The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-02-20

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the prosecution of their jobs there is
but little doubt that the section work
will all, or nearly all be completed
within one year from the present
time. A large proportion Of the me
chanical work will also be completed .
within year but not all. The worl, .
upon the main line which is not under
contract should be let at an early day,
so as to be completed at the same
time with the work now in progress.
Should the ensuing winter prove
favorable the steamboat channel and .
basin at La Sale will be completed
and ready for use before navigation
opens in the spring, and several 9TH
err JOBS will be nearly finished. The
portions of the canal which had been
completed prior to the general sus-
pension of operations, require in ma
ny places considerable repairs, but
it is believed that this work should
be deferred till short time before
the whole canal will be ready for
navigation. 1t can be done with
greater economy and the Engineer
will have more time to devote to the
superintendent of the work.
Immediately after the organiza-
ton of the Engineer department in
July last Il measurement was made
of all the materials which had been
!, prepared for the various structures
f under the former contracts. Upon
all these materials except stone it
was expected that much loss would
be sustained, and it is found upon
minute inspection of the stone that
, a much greater loss will be sustain
, ed upon this item also than was an
t ticipatcd before the minute inspec-
ton was made. What proportion of
the stone can be used for the pur-
pose originally intended has not yet
! been fully determined. a part must
be wholly rejected, a part will ans
wer for redressing more or less, and
a part will do without any further
preparation. The contractor is re-
; quired to use such Of the materials
! previously prepared as tie Engineer
may direct, and their value will be
$ deducted from the estimate made
from time to time as the work pro-
crosses. In few instances it will
, be found eXpedient to transfer ma
t terials prepared for one structure to
s another.
No masonry has been built during
n the present season except in dam
n number |, at Joliet, where a good
t commencement has been made in
= the abutmentS Of the Du Page feed
Q er dam, which are well advanced,
s and in Lock No. 10, at La Sale,
b where one course only has been laid,
n | am unable at this time to make
t any estimate of the aggregate cost
c OF completing the canal which would
A be a closer approximation to the
h truth than the estimates which have
heretofore made. 1t is already as
t certained that some jobs will cost
# more and some less, than former 'es-
S Inmates, but how this will affect the
aggregate result am at this time
r unable to determine. No time how.
It ever will be lost in making correct
!. estimates of the cost of the entire
c work, but we cannot at present dc
: this and devote proper attention tC
n construction without increasing the
: number of officers in the department
beyond what an economical policy
: would seem to dictate. Before an.
= other annual report shall be made
: the whole cost not only of the mair
= line of canal but the feeders may be
: given with much certainty; as al
the work will by that time be under
It contract and tie quantities ascer.
: tanned with precision.
c On the 18th of August a part,
c was organized for the purpose Q
: a survey Of the routs of the PROPOSED
G feeders and operations were tn,
# same day commenced upon the Ca
g lumut feeder. For this purpose Mr.
G a. J. Matthewson was appointed
d asst engineer, and Mr.. BENJAMIN
# with his rodmen and assistant rod
S men transferred from his subdivision
@ of the canal where but little worl
$ was then in progress. The ne
If cessary chainmen, aXemen, &c.
}. were employed to make up an eff
>. cicnt party and the whole placed
@ under the immediate direction Of Mr.
= Talcott the principle assistant en-
h ginecr.
The survey of the Calumet fecdc
was first completed, then the tw,
= routes upon the different levels. Fo
= the Fox river feeder survey Mr.. FL
!, der was withdrawn from his sub-di
4 Al