The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-09-01
LOCAL MATTERS.

HuRRA FOR THE SHIPLocKs The FiRsT
vKsssr THanuGH,--OSE HUNDRED t5uss FoR THE
TIDswATEn CoSEEcTtosti- IL atfurds infinite
plea sure to announce to our friends 10 Lynehhurg
and Norfolk, and to the State at large, that the
Shiplock s at length far completed that vessels
have passed through it into the Dock. This grand
result will be glorious news TO the friends Of the
James River and k1nawha Canal everywhere, and
10 all who feel any interest in the commercial pros
perjty OF Virginia. while 1t will efecfually stop
the mouths OF all croakers, and put end TO the
uucaled for complaints that have been constantly
made by persons at distance, who seemed net to
be aware OF the serious drawbacks that have been
produced by excessive heat and sickness among
the lsborers during the summer months.
Yesterday morning we received an invitation
from Mr.. G. l.. WALTON, principal engineer ON the
eastern division OF the James River and kanawha
Improvement to be present and see the first vessel
pass through the locks which we gladly accepted.
At 0 o'clock the eastern gates were thrown open,
and Immediately after ward The schooner &c l. Al
lem Capt LINCOLN RHoADfs, from Rockland, Me-,
loaded with lime and consigned to Capt LUTHER
LIBBY of this city, drawn into the pit and the
gates closed After this the wIckets to the western
gates were partially hoisted, under the direction of
Engineer Walton and his assistant, Mr.. c. K. BAR
ME- when the water poured into the pit, and the
schooner rose gradually until reaching the level of
the deck, when the western gates were thrown
open, and three loud and hearty cheers were given
by the assembled multitude, in honor of the COM
pletion OF this great Edewater Improvement, OF
Mr. Walton, the Engineer, and OF the sc L. Allen"
the first vessel to pass through the Shiplocks
Soon after the western gates were opened, the
members OF the Press and other gentlemen were
invited to Jump ION board and all take ride; and
this being done, tow-ne was cast ashore, two
horses attached to Il, and Mr.. JOHN CURRIE, the
Collector of the Dock, assuming the helm, the word
was given and the good schooner began to
''!Nalk the water like thing of life"
her broad penant and the flag of our country wa,
wing from her mssts as she sped through the Dock
to the foot of 17th street, where she was made fast
for the day.
No event in the history OF internal improvements
has been of greater importance TO VrgiGa tLan the
one Just recorded and for that hail it as
grand period for rejoicing among the friends OF
the water line" and of all who love this old COM
monwealth and desire her prosperity.
If we are not mistaken, the water was turned out
of the dock for the present improvement, IN the
| month of May, 1851. From that time to the pres
ent difficulties upon difficulties have been met ana
surn0uned, until the ship-locks have been compile
ted and now stand forth noble and enduring mon
ument of the enterprise of the State.
Before closing our hasty notice, we viii take The
opportunity of awarding TO Mr.. WALTON, the EBgi-
their continued efforts to push forward the work;
and to Mr. FRANCIS MAHoNEY, superintendent OF
the stone work, and Mr.. S. p. LAMBERT, the mana
ger of the wood work, for their arduous and I'M
firing labors, under all the trying scenes through
which they have passed, to hasten the completion
of this great Improvement Most nooly have they
discharged their duties, to the entire satisfaction 0f
all who have observed their industrious habits
They have won for themselves the exalted opinion
of all who know them, ard have made honorable
nemes of which they may well be proud.