Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-09

miles IL passes, Oh HeCtSsity dioIi VIC iool vi pre-
cipitous cliffs of rocks and encroaches, in many
enough in the vicinity to form its einbankments,
which has consequently been transported for
greater distances, at very heavy cost. In other
cases, the canal Is sustained for several hunured
yards together, by vertical, or slope walls of 60
feet elevation, in order to avoid greater Difficult
ties in adherng to the bed Of the river. In all
cases, works of solid masonry have been subst-
tuted for much cheaper but less durable struc-
lures of wood, that the line of navigation which
the canal is designed to supply, may not be here
after exposed to an untavorable competition win
rival enterprises, seeking the same market west
of the Alegany.
For this reason, in part, its dimensions were
also enlarged in depth and breadth to cross Sec
ton of much more Than double the surface OF that
of the State canals of Pennsy lvania. and New
York. Its locks are longer than those OF Erie
and Juniata canals; yiaductS, under the canal,
have been multiplied. and land purchase effected,
to save the inconvenience. danger and obstruc-
ton to navigation from numerous bridges.
In the construction Of this part OF the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Canal, the cOtemporaneous pros
ecution of all the canals of has. TILL
very lately conspired with the unhealthlness OF
the valley of the Potomac for nearly two months
of every year, to swell the wages of common la
Dor to twice the estimate on which the probable
cost of the canal had been founded.
Two dams of great length, one of them exceed
ing $500 feet also occur on this part OF the ca
nal, as well as a stone aqueduct, of seven arches,
across a considerable river, which is expected
to cost not less than 100, 600 dollars.
Thirty -one lift locks. and three guard locks.
moreover, enter into the cost of the 90 miles OF
canal below Harpers, Ferry; and its termination
between two cities through one of which it pass
es, has involved deep cut, partly through rock,
in some places exceeding So feet in depth This
result OF an indispensable compromise between
the three rival corporations OF the District; and
the capacious basin between those cities. which
is necessary appenhage to the termination OF
the entire canal, rather than to particular part
of it. also served to swell this cost.
After these explanations, it will not surprise
those who are at all cOnversant with such sub
iects, that the cost of the construction of those
60 miles of canal is now Standardization 1t is not
yet finished-at as much as $4,000 mile:
while it is not expect ed even should the enlarged
dimensions Of the canal below Harpers-Ferry be
preserved throughout its extension To Cumber-
land, that the entire eastern section, compre-
bending distance Of 1861 miles, will exceed
in cost S25,000a mile.
1t is already acertained that several miles to-
gether of the ork under contract will not cost
IS, eco per mile The first half mile completed
at Noland's ferry, averaging feet depth OF cut.
ting, had actually cost less than 9400 dollars;
and single half mile had since been finished for
less than $1,000; while the work in Georgetown
alone. not exceeding one mile in length, will cost
little less, including the expense of basin OF 6
acres of water, than $500, 600; and one mile at
the Great Falls of the Potomac. embracing SIX
locks, has cost near S100, 600.
Ed. Your second query is more difficult to an
swer than ycur first. Messrs. Fulton and La
trobe both eminent civil engineers. preferred
small to large canals. The most profitable ca
nails in England are very small. being designed
for boats of ten tons only. Of animal labor,
that of horses in our country is, and will, hope,
long continue, much cheaper than that OF men;
anu single horse is known to be capable OF
drawing so tons at the rate of q miles an hour,
on a canal of suitable breadth, such as the State
canals of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio
| could not therefore recommend to you boat of
dimensions less than would fit it for carrying so
tons, and furnishing sufficient draugh for one
horse. But on the size of the boat depends i'll
some degree the breadth of your canal; and on
that alone depends the breadth of your locks.
unless the latter be constructed to receive and
pass two boats at time
In the pamphlets which | will endeavor to col
lect for your use, you will see much learning on
this subject which could not introduce here with
out swelling this letter into treatise. Knowing
your country as lido, would recommend to you
canal never less than So feet wide, nor less than
feet deep; to be extended, wherever practicable,
,oithom much additional cost, to a breadth of 65
feet. or even more where the ground favors it, and
YOU have water enough; and having depth of 6
or feet, if to be easily obtained; and this for a
reason which had not occurred to me, till NY at
tention was torcibly attracted to the subject by
the able report Of the United States engineers on
the location. plan and probable cost of the Ches-
apeake and Ohio canal. The part of that report
to which l now refer, was extracted from it. and
made to constitute prominent topic of the FIRST
annual report of the president and directors to
the stockholders of the Chesapeake and Ohio ca
nal company.
If, to the principles explained in that report.
YOU would add a visit to the 20 miles of the Ches-
apeake and Ohio canal now in operation, you
would be able to determine on the expediency of
that enlargement of its dimensions, in which all
our stockholders have so far acquiesced, that 10
yoice has been raised AGAINST in any of our meet