Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-05-01

stoned great injury the manufacturing interests Of
that city, and consequent loss of revenue to the
canal. CaPaciOus feeders from the Black river and
other sources are to be constructed, which will in
sure q constant and steady supply Of water on the
middle division of the canal where the legation,
for want Of such supply, has been frequently smbar
raised. Upon the channel thus enlarged, boats NAV
be employed of at least three times the burthen Of
those now navigating the canal; SO that in lieu Of
cargo of so TOMS they will carry from 100 to $50
tons. Indeed it is believed that their burthen NAV
be increased even beyond that amount The coal
barges now navigating the Delaware and Raritan ca
nal the channel OF which is feet deep and 75 feet
wide, carry from lSo to zoS tons and are Of sufii.
cicnt size and strength to be towei with safety
across the open bay between New Brunswick and
New York. TIL enlargement of the Erie canal must
therefore operate to concentrate its tonnage in
third only Of the number Of boats which are now
required; and necessary consequence, the total
distance travelled by boats will be reduced two.
thirds. The amount OF saving which will ensxe
from this cause will be appreciated by referring to
the CONNIE rcial statistics Of the canal Upwards of
300 boats are now registered in the Comptroers
office; of which at least $500 are in active move
ment during portions of the year; en-.
ployins force of nearly 10000 men, with proper
tionate number OF horses. The distance travelled
by the boats in the year 1885, shown by the tables
was 4, 1853 $50 miles The concentration Of the ton
mage in ons-hrd OF the present number of beats will
therefore an amount of movement equivalent to
the traction annually Of a single boat, 3 lS5, 900
miles, and will effect annual reduction in human
labor equivalent to that of at least 5000 men, and
this large gain which is calculated upon the present
amount of our internal trade, will be continually
progressive; keeping pace with the future expaR-
sion of that trade. The large Numbers of boats
which in busy seasons now crowd the canal produce
Uexatous and injurious delays, which are sensibly
felt by all who are engaged in its trade or naviga
ton. In every voyage between Albany and Buffalo,
through the which congregate upon the east
ern division between Utica and the Hudson liver;
while in Of accident to the canal itself, the
pid and almost instant accumulation of boats which
t,ka antIv aral vtau
ders the channel impossible for long time after the
original cause of interruption is removed.
On the Ilth day of May, 1885, the Legislature, in
view of these defects and embarrassments, and Of
the increasing commerce of the State, passed law
directing the Canal commissioners to enlarge the
dimensions of the canal TO such size should be de-
termined by the Canal Board The dimensions were
accordingly fixed, after the passage of the law,
at six feet deep and sixty feet wide; but after fur
Their and fuller examination, the Board reviewed its
decision, and fixed the dimensions upon the present
plan Of seven feet deep, and seventy feet wide.
The plan thus prescribed by the board has already
been executed to a considerable extent. Contracts
have been made for portions of the work estimated
at 454 903 under which payn have bee made
up to the LIST Of April 1910, the amount Of 60O
067 81 The total cost of the work estimated by
the late Canal Commissioners in their report to the
Assembly, on the 3Oth March, 1899 [Assembly Docu.
ments of 1889, No. 339, at S23, 400. 1858 o. The
Board that approximations have been enter
tanned that this estimate may prove inadequate.
While ii must be admitted that large allowances
snouiu De maue iOr In an enterprise
extensive, arising from circumstances which cannot
be fully foreseen provided for vet the evidence
thus far growing out Of the actual construction of
the work, and that too in its most difficult divisions,
induces the Board TO believe that the result will not
vary materially from the estimate above stated.
Assuming this estimate then, as basis, the follow
ing particulars in respect to the work. will furnish
view of its different parts
The ordinary channel of the canal called the "sec-
ticn work." will cost Sll,270,77l 81
The damages for land and buildings
taken, sO4,s4i 60
The me chanical strue-
lures, so called, con-
sists of
Locks, which are esti-
: mated at S4,9sl $50 80
Aqueducts, do. do. 2022, 700 7S
Bridges, do. do. ], 266, 653 90
Culverts, do. do. S4l,277 80
Feeders, Including that
from the black river,)
bulk heads, guard gates,
waste W. irs and weigh
a->l.