Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-08-18

The subJooed article from . disinfereslcd
source, gives some idea Of the ms gnitude Of
the gigantic york which is nov Constructing
on the msrgid Of the Potomac. ". Inf.
From TIE National Gazette.
The following extract IL q part OF a letter nd
dressed TO the editor Of this g.z.us b, a very in
Uihsent gentleman particularly sonvcIsant viii,
civil engineering. We publish all such c ssino-
ny with pleasure and promptitude.
"DEAR SIR: The interest you have
steadily manifested towards all objects
connected with the Improvement Of our
country. induces me TO address you
some few observations which we're suy-
gested by a personal examination Of \
portion OF the Canal nov construct
along the valley Of the Potomac, with
view TO connect the Chesapeake with
the river Ohio.
My limited time did not permit
me TO examine beyond the Great Falls
ct the Potomac. a distance Of twelve
miles from the city Of Washington.
On the whole of that distance, the ca
nal. entirely completed, is never less
than 20 feet at the water line. with a
depth OF feet; at many places i,
reaches l20, and even eco feet and
over, with depth Of 8 aud 10 feet
The locks, 90 IN number and Of feet
lift each, are all of 100 feet in length,
within gates, md Is feet wide; they
are built some OF tie free-stone Of A.
qua creek, some Of the Seneca red
sand stone, some Of granite found in
the valley Of the Potomac; in their
planning and execution. they are COM
Plete models. The method Of filling
the lock by means Of lateral culycrts
deboueh'ug in three places within the
tpit, - generally resorted to; 10 some
instances, however. east non sluice
gaies, on the principle Of Venetian
blinds, are used; and in one instance.
n lock has its fall made IN advance Of
the head gates, leaving within it ahd
lie hollow coiss full room for the gates
to open or close-in this case The lock
IS hlled through sluIce gates. This last
method - very ingenious, and seems
well adapted TO stessnboat navigation,
which the present dimensions Of the
canal could easily accommodate.
These twelve miles, most Judi
ciously located. exhibit a bOldness i'm
their relief and trace, unriyalled by
any similar work IN our country. For
instance. at the Great Falls Of the Pc
tomac, tho river banks presenting al
most insupersble difficulties for taking
canal along its margin-tLe level
was kept or, much below the Falls,
the line taken on q table land back
from the river, aud at this elevation,
brought through long and deep ravine
to the head Of the Falls. This part is.
most sssuredly, one Of the boldest ia
canal works,-pTesenting, az one point.
an embankment So feet above the bed
OF the river supporting the canal cue
through rocks IS feet under summit.
and Offering, along the deeply indented
margin OF the TAvine, a towing path,
on which the traveller, On foot OF horse
back, suspended may say in the ayr,
beholds under bic feet = mighty chnsfn
through which whole torrents could
} hov. Wben, however, this level will
be blled with eater, al will assume
the even qaietness Of q series If small
lakes, and the surmoaDted difficulties
will be forever lost 10 the sishi Of the
asionIshed bebolder.
This much Of this great undertak /.
ing would alone add, II possible, " the
already well.scquiTed fame Ut the dis
tingnished Chief Engineer employed
, By the Company, and -, consider,
, welt calculated 10 give new conhdence
N tie eventasi success Ut the truly
, national scheme Of internal Improve
.ment"