Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-01-02
Er RT.
To rae SfsetAsiders Of fAs Jsmss Rissr aud Rsasehs
CsmpsRv.

where they composed Of liyh, sluvisl
c~pals nf positive proof the, the current and agitation
created BY the action and speed OF the bosi reached and
esered deseous influence the bottom of the canal
producing frs, small leaks, and afterwards formidable
breaks the weak points which the report has had
ference.
This opinion will spp,sr unreasonable. when it
rseoleced that the form Of ii these boats SUCH
that when moving the usual speed Of five miles hour
she carried throughout IN. whole OF the canal,
her bow OF about nine inches height, the
,r nlong her sides being thrown inclined plane of
equal elevation, and sweeping along the slopes OF the
bsnkmen,s with corresponding velocity. Nor will this
- opinion probably ecocc
ed that this boa, wasiuhcrmorc propelled by which
was not in the contemplation OF those who planned and
constructed the canal which finds its ulerup
the firm cmbanknens. bu, upon the itself and
upon with such force that the followed
s its wake by long line III dscooaton produced by the
disturbance Of the deposit the bottom OF the canal.
During the period OF this the subject OF the in.
sccrung the works OF the repeated
~ iy brought aicp,on by the supentenden,s Of the
canal and by myself to that OF the board OF directors
Insiucions accordingly the supcTincudcnts
require observance Of the regulations the
pany relative speed of boats the right OF passing
each other and the of the locks and
held with the propreiors OF the lines,
having for their object their cooperation and
directing the particular attention OF the OF the
steam packet to hcr aedged injurious action. with the
OF having her Objectionable points corrected If prac.
tcable, in the models which understood to be
contemplation for the line
yal The subject brought the particular attention OF
the board the meeting held Lynohbug the early
part Of August, which time, due consideration
the conflicting opinions OF the OF the company
and the OF the steamboat, the character and
of the alleged injury; but appearing that shortly
thereafter improved boat would be substituted fo the
then navigating the canal, It deemed most advisa
bio await the result of the experiment, and
cessay Tor the time being proceed with the investga
ton. This experiment took place about the first Of No
vcmbcr with boat constructed at the NORTH and DIFF
f.ring widely from the old point OF form and pro-
pelng power; but the result understood To have been
Unsatisfactory the parties Immediately interested and
this boat likewise after single trial trip To Lynchbug
back has been Withdrawn from the line but whether
permanently temporarily only, sm not able to state
In the preparation OF the boat, appears that the
Erickson propeller has been abandoned IN favour OF that OF
tue old paddle wheel, under modified fon' but whether
This substitution calculated render the action the
new boat moro or less preudicia the sides and bottom
OF the canal than that OF the old boat question which
remains % be decided.
In the Of the present year, the line of the canal
has been visited by destructive floods ih,
two preceding but, the it has sustained
no incon,derable Inconvenience from visitation OF an
opposite character The whole of bordering country,
aud especially the southern poron the
extraordinary drought consequence Of which the
river tell TO poin; OF depression lower than which
had reached any period memorable drought
lsO6. The result that the ordinary leakage the
four dams the the line OF the first diSi
sion, did leave Il supply sufficient feeding
the canal at the four principal feeders and the navigation
ncommoded early the latter part OF July,
suspended for about couple ol weeks IN the
OF August and September Ii appears irom the Plblc
prints that several northern lines OF canal from the
t' cause harassed with similar Inconvenience.
As far a. l am informed, the lower dams had
been gravelled during that they property
of the State and the opening the they
been suffered to remsn IN this the condition
which they received. THIS work. however, had
year been partially applied upon the dams at
I've rIver and Joshua tails No deficiency feeding
ter having existed Pror TO this and this operation
calling for uncomfortable of labour and
pense, especially where. Madens Ad, onure, the
cheapest mode OF procuring gravel by artificial means
it was deemed expedent the hazard OF pos
sbe interruption the trade, OF
deferred works, TO be taken in hand from
periods OF comparative leisure convenience. Those
only who will call TO mind the position Of the directory
the last four Strengthened has been
meet the company and relieved
' from considerable amount Vt work left unfinished the
time the canal went into operation, han oppressed by
and expected addition abours OF the
division, growing OF the reshes Of 1912 aud lsi3
Iorm Jus estimate OF the prudence and Dronr,eiv at
For large portion of the time that this embannss.
ment existed, was absent in the lnspec.
lion company's improvement; but, hay.
every to believe that with prompt and
well sustained energy by the superintendent Of repairs
Successfully, the difficulties occurred immediate ep,
taken tighten the dams and navigation
so that for osl space of fyo weeks, the
whole annua force Of the division, bosids occasional
'''ra force, exclusively occupied in this particular
Al BosLers dam the work was permanently done f.,
about half thirds of the whole amount. with
good gravel procured from deposit about mil. from, bc
dam. AT Maiden's Adventure, from the Of grave
in the vicinity necessarily had more tempo
rary materials Al Tye river and Joshuas fali. large
portion OF good materials used but mixed with those
OF inferior grade.
am happy to have my power state, that
the improved condition line that the business
OF completing the gayelling Of the dams he actively
resumed IN the spring. and form prominent Objec
cbuon for the aud future years
The remark due the directory Of company that
Until recent period it expected that any deficiency
ii feeding resulting leak &c Of sa.e
dams would be obviated different manner.
by the early execution Of plan OF addition and improve.
lnen, recommended by the late chief This plan
consisted Of u dam Of masonry, to be
placed below and in support OF each Of these old dsns.
wiii small intervening space between old
structures, hed with composed
of fragments OF and hydraulic But
early part OF the year, weiknes,
having been Disclosed points Boshef's dn
and the time indispensable the proposed
Improvement being represented Incompatible with the
safety Of the work, the plan Of supporting at
that place Tenqushod in If
ncneemcnt OF the Oi slOpng cnb work. TO be
p7nculary noEced Of advanced stage Of the
The plan OF stone DAM connection with that MAJ
dens Adventure has subsequently been also enqusheI,
OF least Tor the present. and probably, permanently the
end, favour Of a similar subsiiutlun The very low
stage OF the produced by the drought
afforded the best opportunity tht has existed long
course Of Tor q and examination vi
this dam. Ii was found when thus examined b. in Il
less decayed and unsafe cond than had been previous
~ apprehended, and the bed OF the also
pe unaNoursbe fT the preparation Of good foundation
ior the contemplated stone dam. The suJoc, was
tore, postponed for the time being
had been previously prepared for purpose conpa.
nys quarry was found useful other points and
OBJECTS upon the line Of tao canal.
hs perhaps perfectly needless for 10 invite the AZ.
teniOn OF the stockholders the uniayorabe influence
upon the general Of the canal. which must have
been produced by the train Of disasters already
% note particularly the probable injurious effect upon the
eousc aud direction d the southwestern trade which
have resulted from the interruptions occurred ~ the
latter part OF the To diminish nunbsr II
such Inerfhp the future, y causes
must be obvious all; but by can 1t be ielt with
more powerful force than by every member the board Of
directors.
In consequence Of very great diversion Of lalyuf n,i
from the been stated, the plan Of
raising the embaukment u the 10 protect IL
from future overflow from the floods iycr has fallen
tomewbai short OF the point oi Advancement nn.
tcpaicd Of the last meeting. Tho additional height
however. supposed be this o has ..
gven nt most Of the points indicated requiring the
last annual report An increased elevation varying IN
IL nd lDf fsr,tt