Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-05-25
bieh as thu. point which Is 9, miles above Rsys.ss

high as that point which Is 81 miles ABOVE ''se"s'
r. will be seen, therefore, that the great ssG 4
the repairs to b done d upon The locks q The CAPE
Fear river, and at the abuemsao o s'@s o ns SMi
and We come now 70 consider the plans and the
manner Of executing them, and their probable cost
OF me GENERAL PLAN OF IMPAIR
Nearly al III. locks on the Cape Fear river ought
propery to be taken down to the water line Of INC
iovcr level be rebuilt with heavy buttrcsses behind
the c.tes and side walls we'll filed with hard stone
vh;e the chambers should DO suitably 6nored and
lined within, the wickets overhaulcd, and The sases
re-hung and in some instances renewed Il
This would be . simple and appropriate mode o.
rcp,ir but the expense, ! apprchend, would exceed
the means at the command ofyoar Boar,i We shall
have to be content therefore, with less thorough ~
pairs
In a few instances II may be absolutely necessary
to take down and rebuild the entire sidewalks, but
generally, propose:
l. To secure the walls about the gates BY partial
rebuilding. and by buttrcsses Il
9. To pump out every lock, repair the hoors, and
refine the chambers a. far Is may he necessary
8. To repair the wickcts, overhaul and rc-hans
the gates secure them against floating oil their P,v
OTIS when submerged, and insert new quo'n posts
also, in some cases. .
i. To rebuild tho chamber walls in part, and to
brace or buttrcss them
s. To stop or check all heavy leaks.
g. To renew to some extent the stone filing. using
hard stone in sl cases Of new filling, where Psacti-
cable to obtain it
Z. To chink all vacant spaces between the timhers
on the exterior faces Of the cribs with hard stone
firmly wcdgcd in 10 support the range timbcss
throughout their length instead Of at the ties only
Our plans will necessarily have to vary much In
almost every case, and must be determined on the
spot progress but the above are leading points
to be kept in view.
The abutments Of some Of the dams on the Cape
Fear river particularly, will need securing. and
breach in the LEFT wall Of Fox Island dam, win have
| to be stopped.
It will be observed that DO not propose to re-
build any Of the dams nor to provide for the contin
sency Of any great and unexpected disaster to them
| in such an event We should have to rely upon the
aid Of the planters directly interested in the Of
these works, many Of whom. I am happy to say,
manifest the best possible disposition towards this
improvement.
With the locks repaired in the manner intimated,
these works, in my Judgment may be relied on as
furnishing a navigation for three four years alter
the present. time adequate to allow Of the con-
| struction Of substantial and permanent work, to
the building Of which, I may add. the maintenance
Of this cation is to some extent, necessity. ~
no other adequate means Of transporting materials
exist along these rivers.
OF TIE MANNER AND COST or porye the WORK.
To execute the work proposed, il will be ncccsSa-
~ to employ steamboat and hargcs, for pumping
water and transporting supplies and materials.
Upon these boats, properly fitted up for the pur.
pose there should he quartcrcd strong force Of ne
groes, with few white mechanics familiar with ca
nal work, all in the immediate employ Of yoof
Board, and directed by an Assistant Engineer. who
vii! reside upon the steamer; and commencing work
at Cross Creek, will proceed gradually up the river.
repairing lock after lock- upon which toll gahcrvrs
can be established Is fast as they are brought into
navigable crlcr.
Contracts should be made for all materials, and as
contracts may be entered into for quarry ing stone
and for the construction Of particular parts in order
to facilitate the completion Of the whole. And in
this manner We can bring into play, indirectly. y
portion Of the laborng force Of the country which
We would be ura5le to hire.
There will probably be considerable difficulty at
this period Of the in concentrating upon these
rivers adequate laboring force Of hircd negroes.
as well as in obtaining supply Of timber and lun'.
Der for the purchase Of which, as for the hiring
We come into the market rather late.
This difficulty Of securing sufficient force has a.
ways in their earlier history, lpcrccvc from ths
printed reports operated to the disadvantage Of these
works.
Should We succeed in overcoming these important
difficulties, shall be able to reopen the navigation
efectuay, in the course Of the present year; bu, Il
an adequate supply Of labor and materials cannot u
brought together At carly day. morc time vii! BE-
required for the completion Of our operations
To execute the bulk Of the wo,k within tn,
year, with the means controlled BY the Board
payments for all materials and for contract work
may have to be made in drafts at and 13 month,
time. without interest; in which ! do not suppos.
We will encounter any serious difficulty.
estimate the probable cost Of executing the re
pairs contemplated, as follows:
Labor and materials for the works, $1,000,
Repairing and fitting up STEAMBOAT, and four
barges, 100,
Running expenses Of steamboat and bargcs,
for year: about 1000
Tools, machinery, and contingencies, 500.
Total, $500
OF THE SURVEYS AND PLANS FOR PERMANENT wosk
In the second article Of your Excclency's instrus
tons Of April 3Oth, 1859, you direct me- alter exam
pairs Of the navigation, to proceed as follows:
10 make careful survey Of the Cape Fear an
Deep rivers from Fayetteville to the uppcrmost loo
and DAM and to lay before the Board such plans an
estimates as may bc necessary for rcconstructio
: OF these works in permanent and substantial mar
ner so as to afford good slackwater navigation upo
these rivers for steamboats, and bargcs and also
ascertain the depth Of water 1t will be practicab
: to obtain upon this work"
So soon as the repair question Is DISPOSED Of b
the Board, and the work Of ortercd) properly cor
4 menced, shall proceed to organize a corps Of Z,
gneers and execute this second article Of your Z,
cellency's Instructions
To accomplish this in thorough and satisiactos
manner, will occupy the remainder Of this year. On
u cost about $4,000; and can carry on both the =
. pairs and the survey, simultaneously.
> In advance Of this detailed survey, Il would
= premature to make any extended remarks upon Il
= subject Of permanent improvement, but il may
satisfactory to your Excellency to know tina, hayir
the latter part Of your instructions in view du,ir
a my recent examination Of these fine rivers. pa
some attention to the capacity Of these STREAMS