. OF the rock sections, fourteen
tireiy completed, and i'll the aggregate at least three
fourths of the other sections cxcavated.
From Rochester to Brock Port, the canal
completed and filed with water about the tenth of
October; and this part of the line, abont 200 miles
in length, produced TOLL before the closed,
OF s 13l 13. From Brock Port to the Mountain
,l,
canal. Many sections included i'll this distance
completed. All the heavy mason-work is done !;
and the four great embellishments at Oak-Orchard
creek, FISH creek Otter creek and Sandy creek,
nearly done. In the county of Genes see the canal
line passes more numerous ridges and ravincS, than
it does any where else i'll the same length In Muir
ray, Barre, Games and Ridscway, there several
high ridges be cut through, and many considera-
bic hollows and ravines there to be filed up, be-
sides the four above mentioned. And it is con-
sideration of interest in reference to all these
entertainments, that being nearly raised to their ut
most height at the close of the last season, they will
be rendered more safe for the admission of water,
when they shall be finished, by the greater sOlidy
and compac tness which the breaking up OF the win
ter, and the rains of the spring will be to give
them. Sandy creek cmbankment is the highest the
Erie canal, being about scventy-siX feet. The great
cmbankment across the valley OF the Irondcsuot is
seventy-two.
From Brock Port to Buffalo, the Eric canal is no,
yet completed; the distance being about scveuy-six
miles. Aud the best estimate able make
of the money necessary for its completion, is as fol-
lows, viz:
From Brock Port to the brow of the
Mountain Ridge, 100000
For the completion of the FIVE pair Of
locks at I.ockpor, 10000
From Lockport TO Toncwanta creek, I,W100
Tow path. along Tonewanta creek, $4,000
Bridges oil said tow path, 1900
One lift-lock, and three guard-locks- $4,000
From IuneWanta creek Black Rock
harbor, 10000
Black Rock harbor, 5000
From Black Rock to Buffalo, d0,5Oo
Sloop Lock, 1900
;Sa2G000
This is exclusive OF ali claims for damages and
all disbursements for superintendent and repair
The great aqueduct across the Genessee river Is
completed. 1t is Il structure of admirable soliditv
and beauty, and composed of the most durable ma
terials. 1t SOP feet in length and consists of elc-
ven arches supported by the necessary abuments
and piers, and surmounted by strong parapet
walls properly faced on both sides, and protect
ed the top by a coping of very large and beau
,iful limestone. The whole work is laid in goo;
waterproof lime, and thoroughly grouted The bot
tom of the trunk consists of tagging stone we'll it-
ted together, and bedded in thin mortar, AMI the
towing path is protected on the outside by Il SUBJ
s,antial, but plain iron railing.
This work has cost more than was originally an
ticipated for the following reasons:
LIST. After the contract was taken, and while the
work was going OH, there great increase, in
that part OF the sFate, the price of the ucccssares
of life, and OF course in that of labour. There
two successive contracts executed for the com
pleon of this work, the first in Juue 1921 and the
SECOND i'll the latter part of the same year. The
: second contract rendered necessary, by the
death of the man, into whose hands the charge OF
The work fell uudUr the first. Throughout the wear
1921, the price Of NIL articles required for the SUBJ
sistence Of men and cattle, was very low, and the
expenses Of carrying canal contracts, was propor-
tionably reduced Under the influence of this state
of things, propositions were made and received for
the construction of the aqueduct. But in 1922 the
advantages of the navigation enjoyed, on that mart
OF the Erie canal, which finished, had a great
effect increase the expcncc of further operations
and this effect augmented in the vicinity of
Genesee river, by the extended navigation of 1928
This eject not realized, when the contracts
for the aqueduct entered into, and it was of
procurement.
2d. The quarriesof stone which were Judged suit
able for this work, abandoned on trial in con-
sequence of their being found Insufficient to resist
the power of frost; But before giving them up con-
siderable expense and labor had been laid out upon
them On searching for other quarrics after great
pains had been taken, could be found contain
ing stone combining all the qualities which were
not very difficult OF access very expensive to quar-
ry, and very hard to cut And being admonished,
Ivy all observation of the dangers to which this
work would be exposed, thought it our duty to
encourage and insist the using of stone of unust-
al size, and ON having them secured together by
more numerous and larger iron clamps let into the
stone and securely bolted than we have any where
else thought necessary. The stone chiefly used i'm
the body of the work. red sandstone of very fine
grain and strong cohesion, and composed of slick
and iron. And in quarryiug them, hch was done
by and spltting,i ii became requisite remove many
II =. l. .CT.