The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-08-17
1othe. Editors ofthe Pittsburgh Gazette.
YougiliOgheny Navigation Conn

As the time approaches (ihe 23d inst.
for opening books for receiving subscrip
tons to the stock of the Youghiogi.en,
| Navigation Company, it is desirable tha
| full information be laid before the public
calculated 10 show the importance Of tn,
work and the advantages that may be ex
pec,ed to follow from lis construction, /,
the whole district of country through
which il will pass and also to this city.
OF the various kinds of improvements
adopted in modern times 10 facilitate trade
and travel, turnpikes, canals railroads. anC
that by dams and locks the latter has in
most respects, greatly the advantage; in
deed its only competitor is the rail road
and this has the preference for the travel
Ter, only on account of speed.
The system of locks and dams affords
all the advantage of Steam Navigation
which even in point of speed does not fall
short Of that of rail roads. The cost
of original construction is far less than
that OF any other kind of pnbic improve
ment II is remarkable fact that the
system of dams and locks can be compile
ted for any number OF miles along river
for less than the expense Of making a
common turnpike the same number oil
miles.
The expense Of keeping up an i'm
provement Of this kind is mere fraction
compared with that of rail roads. In
deed large share of the income of rail
roads is expended annually in repairs, re-
laying rails, locomotives, cars, wages of
Engineers, Agents, &c. while the rents
from water power alone wiIlgo far to meet
this expense.
The improvement the Youghiogheny
river by dams and Hooks will open up a
district OF country equal TO any ether IN
Western Pennsylvania ins agricultural
riches, and not surpassed even by the Al
legheny region in coal, iron and lumber.
The lower part of the river particularly
abeunds in coal of the very best quality
and the upper in iron ore and lumber, as
we'll as excellent coal.
The opening up of new avenue by
which these staple articles can be brought
cheaply to our market will add much to
the wealth and prosperity of our city.
1t will also materially swell the business
and profits of the Monongahela Naviga-
ton Improvement to which il will be-
come at once an important feeder and on
their account it is entitled TO liberal aid
from the Stockholders of that Company.
West Newton which is now acom-
paratively Obscure village would soon be-
come an important town, and as the dis
lance by that place and Somerset from
Pittsburgh TO Cumberland is about thirty
miles shorter than by Brownsville, a d; i y
line of boats and stages would in all prob
ability soon divert large share of travel
TO that route.
McKeesport, with the advantages which
this improvement would afford for manu-
lactures in various departments, as iron,
glass, cotton, wool, &C., and connected,
as she is, almost as suburb with Pits
burgh, would in few years, find her
beautiful plain covered with factories and
comfortable dwelling houses, and all the
o;her evidences OF wealth and prosperity.
Ii the improvement of the Youghio-
gheny, by dams and locks, can be carried
up TO the foot OF Laurel Hill, the strong
est inducement will be held out to the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company to
rouse from their long and leihargic state
of inactivity, and make vigorous effort
to carry out the original and magnificent
design of that Company-the union of
the waters of the Atlantic, and those of
the Ohio river, at Pittsburgh, by canal
Of larger dimensions, and greater capacity
for business, than any other in the coun-
try.
II seems TO be generally forgotten, that
twenty years ago, and before the Penn
sylvanla canal was constructed, this was
The great national improvement project OF
The day-that surveys OF the whole line /
by Potomac, Wills Greek, Castleman,s
river, and the Youghogheny, were made
by engineers under the direction of the
United States Government-thata a canal
sixty feet wide, and six feet deep, with an
abundant supply Of water, was declared
entirely practIcabIe, at cost only about
Que half the sum that will be required 10
DIR. McLane's two per cent rall
road Of tunnels and viaducts from Cum
oerland to Wheeling-and that lhc States
,f Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania,
lnited in giving charter, under which
he company have, through many trials
md difficulties, completed! the work near
Y to Cumberland.
Is it not possible that the extension Of
steam navigation TO the base,,of the Laurel
Hill. on the very route designated, which
n all probability, will be completed be-
ore many years, Will lead TO the ultimate
of this truly great and nation
Il work!
Whether this suggestion be entitled TO
my weight or not. the local interests a
ong the line, and the business and trade |
yhieh n will Immediately create will