The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-28
The Ship Canal At Saut Ste. Marie.
DESCRIPTION OF TIM WORK.

(From the Detroit Free Press, May "a
The steamer Illinois, Captain Wilson, belonging to No
Knights lahe Superior line LIFT this city on Saturday,
about p. N and arrived ct Mackiasc Sunday evea
Ing, where she tArrsd three hours moro, lsadins
and shipping passengers aud freight; thence proceeding
ON her trip, she reached the Saul early en- Monday
morning
vernon, Secretary Of State, Attorney General Auditor
General and Commissioner OF the State Land Oace-tho
whole 'fusoa aoministration" - accompanied BY r..
Chandler, Esq, eommissary, and r. Hcsmer, Esq, prin
cipal musician and poet laureate. The Canal Commits
sioners-Hsnry ard Alfred Williams and Chauncey
Tbs object Of their visit was to inspect tho can,l
which, by the conditions Of tbs contract was to have
been finished BY tho 10Th inst II an eveat OF ne
mont had granted 70 the State Of ad for
the purpose Of constructing ship canal around the
passed the necessary Law to Garry into effect the
OF the grant, and commissioners appointed by the
Governor to contract for the work Their powars
ample, but were attended with the gravest response
bities.
Various estimates OF the cost Of the ceutem platsd
work had been made BY engineers, both q the Federal
$3.50 goo; aBd the common opinion WAS thar the
could not exceed some $sOo,t0o Tho fund Of 75, 900
acres of land, therefore, considered, BY ALL lib .ra
and, BY many. prodgal compensation for tho work.
The plan and specifications Of the canal assigned
Of the wsr the Eng on the part Of
the State.
The plan proposed it becans the duty Of the Commits
scners contract for the workand here their
abilities greatest perhaps In tho outse) began The
competitors for the contract with
or less Influence to advance his their claim
prsfersncesome offering to finish the work for con
sideraby eas than the entire quantity OF LANDS granted
Others offering 70 contract Tor its completion at
earlier date Other considerations than the terms
offered were to be weighed by the Commissioners who
charged with the execution of great trust n .
rigid responsibility to the public for faithful couapls
ton OF the work. We have never doubted the wisdom
which gave direction to the contract aud tbs trium
plant accomplishment Of the work. in the face OF obst
cles which seemed ipsurmountabla, and which could
rot have been foreseen has co0clusvsly estab hed It.
At the instance of of the competitors for
tract euit In Chaucsry Instituted restr aiming
Commissioners from executing the contract with the
psIes to whom IL had been sssgns and such was the
calay thus occasionsd, thst until some time Ia the
month Of June, nothing was zone, or attempted to-
wares commencing the work.
Substantially. the condstoa. Of the eoa S,, .ers
1855 according to the plan and specifications Of Capt
csndsld; and that thseupon the contractors should
should be exempt from tn xAtion for Ave years.
The canal s $50 feet in length, Ga feet the
bottom and 1l5 feet the top The depth Of
~ OF course to the depth Of the river
where the water enters the canal About midway
sbove the ocks) there basin Of about 400
feet in length and 1856 In width ut the TOP formed
the purpoe OF dropping in vessel boat, In two
or more should bs passing through the canal at the
Throughout the whole line there has been more or less
rock excavation but for nearly quarter of mile from
ths upper end the excavation is through solid rock al
most to the very surface The embsnkments walled
with stone, very hard and Of brcksh color averaging
IS inches in length Inches in width and inches thict
presenting most permanent durable and beautiful
wall and the whole laid With the utmost hemstioal
precision But the most attractive and beautiful feature
10 the Canal is locks which declared BY
Barry to bo equal TO the most costly and perfect works
of masonry in England These two and arc combin-
They areof cut stone from top to bottom each $50
iset sns and 20 feet vidsfor%ng continuous line
% feet in height The gates supported by strong
bands q iron crossing them dasonay and these passing
end fastened tie top of the stanchons
ers on either sides Of the gates extended at angle
Of 40 degrees to the and there buried at the
depth Of 10 Is feet in solid rock and masonry which
they vsrousy keyed and fastened The gates them
selves ale models Of mechanical skin and art.
At the upper end Of tbecanal pier extends into the
river 200 feet long At the lower end aud wharf
is annexed 3o feet length These Of great strength
and tocity the timbers Of which all planed and
perfectly cinted possible They far superior TO
the finest wharf In Detroit.
The Governor and Canal Commissioners have witho at
qualification accepted the work and given their certif-
cate TO that effect The contractors ready 70 trans
fer the canal to the State simultaneously with tho deli
to them Of the deed from the State for the lands
The contractors and State officers all the spot
this city. and there Is good or sufficient why
the whole business should not be closed to-day by
deed Of the lands and q transfer of the canal