Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1849-10-20
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.

This Canal was completed for distance Of 1876
miles, and opened for use, ten years ago, at cost OF
about s10,OOO,00O; leaving distance Of 80 miles to
Cumberland incomplete, although the heaviest por-
ton of the work on that part OF the line was then
finished
The Canal through its whole length was close upon
the left bank of the Potomac, and after leaving the
District of Columbia ii is entirely within the state
of Maryland. Along its whole course, there is but
slender population, and far as it is finished,
with the exception Of the agricultural products OF
rich tract of country above Harpers Ferry, in the
hitherto unfinished state of the Canal, there has
been very little merchandise to be transported upon
it. lis object, beside, alfordng cheaper mean, Of
communication with the Western country, (Which
object has been and is likely to be, more ellctuay
accomplished by the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road
is to open the means Of transportation for the pro-
ducts Of the rich coal mines near Cumberland, and
this object be attained only by the completion Of
the Canal to that place.
The work which was suspended in 1899 for want
of the necessary funds to complete it, was not
stunned until lSl7, and the Canal in consequence
manned unproluctivc, with the exception OF
nue. merely sufficient to pay the expenses Of manage
mcnt and repairs. Fortunately the work
well constructed that the cost Of repairs has been
comparatively slight.
In 1917 funds We're raised for the completion of
the Canal to Cumberland and the work was resumed
along the whole Of the unfinished line, under
gagcment with contractors to complete it the present
| season. w e understand JhS engagement Is likely
to be fulfilled, that the water will be introduced into
these fifty miles of canal before the end Of the year,
and that the navigation is there rarely impeded
by ice than six weeks in winter, it will be in
readiness for the commencement Of transportation
| through the whole length, early in the spring.
On part OF the lire vet unfinished is the largest
and most expensive Tunnel in the United States
1t is BIS feet in length, and it pertorates spur OF
the mountain, entirely through rock, at a level lSS
! feet below the summit. In distance of about
through a ledge of rocks, it mites two portions Of
the river, which, measured by the channel are
six miles distant from each other. The perloration
of the Tunnel was completed in 1888, after a labor,
continued night and day of four years, and at cost
/ of -5lI,0O0. When the work was resumed, about
two years ago MANY thousand cubic yards OF rock
remained TO be removed from the Tunnel, and it
! to be lined through its whole length with
massive brick wall, surmounted by an arch of the
same thickness OF = feet span and "A feet in height.
There also, on the portion of the Canal yet
unfinished, four aqucducts supported by arches one
of 30, two of CO. and 20 feet span, constructed
OF hammered sand stone-22 locbs-27 culverts,
mostly of large dimensions number of waste wcirs,
bridges and other works, and a dam has also been
built across the Potomac at Cumberland, at cost
! including guard locks and abutments, of over
$4,000 The foundations of this dam are laid upon
| rock throughout, some feet below the bed Of the
river, and the main body Of it is composed of hard
! hammered sand stone, laid in hydraulic cement
| The dam is nearly, if not wholly completed and the
other works Of masonry not finished, we understand
are rapidly advancing, and the earth WORK Is nearly
Completed with the exception OF the dressing OF
varh2ns parts OF the bank
The hnlShed part OF the canal, extending % miles
above Harper's Ferry, and l3j from Georgetown,
although as we have stated, kept in repair BY
OF the limited income winch 1t has hitherto afforded
requires at certain points, some additional works,
tor maintaining throughout ITS proper depth OF water
SIX Iceland Tor protecting 1t, at one or two