Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-14

Amounting %

Amounting to- 81, ,5o00O0.O0l
n. b. large portion Of the rock required for
masonry and for pavement of the escapmen designated
on the foregoing estimate may be obtained from the rock
excavation along the line of the canal
Hence IL appears that the aggregate cost Of construct
ing the canal and all pther works pertaining thereto will
exceed million and half of dollars which is beiev-
ed to be amply sufficient for the completion of the works
In conclusion, take occasion to offer few statements
believed TO be correct by way Of contrasting the merits
Of the Louisville and Portland canal with those of the
contemplated canal in which shall advert to few
only of the leading arguments that may be adduced in
favor Of the latter.
The Louisville and Portland canal is about 446 yards
nearly miles long 1t has three consecutive locks
at its lower end of about nine feet lift each lock- toge
ther with guard lok the aggregate length of the walls
being 924 feet The length Of each lock chamber is about
100 feet and its width 500 feet and will admit boats Only
l83 feet long and 49 feet wide portion of each lock
chamber being occupied by breast wall, serving
foundation for the frame work connected with the mi
ter sill.
The proposed canal is 2s2 yards little less
than ourths of mile long, and is to have two locks
side 10 side the maximum lift Of which is N hA about a.
feet together With guardlocK NJ the head ofeach Lift
lock- The length Of one Of the lock chambers is 800 feet
and that Of the other 270 feet the width of each being sc
feet that 800 feet long and 66 feet wide
pass through the chamber of the larger, and similar
craft go feet long and Of the width through the
smaller chamber there being breast walls in these
chambers TO prevent the passage Of boats of the entire
length Of the chambers The aggregate length of the
partition wall between the chambers and between the
guard-locks is 504 feet.
The height of the walls and banks of the Louisville and
Portland canal is less by and half TO twelve four
teen than the elevation of surface water Of the high
est known freshet. Consequently the entire canal is
subject inundaon during the continuance of very high
freshets; and the time its prism and lock cham
bers are liable TO be partially filed with earthly deposes,
drift &c. rendering the canal impossible till sufficient
time shall have elapsed for the removal Of these obsruc
tions.
The height Of the walls &C. Of the proposed canal
faat tha
face of the highest known freshet which will ensure
complete control Of the entire canal in all stages of the
water, and efectualy prevent the introduction oil silt
drift &C. into the prsr lock, chambers, &C. OF the canal
In the Louisville and Portland canal ascending boats
arp admitted 10 pass during all times of the day and night
when the canal is in working order, while descending
boats seldom allowed TO enter the canal except In the
day me ii be obviously proper that the canal should be
kept open for the accommodation Of ascending boats only
during the might.
In the proposed canal ascending and descending boats
may be allowed pass Unfortunately during all times
of the day and night.
The time consumed in the passage of boats through the
Louisville and Portland canal including delaysi in waiting
for an opportunity to tho canal and ell other de-
tentons is Mt least three and half hours average
of every boat
The time required for passing the proposed canal
including all detentons will not be likely to exceed half
an hour for each boat
The number Of boats passing annually through the
Louisville and Portland canal being 4S6 and the average
cost per day, all expenses ciuueu peng %VV LOT eacn
boat both Of which probably very near the truth the
annual loss 10 the community on account OF delays only
may be estimated at S43,332. The data being
sumed for computing the losses Of the community the
proposed new canal will result in aggregate annual
loss, on the score Of delays, Of $6,l90 only
From the last comparison instituted above IL results
that the annual saving to the public by substituting the
proposed new canal instead Of the present Louisville and
Portland canal account Of detentions only will amount
at least to S37,l42
have the honor TO be- sir your most obedient servant
s. III. LONG,
Superintendent W. r. Improvements.
Col j. J. ALERT, Chief Top Engineers
Washington, d. @.