Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-17

And having viewed the pecuiiarlties OF each line,
thus located between the points above mention
ed, and considered the calculations thereon, we
have come to the following conclusions:
That the western line. although about 400 feet
the shortest, presents much the greatest quah'i-
ty of deep cutting which cannot be advantageous
y used in embankments; and rs ine cu'ehs Is
much deeper, greater proportional haIarG anu
expense may be expected IRON mee'bi5 WIN e',-
seen rocks, quicksands. and ciay-sips, to winch
such deep cuttings are "r less liable. Ana
the western route also presents 4 greater iucon-
venience and additional expense of conducting
the Four Mile run and Washington turnpike
road under the Canal, aud the Columbian turp-
pike road orer it.
On the eastern route, all these difficulties ap-
pear to be much reduced. and can be more eco
nomicaily surmounted. Or this, there is but
small quantity of deep cutting which cannot be
0eneficIaliy used in forming the adjacent embanS-
ments: and the canal being located along and
near the margin of slope, can be more convent
emily drained in wet weather; and the " asiing-
ton and Columbia turnpikes, near their present
junction, are to pass through road arches (the
ground being very conveniently situated Tor that
purpose) under the canal: and the large calvert
| for the Four Mile run can be more conveniently
and economically constructed THAI on the west
ern line. These are the principal reasons. among
others of some Importance. which induce US 10
prefer the eastern line through0 as being the
cheapest and much the handsOmest line OF canal.
From the point or cOnversenCy on the tenth
section, aforementioned, the line of the canal
will be continued, by beautiful combination Of
curves of large rad, and Of straight lines, TO the
| termination of the present examination, near the
intersection of OronocO and Pitt streets, in the
| city of Alexandria.
The length of this line of Canal, from the main
canal in Georgetown, Including the adqueduct
| across the Potomac.) is = miles, to its proposed
termination at the Alexandria wharves; and as 1t
is nearly two miles shorter than that located and
reported by Judge Gcddes, it NAV be satisfacto-
ry to state wherein the difference is made. The
line by Judge Geddes for economical purposes)
crossed the Washington and Alexandria turn
pike road twice before he arrived at the Four
Mile run: the line was continued up the north
side of the Four Mile run to near the head OF that
sheet of water and then crossing over to the south
side, and returning nearly parallel to the north
side, and again crossing the SAID turnpike road,
fell into the present route. A line 50 extremely
mcanderlng and unsishty is shortened nearly
twenty five per cent, BY the location herein re-
commended, which may be better compared BY
viewing the maps herewith presented.
|
apeake and Ohio Canal will complete the Com
mercial tloroughfare between the cities of Alex
andria, Georgetown, and Washington: thus form
ing these cities, as it were, into one great CON-
merciaI depot. 1t is Therefore highly important
that the same depth and section of water should
be preserved as in the main canal, which will Sc
sure TO the city of Alexandria equal advantages
of navigation, and of the surplus water, with the
two other cities of the District.
That the supply of water for these canals will
be amply sufficient for an extensive commerce,
and will afford also an abundant surplus for other
purposes, cannot be doubted, when it is consider
ed that the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, as locat-
ed, and nearly completed, has the full command
of the waters of the Potomac at less than three
dams, now constructing across the river between
Seneca and Georgetown, distance not exceed
! ing twenty-five miles. and when said dams are
completed. and the banks of the canal become sat
urated, and all the works connected thereto are
in complete order, it is believed that small pors
ton of the river taken IN at Seneca dam, and at
the High Falls dam, will be found amply suni-
Gent for all the commerce of the Canal together
with the expense of absorption and evaporation,
quite to Georgetown and Alexandria, as both CT
ties are on the same level. and will require no
lockage water between them.
Admitting this view to be correct, it is reason
able to state that quantity of surplus water
equal to the whole quantity that can be drawn
from the Potomac dam at the head Of the Little
Falls, through the canal, to Georgetown and to
Alexandra, being on the same level, may, with
in short time, be calculated upon as a power
applicable to mechanical purposes; and as the sur
face of the canal is thirty-fve feet above COM
mon high tide, and within few feet Of the high
est parts of the city of Alexandria, portion of
this surplus water may be conveniently conveyed
from the canal to reservoirs, and thence to by
drants, for the great accommodation and safety of
all parts of the city. especially in cases of fires.
Other portions Of this surplus water would af-
ford power which, under a fall of IS feet" might
be applied advantageously to various manufac-
turing purposes. and would, no doubt. be improv-
ed BY enterprise and capital, and render Jim port
ant benefits, not only to the city of Alexandria,
but to an extensive section of adjacent country.
The dimensions of the Alexandria canal are as
follows, viz: The aqueduct over the Potomac is
to be constructed with stone abutments and piers:
the superstructure of timber and iron; the water
way, or passage for boats, TO be Is feet wide at
bottom Is feet at ton, and ) feet deem. The |