Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-01-07

own overthrow, by the successive disasters eni-
braoed in the following brief recital
On the 3lst of May last, one OF these lower
gates gave way from partial decay, ana was hot
repaired and replaced until the I'm OF June, IN
consequence of which the trade Vi Tue Doch "ds
suspended for fifteen days.
Again, on the 30lh OF June, one OF Inc quoln
posts OF The same gates was spin, SO IS 10
render il useless, and, as il was FIRMLY bolted 10
the side OF the lock from top 10 boilon, and CO
vered for II feet OF its length. by ordinary high
water, it was found 10 be indis7ensably necessary
To construct Golfer dam in order 10 axe u Out
and replace II hv new one. The opportunity
was embraced 10 take out and replace Inc opPo-
site quon post, which was discovered 70 be great
" drcayei. Ii was mol until the '>lsl OF August
that the gates were re-hdcg the trade having Deeh
suspended on this occasion for an entire term oi
two months.
Again on The 25th September, after the difficult
Gully OF working these locks, arising doubtless
from the causes already suggested, had augment
ed 10 such an extent as 10 rencer u necessary "
let in small head of water in orderto close them,
they burst through and were oyerthfown with re-
newed damage TO The quon posts, and with
such heavy injury 20 themselves, as TO require
The introduction Of lighter gates, framed and
adapted to the Wrapping of The lock-a temporary
pair being used in the mean time TO pass The
vessels ont otthe Dock. The new gales were hung
on The 30ih October and the trade recommended
after suspension Of one month and fve days.
The whole time lost b. these three accidents
ihCs amounts 10 three months and twenty Gays
and the effect of this interruption ofthe trade upon
the balance of receipts and disbursements Tor
The fiscal year probably exceeds Inc sum OF So
900.
Ii is proper here 10 remark, that during The sus-
pension produced by the disaster OF The both
June, and about The time that the water was drawn
off for the purpose of making Tie Golfer dam, a
rortion OF The northern wall Of the Dock, amount
ing in length 10 about $50 feet, yielded to the pres
sure of the emhankmenl and fell down, but that II
was rebuilt before the water was readmllied.-
This accident appears TO have originated from
spring near The spot the waters of which passing
through The earth, wet,el the filing Immediately
in the rear of that portion of The wall. II shewS
The value OF that par, Of the companys plan OF
improvement which proposed 10 lorliiy The wharf
ing by piles driven down al intervals OF eight feet
throughout lis whole extent, which was thrown
into The class OF deferred works from the apparent
Strength and solidity Of the walls when they were
frs, erected and al the same lime IL demonstrates
the prudence and propreiy OF proceeding 10 It's
execution, as soon as the state OF The funds Will
permit.
In consequence Of the interruption Of the trade
nearly four months OF the year, the revenue oil
The Dock for the fiscal year ending on The 3lst Of
O. tober last, amounted to only S7,295 y. The
disbursements during The same period, for asen-
cies and collections Of tolls, amounted 10 81 ISb
Is; and for repairs, 10 Si91i %, making together
the sum of Sc, go Al, which being deducted from
he amount of receipts, leaves nett balance oil
revenue of $685. 81.
Ii will I've recollected BY the stockholders, that
since October, 1913 no drafts have been made on
The general funds Of The company for the works
10 progress at the Dock, and that since that Pc
Rod all disbursements on this account have heen
met by direct drafts upon its revenue or by certi-
fica,es of debt charged upon il.
The certificates of debt receivable for tolls, IS
sued in payment for improvements on the Dock
which were afloat al the commencement OF The
last fiscal year, amounted 10 S2,469 q; TO which
there was added during the year 4 further issue
OF 1882 63, making an aggregate sum Of Sl6,'
22l 80; from which IS 1918 rs, taken in at The
Toll house in The same period of time being de
Quoted it will appear that there were outstanding
on The 3lst October last, a balance OF certificates
Of debt OF $4,000 H.
This statement however, does not comprehend
The unsettled final estimates of one Of the contrac-
tors, on all his contracts, nor that Of another on
his contract for the wallIng and embankment Of
The slips below 23ri street. the balance due on the
last mentioned estimate being payable in six and
twelve months from the first of November, 1871
In pressing forward The improvements upon
the Dock 10 their present very desirable Stale OF
advancement, il was not the intention OF the d.
rectorv 10 extend the anticipation OF the revenue
in the form oil certificates OF debt beyond The sum
of $4,000 The existing greater excess origi-
mates from The unforeseen disasters ol the year
the uniavorable operation OF which upon The ba-
a.. n.1 md *
has already been stated to amount 10 an equiva-
len! SUN.
With The exception Of 100 feet of riprapto be
placed upon The river bank above Mayos bridge
the completion Of the bordering street between
22nd and 26ih streets, and some small hnshinSs
al The landing places upon the wharves all The
works have been executed which were deemed
necessary and advisable for the accommodation
Of vessels adapted TO the present slate OF the trace
and navigation of the river,
The whole of The new works now, appear &c
stand firmly, and 10 answer well the purposes lol
which they were respectively intended; and The
outlet lock since lis late Improvement, has ope-
rated successfully, in consequence of which The
company is nov in The daily receipt OF steady
and handsome revenue. and is proceeding 10 re-
luce the amount Of its outstanding certificates
Of debt
The only material works which remain TO be
executed al the Dock are the piles 10 be driven
down in front Of the wharyes, The coping stones 10
be place. upon The top OF the walls, and the new
lock 10 be erected on new SITE and the extension
Of the Dock down 10 the point contemplated for its
location.
These works will be deferred, in order that the
mel, revenue Of the establishment may be APP
piled to the payment Of The company's bonds tor
lis purchase and of the remainder OF the liabili-
ties for its improvement. II is, however, much
10 be regretted, that there shond be necessity
for this posiponemcni; inasmuch IS these are all,
important additions 10 this valuable improvement
and indispensable 10 lis permanent and complete
success. The stockholders are already apprised
that until these additions are made, interruptions
al the outlet lock similar 10 those of The last sea
son. NAV he expected sometimes 10 occur; thai
the largest class OF vesse> entering the port must
continue 10 be excluded that there will still be
danger. in the time OF high foods in the river o.
oyeIfows through the Eastern extremity OF the
work and lha, the depth Of wafer in the Dock
coul not be raised 10 the contemplated maximum
of fifteen feet without which il would be imprac
,;cahle 10 give depth oi five feet over the crown
Of The auueduct al Shockoe creek, with view
10 the passage Of canal boats; and no advan
tarc would accrue to His establishment iron
the contemplated Improvements upon The river
below
Were these additions made, it is believed by
those best informed upon The subject, that the ac
cruing revenue would speedily rise 10 80 or $40,
900 per annum. Were the establishment thus
advanced TO state Of permanent completion, ant
united with the canal, | feel confident that j
would he found 10 verify the predictions made II
The seventh annual report, that il would, in al
probability furnish abundan! means, not only &c
deiray the expenses of annual repairs and super
intendence, and 10 meet the interest of sum sui
ticienl to pay for it, and improve and connect j
with the canal, but TO provide sinking lund OF y
per cent for The gradual extinction OF loan t
that amount"
Before this branch OF the report is closed, it i
proper to state, that the aggregate disbursements
by the company for The restoration and improve
ment Of HE Dock, amounted al the end OF the las
fiscal year TO the sum of Sl27,923 A.
e-FuA Grand Dirision Of The Canal extending
from Richmond 10 LyRch6uyg.
In the year 1874, the line Of the canal, with
view 10 lis management and maintenance, ha: