Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-08-06
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.

At an adjourned meeting osstae stockholders Of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Cotrany, held Wsdnes-
day. the 3d instant the Presdst o. the Company made
the following communication & relation 70 the recen;
suspension Of the navigation u the canal
AUGUST B. 1853.
GENTLEMEN: The condition Of dams Nos. and was
generally known that it was not considered necessary
to make reference to 1t the annual report Of the
President and Directors Btt the trade Of the canal
has been recently interrupted by that cause, the stock
holders may probably desire some Information on the
subject These DAMS bady constructed at first, and in
ured BY repeated foods have not been IN proper con
dticn for many years pas TO supply the levels below
them with sufficient depth Of water in very dry sea-
sons. Mr. Fisk, in his answers to Capt Swift and Mr.
Hale in 1876 informed these gentlemen that dams Nos
4, s. and required considerable repairs to secure suf
fcien supply Of water il ordinary seasons. lie inform
ed me also, after became connected with the COM
pany, that ii would require about $40 900 to repair, or
rather to reconstruct Dams Nos. and and that he
turning his attention to the subject when the food
Of 1852 made it necessary TO exert all his energies and
apply al the Of toe company to the great
object ~ restoring hs navigation Of the canal Under
Lie dreetioa this object accomplished and dam NO.
7, whifh hid been swept away, was not only repaired,
but improved IN such TO il from SINH
lar accidenis This improvement, however, not
pleted I'll late in September last which time the
pany hsA expended In repairs about S25 600 beyond the
amount borrowed for that purpose To pay this balance
and to meet the expenses Of the company re-
quired al It's revenues and il therefore impossible
to make he necessary improvements in da Nos. and
last IAN AMI thls was consllereI less important be
cause ii was the opinion Of Mr. Fisk that with occasion
al repairs they might be made to till the conpa-
ny had the Of placing them il proper condition
But as the opening spring trade prevented prospect Of
larger re7erues and the importance Of keeping the
canal in naygabe order in proportion to its increas
ing business the Board determined 10 take the
steps for thoroughly repairing both dams with little
delay az possible. 1t known that the actual repairs
could not be commenced while the water high in the
river which was the case till the last Of May; but it
considered necessary to provide the materials IN time
and the Board consulted the chief engineer on the sub
ect early March, and finally passed the following or
| der on the 9th 1f April
OesR I'll. tie General Superintendent be directed 70
have such repairs and improvements made AZ dams Nos and
as he may dc expedqnt for the security and efficiency
Of said dams and that be be authorized 70 make such
tracts therefor he may deem exredient and proper
This order vas intended to give him full authority 10
contract for lumber AMI other materials and for the
ploycnt n the necessary force, and 10 commence the
work and direct every thing according 70 his own judg
ment In o written report just made to the Board, be
states that be has taken all the proper steps in the dis
charge of tits Duty that the fall Of the river
discovered the defects in the dams be employed cons-
derable force in dposng gravel and slate in proper
places 10 stop the leaks and to prevent them il future
and that he now has large number Of sborers engaged
in the work which will be continued till the repairs
| completed WM. GRAS0N,
| President Of the Ches. and Ohio Canal Company.