Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-11-27

GINA. Its charms too are heightened by
the stupendous structures which constant
" present themselves; whilst, on the other
hand. our admiration Of these exhibitions
Of the triumph of science and art. is en-
HANGED by their locality. The mind. at
one moment, is oppressed with the solemn
grandeur of the lofty mountains and cliffs,
which prcsen, themselves on all sides. The
Boat winds round preeipice and dis
closes meadows and cultivated fields, a
large Dam, or the massive masonry of a
Lock: The nature Of the Improvement
moreovergivcs new feature to the see
merry. Instead Of the narrow, rapid and
fretted stream which heretofore washed the
bases Of these hills and prccipices, there is
now wide expanse Of reAuent water,
milcupon mile. caused by lofty hanover
which dashes a cataract. The whole work
is Of far more imposing character than
that on the lower division Of the Canal.
owing to the greater use made Of reAuent
water. About one half Of the distance only
is independent Canal-the other half be-
ing slack water navigation. The towing
path, which is either bench cut outo of the
cliff, or substantial embankment, is raised
very high, and Protectedby rip replacing
from the top to the bottom Of the slope.
The head walls of the Guard Locks
and wing walls and abutments Of the Dams,
are all carried up above the level Of the
highe5t fresh ever known. They are gen.
orally Of rock dressed masonry. Every
structure ofimportance rests upon solid
rock foundation. AT the mouth of Cedar
Creek. (the stream which is spanned. a
mile or two up. by the Natural Bridge
an Aqueduct, of so feet span, on the sus-
pension principle. has been constructed
1t was the original intention, to throw ar
arch Of masonry across the stream. but
upon excavating tho pit, for one Of the
abu,ments, to the depth Of II feet below
the bed ofthe creek, without obtaining a
suitable foundation, the plan was changed
to wooden trunk. suspended from ter
wire cables The lockage, from Lynch
burg to North River, amounts to $50 feet
from North River to Buchanan. 107 feet,
total 2S7 feet. This is overcome by II
lifts, below North River, and above, ma
king &c in all, besides IL Guard Locks.
Below North River there are wooder
and 3 Stone Dams, and above 4, all o
wood. on account of the difficulty Of pro
curing stone, and the chcapness of timber
Judith Dam. built of stone, 4l9 feet long
raises the water 90 feet, and is SO feet high
Pedlar, Bald Eagle, and Big Island Dam:
are Of stone also, and raise water from 4
to l6 feet each-the shortest is $50 feet, the
longest 7s9fect.
The Locks below North River are o
various descriptions-cut stone. hammered
rubblc and composite, according to the ia
ciliiics afforded by the vicinity. with {
proper regard to durability. The Locks
above North River, are all Of cut stone
and of most admirable workmanship.-
The Dams, as we have already stated, are
Of wood They are as follows:
Quarry Falls Dam, Is f. high $50 long
Varney's Falls " Is 430
Indian Rock /" 10 {" COO /"
Wasp Rock v, 20 d" 500
AT India Rock, Wasp Rock. and tn,
Balcony Rock, high bluffs have been cu
down, III some places to the extent OF so tc
so feet. We are pretty confident, that OF
no other improvement in the United State.
have greater difficulties been successfully
encountered.
We could enlarge this description, from
notes taken, but we forbear-sulfice it to
say, that the whole work reflects the high
est credit upon the Chief Engineer, and
his assistants.