Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-06-14

all other conveyances for persons Or cOm,nodi-
ties, to pass under them. The locks are four feet
shorter than those recommended by the United
States Engineers; but they are at the same time
a foot wider aud foot deeper; and they arc all
constructed of cut stone masonry laid, n hydrau.
lie lime, without any use Of common lime, except
i'm the backing Of a few Of them, where in the
facing the English Roman cement was freely
used. Grabbing will be found not to have been
included in the estimate of the United States
Engineers. nor the Incidental expenses of exca-
waiting and embanking the locks, constructing
houses for ,lock-keepers, nor the necessary i'm
provements, developed on opening the canal by
the admission of water. These items 10 the ia
bic swell the cost of the actual canal 10000
dollars; on the other hand, the cost Of but one
permanent bridge and an allowance of 4400 dol
lars for that and the bridges above the market
house in Georgetown, are included in the cost OF
the part of this canal above that town. anu the
cost Of fencing estimated by the United States
Engineers of 81. 900 dollars, is comprehended IN
part, in the indemnltes awarded by juries, the
compensation voluntarily agreed on,or the prices
paid, for the land purchased Of the adjacent pro-
prietors in behalf of the company.
The United Sta,es' Engineers considered their
estimate moreover, as possibly covering the usual
tingencies-some of which are comprehended III
the cost of this part of the actual canal, add others
of which have been already noticed in this report.
As might have been expected from the enlarged
dimensions of the area and embank ments Of the
new canal, the quantities of work estimated and
done, essentially and greatly vary. The cubic
yards Of embankment estimated by the United
States Engineers for the canal below Harper's
Ferry, amounting to 748.5S0 yards; and if the
pudding be added, which does not seem from the
estimate its cost to have been designed to affect
the quantity of earth, to 1.O56,710 cubic yards;
while the actual and estimated embankment, in
Guiding the pudding, as the calculation here re-
quires, amounts to 1851, exclusive Of the
embankmen;s around the locks, which are scpa-
rately charged IN account.
The excavation and the walling are, in quaint
~. nearly the same, though differing in cost near
$3.50, 900. The wal!ing the actual canal exceeds
that of the estimated, less than 1900 cubic
yards, while the computed cost of the latter sur
passes the actual cost of the former near $780,
600. Ninety-six culverts arc provided for in the
estimate; eighty in the canal; but the disprO-
poi ton between the aqueducts, IN breadth, arises
from the different denominations given to them:
the aggregate cost Of both, on the two canals.
varying less than $4,000, notwithstanding the
much greater breadth of the larger canal, and the
peculiar difficulties attending the construction of
the aqueduct across the Monocacy, which sur
passes in the size of its arches. aud exceeds IN
length as does that at Seneca, the dimensions, for
which an estimate is given by the United States
Engineers.
The total difference presented by this table Of
the cost Of these two canals is, inject to the pre-
ceding explanations, S677, 1874, on an expendi-
ture actual and estimated, Of l,848,94l dollars:
and this, notwithstanding the great enlargement
of the area and emba nkments Of the cheaper Ca
nal.
These facts and comparisons are presented to
the Stockholders, and 10 the public, in no spirit
of triumph, over the very eminent, disinterested,
aud highly honorable Engineers, by whom the first
estimate of this work was made; it is well known,
and gratefully acknowledged, with no unfriendly
feeling towards its future progress. This pro.
gress, indeed, their very errors are calculated to
promote: for, having accustomed the public mind
to so large an estimate of this work, they have laid
the foundation Tits ultimate success. by the con.
tentment with its actual cost and plan, and it is
believed, with its construction also, which, what
ever dissatisfaction may elsewhere prevail, must
finally pervade its early aud steady patrons, as
well as the subscribers to its stock.
This comparison will at least disprove, and
SUCH one GIFTS purposes. the allegation, recently
repeated,af reiterated constructions, that the
actual cost of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal had
not fallen short of that estimate BY which the con
struction of is Eastern section of 1856 miles, en-
ding at Cumberland, was made to reach SO, W.
OBI O5, and It's total cost, to Pittsburg, S22, 49,,
427 50.
But lest advantage shall be supposed to have
been taken in the comparison just closed, either
OF the easier ground along the bottoms above Sen
eca and the Monocacy; or of the mere estimate
OF the work. not as yet, begun. between the Point
Of Rocks aud Harper's Ferry, the Board espe-
cay invite the public attention to the portion of
the canal which is not only completed, but has
now been in actual use for several months: and,
of this, to the 10th subdivision, which extends
from the head of the Great Falls. to tide-water,
at the old locks below the Little Falls.
The accompanying table, Distinguishing the
several subdivisions Of the canal from the 9TH,
beginning at Harper's Ferry, to the lth ending
at the market-house in Georgetown. gives to the
10th lengh of Il miles 1928 yards, in the esti-
mate BY the United States Engineers, and 10 |