American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-03-23
To the Editor of the Watchman.

SIRAs have observed notice in your paper, Of Mr.
hANDALs to persons wishing to contract for making
Canal from the Daware to the Chesapeake through what
he calls his recommended deep being (consciencosly
OF the decided opinion that the attempt will prove abortve
and OF course alike rnous and Improbable TO the stock
holders and contractors in Justice TO contractors especa
yfrom whom appears ample security will be required
tor their performances, have copied verbaum the words
Of an eminent theoretical and practical engineer not in
eror in any respect to Mr. RANDALL tile engineers who
have recommended the project of this deep c1the late
Mr.. LATRoBE,-he saysf'I feel my duty to make one
remark on this scheme, in Difference to the opinion OF
those who may think it practicable The lowest place
above Mddetown at which the ridge be crossed is g.
feet above tide, and the cut be made feet below the
tide, ii must be 70 feet deep, if each side of the ridge
The best advantage be taken OF natural depression,
nile at least across the ridge must be cut TO this depth
the canal be only 80 feet wide the water line and The
towing path, or guard bench be only 10 feet wide
side the cut will be so feet wide the line The
banks VIII not stand at less proportion than feet of base
on each side to feet in height the surface of the earth
the cut will be 205 feet wide and seventy feet deep and
each yard IN length will contain nearly 1000 cubic Yards
TO dig mile therefore will require the removal Of one
million seven hundred and sixty thousand yards of solid
earth Although is impossible estimate the erbece of such
an enormous undertaking. it is fair to suppose that would
cost not less than 50 cents per yard Thus mile would
more than erhatst The 1ebole capital Of the ComtQu3" And
what is to be done with the EARTH with the springs rush
ing from the sides ofhe opening and cavng them nl The
canal is to be navgaed by vessels which cannot strike
their mass. Its bridges herefore be either draw
bridges turning bridges. All bridges interrupt the
by mased vessels but draw bridges and turning
bridges interrupt the intercourse both by land and water
They are besides constant source Of expence in repairs
and often require to be rebuilt While under repair they
stop all passage by land entirely Four roads of the first
Importance to the peninsula, must necessarily cross the
line Of the canal1st from Ekton2d from Allentown
Sd fom Christiana Bridge and 18th from Wilningo New
port and Newcastle, souhward.By accurate observa-
ton taken at the Bear where the Chsana oa) crosses
to the Red Lion carriage passes every minutes OH
an average, making in II hours 70 carriages The inter
ruption arising 10 the navigation from this numberl
which will probably annually encreasc, be easily i'm
thac
Newpxt, Newcastle and Wilmington. But if the line oil
canal be 50 laid, that the necessary land drains shall fall
into situations in which they may be made not less thanl
from IL to Is feet high and from 20 feet wide the
roads may be made pass under the canal and the
both by andand water, will be free from interruption"
- A.