The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-05-25
friends of this important work, with pecuh-
ar interest and satisfaction.

CHESAPEAKE AND DELAWARE CANAL.
1oMe Editor Of The Hlilmingtonian.
SIn-Obscrving in your paper your request,
to be again furnished with authentic information
as to the progress of the Chesapeake 8. Della
ware Canal, have recently traversed the line for
the purpose of obtaining it, and personally exam
ining the state of the work. | had not done this
since the period ofmy former communication; al
though, in the interim, have been at different
points, and was always gratifcd to find that the
work was prosecuting with vigor.
As before remark ed, the lire of the Canal is
divided into three contracts. The first is that of
Reybold g. Clark, which extends from the Della
ware river to st. Georges, about Al miles-3i
miles of the distance embracing the St. Georges
| Marshes. These gentlemen have exhibited re-
markable energy and perseverance in prosecut-
ing their work, and have made progress cor
responding with their excrtions; having, as I
was informed by one Of the Engineers, effected
in the short period of Z months, more than $50,
900 yds. of excavation; and carted more than
300,o00 yds. of earth on to the marsh, from tho
adiadent points, to make the banks. These
banks arc nearly completed, and have become,
throughout their whole extent, solid and perrna-
nent, and rode along the towing path the
whole distance from Delaware river to ST.
Georges. The most complete success has at
sured me, the Canal would be navigable to ST.
Georges in the early part of July, and from pres
cnt appearances entertain no doubt of its ac-
| compshment. They informed me that they
have now force equal to 800 men, and that they
have maintained an average equal to that Nun
Der, since they commenced their operations in
October. They have now more than mile ad-
lacent to the Delaware river, bottomed and com
| pletcd in beautiful manner. They also told
me they had contracted for the building of the
Lock at St. Georges, and that they were bound
to finish tbeforc October; and they must, con-
Isequently, have the Canal navigable at an early
period to save themselves the expense Of trans
porting the stone by land
The Tide Lock at the Delaware river, is of
solid and substantial masonry, resting on found
alton of unquestionabc stability, as is evidenced
by its having stood unimparcd the action of two
winters
About $50 feet of the N. side of the harbour,
at the debouchmcnt of the Canal into the Della
ware, is constructed; and am informed, il is in
tended to build about the same distance on the
S. side this sccson- saw that the workmen
were engaged at it, and understood that the ma
| terals were all prepared
| The contractors for the Eastern division of the
Deep Cut, arc also prosecuting their contract
with unabating vigor, having, as was informed,
already excavated from the summit exceeding
500, ,o0oyds. and at other points more than 75ouo;
or about4 0,0o0yds in all, since they commenced
in November. They have now employed, power
exceeding 300 men. They have began boating
the earth to form the emaankmcnt in St. Georges
Pond; and have IA boats engaged at it. They
have also erected about 90 excavatng machines,
as they term them, which are now in operation.
These machines are of simple constructions con-
ssting merely of an upright shaft with a drum
wheel, around which>a rope winds, and draws
up the bank of the Canal cylinder, calculated
to contain cubic yard of Garth The machines,
was informed by the contractors, had been
found to answer an excellent purpose at the
depth the excavation has now attained; and their
capability Of being used during rainy periods,
when the roads would be bad, gave them decd-
ed preference over the ordinary mode Of rcmov-
ing the earth by carts
Twas much gratihed to learn from the contract
ors that, by a new arrangement made with the
Board of Directors, they were bound to COM
pete their contract by the 1st of March 1897; and
that Mr. Dexter had made the same arrangement.
They informed me that they remove from the
deep cut, from 90, to 10000 yards per month,
and that when they should have all their ma
chines and other modes in operation they should
equal 100000; and th,t they had now only about
100000 yards to remove, so that the completion
ofthe work within the time specified, may be
confidently anticipated
On enquiring, found that an engagement had
also been made, and the necessary materials
provided, for the Bridge at the Buck; and the
contractor informed me that he should undoubt
edly finish it by the lst Of Sept. This bridge is
to be 22o feet span, and 80 feet above the water,
and will afford an extensive and beautiful view