The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1841-02-27

'"P0iiSh0su iioii tile suspension OF naV1ga-
ion. Agreeably to previous notice, the wa
ct was drawn off on the first of July, and
he repairs commenced.
BY the most indeiatigable exeriions, the
difficulties arising from scarcity Of hands,
he shortness of the period allotted for the
'ompletions of the work. and the appreheu-
'iens OF deficiency in the appropriation,
were overcome, and all the lift-locks from
Northumberland to Nanticoke dam, and the
acqueduct over Lodges run, were so far
completed as to permit! resumption of nav
lgatlon on the FIRST OF October. The ad-
miral manner in which this work has been
constructed, and the short space of time in
which it was accomplished, Notwithstanding
the many serious obstacles which were ell.
eountered ,entitle the officers who superin-
tended i!,and contractors who executed ii to
the highest praise.
These locks are built Upon the composite
plan OF stone lined with wood. I've of
them are completed, the remainder have not
received their coping, and like wise require
the finishing of some of the masonry of
thier wings. The guard lock at Nan,icoke
Dam is nearly completed. 1t has been To-
Gated on new site, and will render the en-
trance to the canal of easier access than it
has heretofore been in time of high water.
Three of the towing path sections along
the pool of the Nanticoke Dam have been
completed, the others are in progress.
Lodges run aqueduci, which was brought
into use on the first of October, at the same
time with the locks, is nearly finished. 1,
having been found impossible to complete
the aqueduct over Mill creel: in time for the
resumption of navigation in October, the
Engineer reports that a " temporary wood
EN- trunk was thrown across, to feed the ca.
nal from this point to the outlet nto the
Nanticoke pool. Itwas not intended to last
longer than the close of navigation this fall.
The next spring flood will probably carry
1t away; and unlesss there should be an ear
ly appropriation 10 complete the aqueduct,
there is every reason to believe there will
be no navigation between Wilkesbarre and
The head of the Nanticoke pool in the
spring"
These repairs have necessarily involved
heavy expenditure beyond the amour.
which it was found expedienl to allot to this
lne' from the appropriation of last year.-
t was the only course, however, which
'ould have been pursued consistently with
due regard to the public interests. Had
he repairs been longer delayed, the naviga.
ion must have been entirely suspended,
nd the rich mineral regions bordering on
nc valley of the North Branch, from its
Mouth tc the Lackawana, would thereby
ave been thrown upon the precarious navi-
alton Of the river for an outlet for .heir
aluable products. The day is not far dis
INT when the local trade Of this division
lust yield handsome revenue to tolls
he more successful experiments of max
lg Mon with anthracite coal, as fuel, have
wen new impetus to that business, and
e already find capitalists investing large
Inns on the lIorth Branch in the purchase
ceal and ore beds, and the erection of ,
rnaces, &c., which give fair promise that r
is district must eventually become one of b
e principal seats for the manufacture of 8
On in the state. Although the navigation C
as suspended for three months the past 4
ason, the tolls received for the fiscal year
ual those OF the last.
The estimate Of the sum required to pay o
amount due contracts and for ordinary n
pairs, and TO finish the work under con- a
'ct. is as follows: I
mount due contractors and for o
ordinary repairs. $79,sO9 IL d
} finish work under contract, 44,77I SO
Total, Sl24,5s 81 q
In addition TO this amount, the Engineer n
Inmates that there will be required, Z
renew the defectiye bridoes II