Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-05-02
KNOXVILLE AND KENTUCKY RAIL ROAD.
REPORT OF THE ENGINEER.


riEle and Kentucky Rail Road Company in
Tennessee.
SIR, l have the honor TO submit to you the
following report of an instrumental survey,
made during the last summer, of the country
between Knoxville and Danville, Kentucky; the
later named point being at that time deemed
the most advisable for the western terminus of
the contemplated road from East Tennessee to
the Ohio river The design was to connect
with Cincinnati by means of the Danvllle ard
Lexington and Lexington and Covington roads,
then in process of construction, and with Lou
;svile nv means of road charterG and propos-
ed thence. to Danville via Shelbyville and Har-
rodsburg.
The object OF the survey was to test the
practicabiIity of the route, and to OBTAIN DATA
mon which to base an estimate of the cost OF
construction of first class ran road rather
than to make even an approximate location,
81 ,vbon . limo was found that would effeet
the nassare Of difficult obstruction, Wltnln
raosp,obj limits of cost, it was CONSIDERED
the object had he Nv ~ddtH have develop
'io IA yIaiions undoubtSu9 od hove materially
"a GREAT improyers1n,o' g cost Tbara we're
fessened the be FIR rhe MASSAGE of the Cum
berand range of mountains, one by the Big
creek gaps, the other by Wheelers Tor a; des
ignated opon Lees map Of Kentucky, Waker's)
Cap The latter of these only, was Surveyed.
| The line follows the general course of tie sur
vey made several years since by the Charleston
and Cincinnati Rail Road Company as ar as
Williamsburg, Kentucky, at that point devia-
ton was made westerly towards Danville their
course leading them toward Lexington. The
general direction of the line is westerly of
north, the valley of East Tennessee aul the
ridges and streams that travese il, ard the
ranges of mountains that bound it on tn east
and west run easterly Of north, the line there
fore has to cross the principal sreass and
ridges and one mountain range. Starting from
Knoxville at the junction of the East rennes,
see and Georgia, the East Tennessee ard Vir-
GINA and Knoxville and Charleston rods, the
line bears up second creek to its sclrce in
Black Oak ridge, the dividing summit between
the waters of Holston and Cnch, distance of
about six miles with easy grades and lght work.
The passage of this ridge is effected by an
open cut so feet in depth, this cut isshort and
probably all earth; passing Bhck Oak,
Kinds valley is reached and crossed Without diff
Eculty.
beaver ridge is easily passed at water gap
made by Knob Fork tributary Of Beaver creek.
Crossing Beaver creek the base ef Copper
ridge is reached without difficulty "A serious
obstacle is encountered in the PASSAGE of Cop.
per ridge, in consequence of the extraordinary
depression OF Bull Run creek, on the westerly
side of the ridge; this creek as well as Beaver
creek is tributary to Clinch river, and runs into
the river above Beaver, and yet is ia feet low
er. The maximum grade of 80 feet per mile
can only be preserved in the passage Of Copper
ridge and Bull Run by tunnel 1000 feet in
length. and a viaduct and embarkment so feet
above the stream, and 1900 feet long. A wa.
ter gap in Bull ridge furnishes an easy access
to Raccoon valley. AMER passing Isrcrunr vol
ley the ascent of Chestnut ridge is encountered,
this ridge is high, but narrow on the top, and
can only be crossed at one point, and with heavy
work, it is probable that short tunnel will be
preferable to the heavy open cutting otherwise
required, and the estimates are made to cover
the cost of tunnel. The descent from Chest
nut ridge to Clinch river is very abrupt and the
grade so feet per mile, can only be preserved,
by developing the line upon the side of Wolf
valley and Pine ridge, increasing the distance
about one mile with heavy earth and rock cut
ting and filling. A water gap made by Big
Dismal creek furnishes passage through Pine
ridge to Clinch river.
The Clinch is 800 feet wide at Eagle bend,
two miles above Clinton, the point selected for
crossing, and bridge so feet in height, and
long and high embarkment across Cum
mings bottoms will DE required. The distance
by the line surveyed, from Knoxville to Clinch
river is l6 miles, and it is by far the heaviest
and most difficult part of the whole road. AT
ter crossing the line bears up the river miles,
with light work to Cane creek; up Cane creek to
Ross valley, crossing the valley obliquely, the
side of Waldens ridge is reached, near the gap
made DO Coal creek.
AS the name of the creek indicates the Bit
luminous coal region is now reached, in dis
lance of rs miles from Knoxville. The coal is
of superior quality; no veins have been opened
in the immediate vicinity of the line of great
er depth than 3 feet, but within a few miles
upon the mountains vein Is has been diScov-
cred; and the appearance of coal cropping out
at various points along the creek, and its branch
es, and also at all elevations upon the side OF
the mountain, even to its very summit is a fiat
tering indication that it can be found in mex
| haustible quantities, and in veins OF sufficient
depth to be worked to good advantage.
! Crossing Coal creek at a high elevation, the
| line continues upon the side of Walden's ridge
| till it meets favorable gap near the Boiing's.
Passing the ridge at this gap and bearing
around the mountains side it reaches the In
dian Grave gap of Cross mountain, encounter
| ing an open cut of so feet in depth and of con-
siderable length. Cross mountain is a spur ex-
tending from the main Cumberland mountain
! to Little Cumberland mountain; cutting across
and putting an end to Powelrs valley. This
valley extends from Cross mountain north
easterly through Campbell and Claiborne
counties in Tennessee and Lee county,
/ Va about IS miles lie in Tennessee. it varies
! in width from to miles, and is remarkable
for the fertility of its soil and the superior char
acter of the stock raised in it; it is probably
the wealthiest and most thrifty portion of East
! Tennessee.
The tributaries of CInch and Powelrs river
rising in Cumberland mountains, run across
/ the valley and force passage through the Lit
tie Cumberland mountains, and various noun
tain ridges on the South side of the valley; but
their crosses are so crooked, and the ridges sc
abrupt, that it is probable that the water gaps
would be available for the passage of rail road
/ Cove creek after forcing its way for II mile;
through the heart Of the mountains crosse:
Powelrs valley Immediately atthe base Of Cross
mountain. The line Of survey passing Pow
ellis valley high up on the side of Cross NOM