Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-07-25
+ From The Norfolk irgas
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mnn,v. |, was written by an intelligent gen
! tleman after a visit 10 thu great work Of which
he treats. and will be found Of value as an article
/ for reference by our merchants aud capitalists:
FoR THE SOUTHERN Argus.
/ VIRGINIA-WHAT DOES HER FULL DE.
VELOPMENr REQUIRE
MEssRs EnlroRs:
This is a broad question. and to answer 1t cor
recily will require the collected wisdom aud
foresight of her whole people. propose simply
10 call attention to one subject, which. in the
general mania for railroads, seams To be over
looked, but which seems TO me paramount to all
others-I mean the extension of the Water Line
via the James river tho james river and Kama
wha Canal from its present terminus buchanan
1q6 miles west of Richmond to the mouth of
the Kanawha. which is about 100 miles above
Cincinnati, and 300 below Piitsburg. The Ohio
is navgahlo 10 the mouth ofthe Kanawha a, all
sea sons Of the year. for such boats or barges as
are suited to the Canal. The distance by this
line from Norfolk to the Ohio river will be 6l5
miles, and when completed will consist as fol
lows: OF the James river 10 Richmond l6O
miles; Of canal from Richmond to Lynchburg,
LAG miles of dams and slack water mos thy from
Lynchburg to Buchanan. so miles; of dams and
slack water from Buchanan Ia Covngton. about
90 miles which section is being built; of tunnels.
dams and slack water from Covington Ia the
mouth or the Green Briar river. 80 miles; and of
dams and slick water from the mouth of the
Green Briar down the Kanawha to the Ohio.
l56 miles. The improvements required on the
Kanawha river will be but light, and part of
the way, far above Charleston, is already naviga.
bic for steamboats,. On the greater portion of
the unfinished line no tow path will be required.
as stearnfugs can DO used much more advantage
ously. The Canal as far as completed, is a su
perior work capable Of carrying feet water.
and has upon it II lift locks in tho distance of
1875 miles. The locks will admit boats 81 feet
long and l44 beam. These boats can be con
strncted so as to possess n capacity so per cent
greatcr than the boats used on the Eric Canal.
Major Gwynn, late Chief Engineer. states the
capacity of this Water Line. when completed,
to be eqhal to the passage of 3000O0O tons an
nually allowing ten minutes for passing each
lock. This will exceed by 50 per cent, the ton
mage passing the Erie Canal in 1850.
The annual surplus of the Great Valley with
which this water line. when completed. puts
Norfolk and Richmond in immediate communi-
cation. is estimated to be from II 10 90 millions
tons, which has to find its woy to tide water,
through seine channel. and back freight equal
ling that tonnage to be returned. The pres
cnt grent channels are by the Mississippi river
and the Erie Canal. The heat and moisture Of
the Mississippi route by New Orleans, must
damage to greater or less extent the Western
products. ! he unhcalthnoss of New Orleans,
the river, the exposure of boamen to sickness
on tho lower Mississippi among the many
causes which will always operate against that
route. Tho are also difficulties in the Northern
Channel; that is closed by ice more than five
months in the year, and, of course. for that pc
Rod its immense equi pinents of steamers, sailing
vessels. canal boats. horses, mules, &c, &c,
are doing nothing; but the inanimate portions
roitng or ru,ting. while the animate are
suminr Nv that rpute there must bp
trunshpments and of course two sets of middle
men to be supported, aud three distinct sets of
vehicles. one set to gather up the produce and
deposit it at the great depots on the Lake., anoth
or set for the rough navigation of the Lakes, to
transport it to Buffalo, and the third to take it at
Buffalo and carry it to New York 1t is entire
ly impracticahe for canal boats barges to
navigate the Lakes.
How will it be with the Virginia Water Line!
1t will have the best climate in the world with
little 1t any ice to interrupt the navigation, is
much nearer to tide water, will avoid all tran
shipments and middle men; for the same steamer
and train of barges that leaves the wharves of
Norfolk can traverse the W ole West without
being exposed to rough water, and take on their
loads at Cincinnati, st. Louis Council Bluff
the falls of ST. Anthony, and deliver them at Nor
folk without any exposure to rough water, except
in crossing Hampton Roads. Gun there be any
doubt that this channel when opened. would be
employed To the full extent of its capacity! There
can be none and whit effect could such trade
have on Richmond and Norfolk! And when once
turned into the natural channel, ordained by
heaven and pointed out by Washington and his
associates. where is the power that can divert it!
Railroads will become its tributaries; but they
no moro divert 1t than the smallest stream
let can arrest the interest of the Mississpp.-It
1t will endure fit rival of that mighty river until
civilization shall cease in our land.
History informs us, that whatever Nirginians
have earnestly undertaken, they have successful
ly and gloriously accomplished. Their minds
are now turned with earnestness to the fall de-
velopment of our noble State. But while we
have SO much cause to rejoice at this waking up,
have we not cause to fear that the same Juror
for railroads which has caused both Old and New
England to sacrifice So much in building super
fuous railroads,s fast possessing our own minds!
The London Times recently stated that whatev-
should be the expense of the Russian war. 1t
would be far short of the immens" sums the Eng
fish people have sacrificed in building superfu
Gus railroads. With us, railroads have the charm
and interest Of novelty; while the water line has
long been known as the consumer of much and
the producer of little. But we should remember
that the quality attaches to almost everything
destined TO be truly great and lasting. while IN
its nascent State. Like everything it must be
carried to maturity and completion before we can
expect to gather its rich fruits.
As proof of the prevailing furorfor railroads
| would only refer to the action of our Legsla-
ture in undertaking to stop tho water line at
Covington, and connect il with the ONO by rail-
roads. About Sl2 200, 900 have already been ex'
pended in the water line, of which belonging dl-
rec,ly or indirectly to the State. This water
line. rs far as it goes. has capacity for carry
inn thnta