Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-06-13

I'm that month, the canal from the intersection
af the old. by the new line, up TO the Seneca feed
er. was opened for use. The heaviest emoanE-
nents bad b-cn completed in very dry season,
and as on all new works of this description, the
navigation was several times suspended by LEAKS
and breaches, after the admission of the water,
till the hard frost of January DISTRACTED ITS use
altogether.
The Board availed themselves of this season.
To let out the water, and to finish the deep ana
difficult rock excavation Of the thirteenth and
thirty fourth sections, which had been lett lncom-
DIcte by the last contractors. Early IN March
the navigation of the river was renewed oy 'he
breaking up of the winter ice; but that OF me ca
nal, from Seneca. to the Little Falls, awaited me
completion Of those sections, till the &ts' Vi ''a'
month, since then, its use has continued WIN &c
cas,onal but transient interruptions causeu ny
Slight breaches, Improvements and necessary re-
pairs. The last have been required on TWO SEE
lions chiefly, and III consequence OF 100 hucn
loose stone having been permitted TO nc 'hlo""
and to lie together at the bottom oil inc Canal
prior TO its beng leveed with compact EARN:
Early in the late spring. the navigation 81 'he
canal was extended mile below the old locks, at
the Little Falls; and, more recently, mile lar
ther below the viaduct. few hundred yards a
hove. and within sight of Georgetown, whence
massage boat carving the United States mail
now daily plies, as high up, as SENEGAL in t"nnec-
ton with two lines of public Stages which pass
over to Leeshurg, in Virginia, crossing the Polo-
mac. at Edwards's Ferry.
The works between the present Termination oil
the navigation and the basin next the tide lock.
designed as a harbour for the canal boats, are III
such forwardness, as to ensure the extension oi
the navigation, during The present month, to the
market house in Georsetown; and 1t Is certainty
possible & therefore hoped, that by the approach
mr. i;h Of July, boat may pass through inc tue
lac in the mole erected across the mouth OF ROCK
Creek. BY the summit of the Granite Ridge, which
runs out at Seneca. into the level Oh the ieeuer,
entering the canal from tie river at The foot OF the
9Th lock, above tide water.
The masonry of this, and of the al jacert guard
lock- has been, for some time, finished; as rs very
nearly that of the next lock above 1t, and oi The
aoucduct of three arches across the mouth OF sen
eca, with which it is united.
OF he three locks, in the 25 miles nt canal a
boye Seneca, that, opposite to Edwards Ferry,
is nearly completed, and the two. between It aud
the Point of Roc Ks have their foundation laid, aud
So far built upon, as to ensure their compleuon IN
u few weeks.
The culverts on the same line of canal have long
beef placed under contract, several OF them are
finished; others are nearly so; and all have been
begun with facilities for their construction. which
Justify the confident expectation that they will be
done by the end of the present summer
The various sections vet unfinished, OF which
those works constitute a part, IN length about 90
miles, are all either completed, or 50 Lar adranc-
ed as to assure their completion. within ninety
days from the time, when the contractors shall Dc
required to deliver up their contracts.
The aoueduct of seven arches, OF fifty feet span
each, across the MOnocaCy. has been three times
let the contract for its construction having been
once abandoned, and once transferred by assign
ment. 1t is now in the hands OF an efficient con
ira tor. who, by The terms of his agreement. is
allowed. till November next, for its construction.
The red free stone, first chosen for this work,
having proved defective, it is required to be built
of white granite, for the transportation OF which
the contractor has found it necessary to construct
a railway, exceeding two miles IN length This
stone is quarried with facility. butt is SO hard as
to require great labor to cut il, and the contractor
has experienced delays from various accidents.
not the least tormdCeHe of which, was the bad
state Of the rYadtson the river tothe quarry, which
drove hiln, finally, to the construction OF the rail
way, and the frequent freshets Of both the Poto-
mac and the Monocacy, which have, since. often
arrested the progress OF his masonry. The foun
dat;ons of the piers are laid. end secured to the
rock on which they stand; the abutmcnts and Sc
yerai of the PIERS are ready for the centers, one
of which is up, and the arch now turning upon it.
A doubt, nota outstanding. exists that unless the
ensuing autumn shall prove more healthy than
the last. this work will not be ready for the adj
mission OF the water through it. before the end of
the next Spring. That 1t will be then finished is
confidently expected.
When done, the enquiry will arise, From
whence is the water for this part Of the cana! to
be had?
Various expedients have been suggested, and
considered bv the Board. without conclusive
Judgment having been formed on the subject.
Had the citizens of Frederick co-operaled with
this Company, branch canal of twenty-nine
miles in length. couduc ting the Monocacy through
their city, would have supplied this part of the
main stem with water. from level of about eight
miles, next the Potomac, serving both as feeder
aid canal
The Board hesitated 20 construct such work
tor the sole purpose ola feeder. since it might be
dispeused with after reaching Harpers Ferry; by |