Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-03-10
RrpoRr OF THE pREsIDcNv.

n
To The Stockholders Of the
James River & KenawhS Company.
In obedience 10 the duty imposed by the charter
and in pursuance of the order heretofore adopted
now submit to the Stockholders the usual state
ment OF the operations OF the year, and OF the con-
dition Of the Company ai the present time.
1.-THE OLD WORKS.
I. The Blue Ridge Csnai aud the Blue Ridge
Turnpike Read.
When in Novembsr, 1889, the reconstruction OF
the Blue Ridge Canal was put under contract, an
arrangement was made with the contractors, which
provided for the connuancc to the latest day prae-
tcible, of the Of the old canal In consequence
of this arrangement, the construction of the new
work, and the navigation Of the old canal, have,
throughout the present year, progressed side by
side coniormably TO the course pursued In the first
stages of reconstruction upon the lower or hrst level
at the eastern end OF the line. Although thus fet.
tered in their movements, a considerable amour, OF
work has been done by the contractors towards the
execution OF their contracts, which Will be more
appropri tey specified in another branch of the re.
port.
The passage OF boats through the Blue Ridge
canal, has, with the exception OF few days, been
uninterrupted during the past year. Early IN the
year, the upper guard gates IT the head oil the canal
we're broken and rendered almost useless by the
pressure of the high water in the river; yet the nav
igGion continued with but little delay. In the
latter part of the year, the lower lock gates, NJ the
lower end OF the canal, were much broken, as TO
impose the disagreeable necessity of renewing one
if Tot both of the gates, very near the period for
breaking up the Old locks. Whether this damage
TO the works the result OF design on the part OF
some mischievous person, or of negligence on the
part of the look-keeper, the experimenting agent
has not yet been able TO ascertain. La the course
OF the year, other small repairs were made up.
on several OF the lock gates each side OF the riy
err and on the whole, more than the usual amount
OF repairs was required in order 10 keep the canal
IN passabe condition
AT early period in the next year, the progress
made by the contractors in the execution OF their
contracts and the decayed condition of the old
locks will make IL necessary TO draw off the water
and 10 break up the old canal, in order 10 make
way for the construction Of the new and more en-
lirged work. Most Of the old locks in dilnp-
ijaied condition, and could not have been rendered
useful another year without an expenditure Of sew
cril thousand dollars. large portion of the stones
forming the face of the locks originally delec-
tive; the beds and joints were too small; and the
backing inferior in quality and workmanship. To
these causes may be attributed their present condl-
on.
Upon the closing Of the present canal, and uni;
the completion OF the new work through the noun
tain the trade of that part OF the line will he trans
fired to the more dangerous and difficult navisa
uon of the neighbourins river. 10 prevent infer
ference with the passage OF the river boats, and 10
lessen as far as practicable, the inconvenience of
the change to the public, timely authority was Civ
TO the experimenting engineer to have a rIver
lock constructed at the upper dam, and 10 cause,
during the low stages Of the water IN the past
son. the channels aud sluices in the river TO be
lsrgcd and imp Owed, the succ at the lower dan;
10 be put IN good condition, and both the dams 10
be travelled. IN execution OF these orders has
been fluff e., except IS to the river lock; which,
however, is IA a course OF construction, and will
soon DC completed.
Upon he Blue Ridge Turnpike, in consequence of
the frequent and heavy rains during the first halt
of the year, much labour was applied. This road
has been kept in good order throughout the whole
year. In the latter part OF November other duties
preventing me from making personal visit, 1t was
examined at my request 10y the principal assistant
engineer upon that part OF the llne, VINO found the
roadway smooth and well maintrined, the bitches
formed the foot Of the slopes well opened, and
the breadth of the road well preserved, except at
single place. where il haG been reduced within the
proper limit by the giving way OF high supporting
wall originally constructed of very Lad materials.
This defective point, which is on the mountain slope
the south side ofthe river and the lower darn
was noticed in former annua! report: but suff-
cIent road way being LEFT, II has heretofore been
deemed advisable 10 suffer the defect TO continue,
and direct the companys force TO other parts OF
The work. Next summer however, it Should be
Tecthed by riprap, the materials for which may he
obtained 1t trhng expente from the bluff on the
opposite aide vi the road With this exception but
liltle1abpur will bel ,quired the road next year.
The engineer states that the Blue Ridge turnpike is
justly termed one Of the best roads in the
state.
Besides the ordinary repairs on the seven miles
house dam, the repairs Of the nine miles OF turnpike
road have been conducted by the superintendent
with regular force of four hands for the frs: SIX
months, and only three hands for the remainder Of
the year.
.. The irsslsrn iapyoveme- Is.
Upon The KGnaUha TuTnpike-Ihe usual liberal
system OF repairs has been kept up during the pas;
season.
As in the preceding year. the road was divided
toto -four sections, consisting each of about fifty
miles; the first extending from C6pingfoH TO Little
Suel bridge - ffty-fOur miles; the second from Lit
tie Suel bridge to GRuley bridge-thitly eight
miles, the third from Gauey bridge to Coal noun.
tain-hity- four miles and the fourth from Coal
mountain to Big Sandy-f-rty-three miles, with the
branch TO d of eight miles fiom BarboETSvitte 10
GWyanGotte, annexed thereto, the whole of the four
sections making distance Of Two hundred and eight
miles.
Upon each Of these divisions, force Of about
seven hands, with suitable attendance ofdrat ami
mails was placed; and the work commenced upon
part early as the 10Th OF April, and by the 20 h
ofthe month, extended 10 the whole. The opera.
tons upon each section conducted as IN previ
Gus years, and consisted in first passing over the
road rapidly at the rate ofLwo or three miles a day.
repairing the worst places, and afterwards working
regularly, TILL the whole line completed Owing
TO the unusually fine condition in which the spring
found the road but lite time was cOnsumedin des-
patching the lighter operations, which prect ded the
commencement Of the regular work; and at this
early period, IL was hoped and expected by the
companys agent that The annual repairs would be
accomplished az less than the ordinary rate ofe1-
pense. But IN consequence OF the high waters and
heavy rains which prevailed the seasons advanced
and augmented the quantity OF work TO be per-
Termed, as well as the difficulty Of lis execution
this hatterng anticipation proved to be delusivs
The road continued in superior condition. until
the middle of May, when, great rains coming on il
became heavy and considerably cut Up in the parts
most liable 10 damage. On the 18th and 3Oth NAV
there occurred unparalleled food in New river
which caused much private and some public ini ury
The rise in New river proper is said TO have been
ten feet higher than was ever known before: and
without any simultaneous rise in either Grsenbrler
or Gauey rivers, sweied the Kanawha river BE-.
tween thirty and forty feet. About o half mile Of
the turnpike upon the margin Of the river between
Gauey bridge and the foot OF Gauley mountain.
WINS overlooked, and most OF IL swept away. The
bridge over Stains run, 90 miles above Charlesion
was carried away; and that over Upton's creek, 7
miles below ChaTisSiOH seriously injured rs
90 make il necessary 20 rebuild il immediately.
Numerous parts Of the road we're overlooked and
more or less Infused. The additional repairs thus
rendered necessary, were estimated by tbs agent
about $500
The months OF July and August were marked
by many Of the heaviest and niyst destructive rains
that we're ever witnessed IN the mountains. Some
portion Of The mountain road, and those which
were best IN the spring, were considerably damaged
ny weshng The parts newly repaifed suffered
10 common with those which had not boen repaired
but 70 less serious extent Upon a mountain
road, characterized by high grades and loag aseenls