Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-07-03
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SALE Oh The MAIN LINE.
LETTER No. 4.

LEI En- NO. Z,
PRESENT CONDITION OF THE MAIN
LINE, AS GIVEN BY TIE STATE
ENGINEER IN HIS ANNUAL RE-
neutrality-suspicious. ASK
ED FOR 1857, AND PROBABLE
RESULT OF NEXT YEARS 0pE.
RATIONS.
BEFORE proceeding, as proposed in my
last, to an analysis of the operations of the
line for 1865, will make some additional
remarks, which have connection with the
results of 1856. After showing what was
accomplished in that year, it appears peeu-
liarly proper to direct attention to the pres
ent condition Of the Lane, The expenditures
10 be made tiis gear, and til: probable re-
suits of the gear 1857. Thus the public
will be able to see whether they can rea-
sonably anticipate an Improvement in the
near future.
Under an act of the last Legislature,
the Canal Board appointed State Engi-
neer, TO have general charge of the works.
Between the-25th of last September and
and the 9th of November, he made tour
of examination on the several divisions
in his report, he gives his opinion of the
condition of each. Only those belonging
/ IL. L 4
/! To the Columbia road, he states that he
/ has not devoted any especial attention, 10
consequence of pressing duties elsewhere.
He thinks the estimate of the Superintend-
eht for ordinary repair, reasonable one.
The Eastern Division Of the Canal, 10
miles in length, and extending from Colum-
bia 10 the west end of the Juniata Aque-
duct, has ''2 dams, aqueduets, % locks,
81 bridges, l6 cu!verts, ov6rfalls and 6
waste-weirs." On portion of the canal,
The bottom width has become reduced, By
The washing of materials from the banks,
to an average of l6 feet, it being seldom
over 20, and in some cases not over 10 feet
wide. 4 such points the water is not
over 81 feet in depth, which renders the
passing Of boats exceedingly difficult, and
occasions constant 'sjams." He does not
consider the division in good order, and
says that busiuessis done upon it to great
disadvantage. Its capacity is nearly one
fourth less than was originally designed.-
Hence the cost of transportation is in
creased by that amount. Large annual ap-
preparations have been made for clearing
out the bottom, bpt with poor success. -
| He recommends that two steam dreige
boats be constantly employed during navi-
cation season, in removing bars and the
bottom on :he berme side, that all the ma
terials exca9ated from the bottom during
the winter, be taken frota the tow path side
and deposited on the towing path with a
view to raise it; and that the towing path
shall also be raised by part of the repair
force in the summer. Two dredge boats
would cost $500; it viii cost $40 day
to work each of them total cost one season
of $50 days, $10,50O. The second year
the expense would be less. All the locks
require more or less repair. The Juniata
Aqueduct begins TO show ''visible marks ot
decay" two spans were proppcd last sum-
mer. 1t can be propped another season Or
two, but must be "shortly rebuilt" Esti-
mated cost of repairs, S40,0eG. The walls
| of the of the outlet lock at Dunean's IS
land are dilapidated, and should be thor
oughly repaired, that they may stand
another season. A large portion of the
guard embankment and towing path around
| Peters Mountain has been washed away by
| foods, and should be renewed; but the en-
| gineer has not had time to make an aeeu-
rate measurement and calculation of ex-
pense. All the locks should be doubled.
OF two modes of doing it, one would make
the cost of improving each $4,000, the
other sc, 900. If the locks be not dou-
bled at once, additional lock tenders should
De employed.
The Lower Juniata Division has some
imperfections; insufficient depth Of water
and width Of bottom, as the Eastern -
Locks 2 aud 4, are much ''collapsed," and
portions Of the wall must be taken down
and rebuilt. The wood work at most Of
the locks is much decayed, and much inja-
~ results to the masonry. Considerable
repairs are necessary, also, upon nearly
all the aqueducts ll2.D Estimated cost Of
repairs S35,40o; $1l,607 20 more than
those of lest year.
Upper Juniata.--Stcam dredge boat re-
commended to clean this out. Towing
| -u.t .lso storld he va;saJ I.ockc are