The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-04-14

what it was at that date, and the feeder is
mo where" A few gullcys and banks of
earth east and north OF E!kton show where
it was partially dug, the suspension" re-
ferred TO having continued. Now as then,
however, Cecil is ahead Of most Of the coun-
ties of the State in Public Improvements, as
very important canal, besides the one
spoken of, and two railroads pass through
her, besides another railroad laid out.
THE canal on the east side of the Susquc
hanna, extending south about nine miles;
from near the Pennsylvania line to tide water,
in that river, has been completed. 1t is
thirty feet wide, and three deep; with locks
eighty feet long, and twelve wide. 1t is taken
out of the Susquchanna, round the head of
Love Island, through a channel, partly natur-
al, about 200 yards in length and from forty
to fifty feet in width, joined to the canal by
stone dam, across the channel, at the foot
of the island. The canal with the entrance in
to the the river forms spacious bason easy
of access for boats, and a safe harbour in
time of floods at the foot of the island, in
the deep cutting Of the canal is regulating
lock, Is or l6 feet high, built of stone. From
this to Bald Friar ferry, about thrce-fourths
of mile, the canal and towpath bank, are
guarded from the river by strong wall.
From Bald Friar to the Conowingo is two
miles. The canal crosses that creek by q
dam, and gates, and on the south side is a
stop gate, and two locks, of eight feet each
built of stone From Conowingo to near
! Octoraro creek, is about two and half miles.
In this distance, there is a strong wall, near
| " half a mlc.in length, around Amos noun
tain. Here are three locks, of six feet, eight
inches each, built of stone, with good stone
creek is onc-cighth of a mile. Itcrosscs that
creek, by dam 5l2 feet in length, and
nearly twelve feet in height built Of timber.
The dam has small curvature. 1t is great
ly admired for the neatness and strength of
the workmanship. On the south side is a
stop gate, to defend the canal against the
floods in the creek.
From Octoraro to the tide water, in the
Susquchanna, is about two miles and three
quarters. In this distance are three locks,
each eight feet, three inches. From the low
ermost of these locks, that empties into tide
water, is a boat passage, about $50 yards in
length, through which boats pass and repass
at low water, into the lowcrmost lock.
The canal is abundanty supplied with
water, from Conowingo and Octoraro creeks,
atiording the finest mill seats.
At Conowingo there is fall of sixteen
feet, with six acres Of land; at Octoraro, a
fall Of twcnty-eight feet, and six acres. This
is more eligible situation for mill than
that Of Conowingo. At the tide about TWEEN
ty-fcct fall, and eight acres to build on. This
is, on many accounts, more preferable site
than either Octoraro or Conowngo. The
whole fall is tirty-six feet, clear of back
water.
Few places in the union are as susceptible
OF improvement, or possess more advantages,
to men Of capital and enterprise. Situated
near the head Of the Chesapeake Bay, with
abundant supply ofcountry produce, brought
| down the Susquehanna, whose waters drain
tract of country containing, at least, thirty
millions Of acres.
The canal was completed by company,
Incorporated in 1854, by the Legislature
Of Maryland. under the title of "The Pro =
prictors Of the Susquehanna Canal" 1t was
cut under the direction of Mr.. James Brind-
ley engineer"
1.-The canal by which it is proposed to con-
meet the Delaware and Chesapeak Bays,
commences near Elkton. The waters which
are to supply the canal arc taken out of Big
Elk river, about three miles above Elkton.
The fl der, through which the waters of sup
ply are conveyed to the canal, is within half
barges, with towing paths. The further
progress of the canal is suspended, in conse-
quence of the non-payment of several of the
subscribers to the undertaking. 1t has thus
far been carried on by a company incorporat-
ed by the legislatures ofPennsylvania, Mary
land, and Delaware"
D-In that part of the volume from which
we have been quoting, which treats Of the
History of Delaware, we find the following
reference to former citizen of Cecil, Of great
celebrity in the higher branches of mechan-
les, and ofconsidera BILE scientific attainment,
whose descendants still reside in the county:
below the breast of mill pond, called
Rumsey's situated about 100 yards east Of
the divisional line of Maryland. on stream
which empties into Bohemia river. The
water doses out of the bank, and waste-gate
and forms a number of stalactites of conf.
cal figure. They are called by some eye.
stones, being used, when reduced to fine
powder, to take off films from the human
eye, as well as the eyes of horses.
My respectable friend, Mr.. Ellis Chandlee
Of the Brick meeting house, in Cecil county
procured some of the stalactitcs, and tried
the following experiments. He first burnt
them in strong heat, and when cold, pour.
ed on them small quantity Of water. They
instantly began to heat and smoke, and
formed very white lime. The taste was
| hilton ur;Dn,,c aud couet;r Ho fnnL sorps