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

FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
of the President and Directors Of The Chesa.
peoke and Ohio Canal Company, to the Stock.
holders. June s. 1855.
The President and Directors tender to the
Stockholders Of the Chesapeake and Ohlc Canal
Company, their cordial congratulations on the
favorable aspect which their great enterprise has
assumed since the fourth annual report.
Subsequently to the general meeting in June,
1852. the various works which had been then be.
gum as well as those which were let at that time,
and in the ensuing month of August. have been
vigorously prosecuted; those above the head oil
Harper's Ferry Falls. at cost reduced much De
low the estimates which Immediately preceded
the contracts for their construction.
But for the prevalence OF the cholera along the
Northern shore Of the Potomac, during the las
autumn, the navigation of the Canal, from the
head Of Harper's Ferry, falls to its eastern terml
nation in,he mouth Of Tiber creek, distance o
sixty -four miles. would have opened early in tht
last month, as had been confidently expected.
All the works under contract were more Of
less retarded BY this epidemic, which spreac
alarm in every direction. Its mortality in th,
valley of the Potomac bore, indeed, no proper
ton to the terror which its approach inspired;
and soure of the most difficult sections, as well al
portions Of the masonry, were conducted by the
aid of precautionary remedies; the establishment
Of hospitals, and due attention to the sick; aDt
bv repeated efforts, which in part succeeded. t
obtain masons and stOnpcutters from the North.
Notwithstanding this formidable obstruction
combined as It was with confident predictions
and with frequent rumors of the failure OF the re
sources of the Company. the most costly part o.
the new line of canal above the Point of Rocks
in length ii miles, surpassed, in intrinsic diff
Guilty. by none which has been executed, excel
at the. Great Falls, along with the 26 miles whis
have SO long awaited supply of water. will b.
brought into profitable use by the expiration .
the present month. By the 9Th. its masonry, the
experimenting engineer states, will all be com
pleted. including stone aqueduct OF three arch
es, nine locks, many culverts, and much dry ma
sonry, both external and internal, comprehend
ing in the last q massy all-and embankment o
rock, so feet wide, and elevated 90 feet above
the button of the Canal, al the cost OF $40. 900
to serve as public highway along the base OF the
mountain at Harper's Ferry, where the old road
is occupied by the Canal.
BY the Isl of July, boat will be able to enter
the Canal from the mouth Of the Shenandoah. II
the midst Of the Harper's Ferry falls, and from
the bed Of the Potomac at the head Of those falls
which have hitherto constituted the most formlda
BILE obstruction above the mouth OF Seneca TO the
navigation oi the river.
The works above those fails, embracing S7l
miles Of Canal, and extending their effect over a
distance of 5s miles, along the valley Of the Pc.
tomac. including two costly dams across that RI
yer, have proceeded, under similar discourage
,nents, with like diligence.
The force employed on this part alone Of the
new line. has averaged, for the FIVE weeks prece-
ding the 18th of May, according TO the weekly
returns Of the engineers engaged in its consttuc
ton. 2.70O laborers, 655 horses, mules, and OK
EN-. and the powder employed in blasting rock,
1000 pounds week. The entire force on the
canal, FOR the same period, has been 400 labor
ers, 1,048 horses. mules, and oxen. assisted BY
an average weekly consumption of 10, 900 pounds
OF gunpowder.
The accompanying tables, which have been re-
peated at every quarter of the past year, add sub
jected to successive corrections, show the actual
and estimated cost or value, as well as quantity,
of every description of work which had been done,
or remained TO be done, on the hrst day OF the
last month, in order to complete the entire line
of l02 miles Of canal. and Is miles OF still water
next above the basin now Turning at
the mouth of Tiber creek, in Washington.
AT that period the total value OF the work
done subsequently to the lst OF May, 1882,
above the Point of Rocks, exclusive OF the cost
OF superintendent, land purchases and condem-
nations, Office, and other incidental expenses.
will be perceived to have amounted to 5000
dollars and e6l cents. From other documents it
will be seen that the work done in the same Pc
Rod, below that point, was estimated at l62. 1872
dollars Is cents. In this sum is included 5S, 1O7
dollars s. cents, expended within the city of
and 81, 22O dollars 70 cents on the
dams at the head of the Little Falls, and at the
entrance Of the canal at present in use. The
greater part of this last sum properly belongs to
the head Of repairs.
The total expenditure on the construction OF
all those works has been 9l5,2ll dollars 9S4 cts.
The work remaining to be done at the same
date, in order 10 complete the canal under con:
tract, will be seen from the same tables, to amount
10 value
For that in Washington, to S11,740 sss
For that between the Point Of
Rocks and the head of Har.
per's Ferry Falls, to 94,545 90
For that aboye thu 40 faiIa and no.