Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-08-30
$26O,4O6.9I
OR.
S26O,4O6.9l

Thus after paving "expenses on the Canal the large
Of $28 9l9.34 the State, and all other expen-
ses, dividing upwards of twelve per the stockhol
ders-surey the parties thus interested, and the press
which they sustain, might well look with jealousy upon
any rival in another quarter But admitting that the u
s. the of the whole stock in The "Louisvile
and Portland Canal the Canal for the purpose Of navi
gation-owng the small size of the locks hundred
aud ninety eight feet by fifty, is incapable OF afordng
safe passage in any stage Of water to the larger class OF
steamboats, But comparatively few boats OF the vast
number which navigate the Ohio, pass repass it,
As the of the country increases, the size of
will increase in order adapt themselves to
existing wants of the community Instead of passenger
boats, they will be built in most instances especially for
freight. The Rail Road improvements throughout the
West will decrease annually the number Of passengers
Western Boats will be hereafter built mainly
with view freight. Large boats with great tonnage
and how this has increased may be by reference
the number of boats and the Of tonnage passing
through the Louisville and Portland Cunal in ls48 as
compared with 1910.
1910 1871 1871 Steam boats. Tons, s24,s4I
Increase 292 boats, Tons 1l6, $50.
The present louisville and Portland Canal will then,
in few years. unless greatly enlarged, be utterly incom
below the falls. The only remedy is to increase its
pacy. But in the meantime, what becomes OF the inn
mense and trade passing the falls during
the deay Is the whole trade of the Ohio River above
Louisville, and destined for ports below il to be blocked
sealed during this perod-ai least three
years.
In order to show the effect of the improvement, of the
Canal the Kentucky side during the progress OF its
Improvement, quote from Capt Grams report above
referred TO- page 81 "Under the favorable crcum-
stances Of 1t would take about two years 10 make
all the required improvements in the existing Canal (the
Louisville and PortIand) to the amount Of $355y2SS and
in the contingency which ought be counted Of unusual
high stage of water the time iooud be at least
three years. During all this time, would certainly be
very difficult although it might not be impossible, to
economically the improv emenf, without stopping
the navigation Of the Canal, and thus the contingency
might Of being under the necessity of nterrupng
the present train of business the river The number
of passages of boats ct all classes through the existing
Canal has been at the rate of 1880 per year. To inter
upi for period of two years. the regular trade carried
on by many boats would very seriously damage the
whole system OF commercial business in far il rela
ted the navigation not only Of the Ohio, but through
the whole Mississippi valley This evil would be
wholly obviaed by constructing new Canal on the In
diana side."
Such was the opinion of distinguished officer of the
Engineer corps; sent out by the Government OF The U.
s. expressly TO make survey Of the falls OF the OHIO,
with view the Improvement late 1874 and such
would be the opinion Of every unprejudiced mind.
The Indiana Canal Company for constructing Canal
around tho Falls of the Ohio the Indiana side, has
been organized under charter of the most liberal char
acler meeting OF the Directors took place at Jefer
sonvilIe the second Monday of June last The Di-
rectorr from Cincinnati Judge Burnett, MIR. Lawrence
and Mr.. James C. Hail. The latter gentlemen was elect
ed Presiden, of the company preliminary survey was
made last summer at low stage Of water, by gentle
man every way qualified in theory and long practice MS
engineer Tor such work Ihe estimates Tor me Work
complete with Locks Of 800 feet long by "a fee, wids
with four feet water at extreme Iop stages, and an
average width Of CaEa Of from 100 $50 feet calcu-
lated. The plans and pro6Iss, with the Engineers
explanations, were before tho Board. The whole
cost $65i 600 The Board approved Of the plan and
estimates but in consideration Of the vast and increasing
commerce of the Ohio deemed another and fuller survey
necessary, with view of enlargng the size Of the Locks
This survey ordered to be made the ensuing
by Mr.. Ball and competent assistant Engineer, TO be
scted by the President Of the Board The survey be
made the stage of the winter the Falls will
permit this summer The increase Of the size of the
Locks in length and breadth will Of add tbs
EXPENSE but 900 will the of enagng them
TO 400 by 70 Feet should it finally be determined by the