Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-05-25
high as that point which is 81 miles above Fayette-

1t will be seen, therefore, that the great bulk OF
the repairs to be DONE is upon the locks on the cape
Fear river and at the abutments some Of the dams
and we come now to consider the plans, and the
manner of executing them, and their probable COST.
OF THE GENERAL PLAN OF REPAIR.
Nearly all the locks on the Cape Fear river ought
properly to be taken down to the water line OF the
lower level, be rebuilt with heavy buttresses behind
the gates and side walls we'll filled with hard stone
while the chambers should be suitably fioored and
lined within, the wickets overhauled, and the gates
re-hung, and in some instances renewed.
This would be simple and appropriate mode OF
repair, but the expense, apprehend, would exceed
the means at the command ofyour Board We shall
have to be content therefore, with less thorough re-
pairs.
In few instances it may be absolutely necessary
to take down and rebuild the entire Sidewalks but
generally, propose:
l. To secure the walls about the gates oy partial
rebuilding, and by buttresses.
g. To pump out every lock- repair the floors, and
refine the chambers as far as may be necessary,
8. To repair the wickets, overhaul and re-hang
the gates secure them against floating OFT their plv-
OTIS when submerged, and insert new quoln posts,
Also in some cases.
4. 10 rebuild the chamber walls in part, and to
brace or buttress them.
5. To stop or check all heavy leaks.
g. To renew to some extent the stone filling, using
hard stone in sll cases of new filling, where practi-
cable to obtain it.
T. To chink all vacant spaces between the timbers,
on the exterior faces of the cribs with hard stone
firmly wedged in as TO support the range timbers
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, will 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-
gency 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 use of
these works, many Of whom, l 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 navigation for three or four years after
the present. time adequate to allow of the con-
struction of a substantial and permanent work, to
the building of which, l may add, the maintenance
of this navigation is, to some extent necessity. as
no other adequate means of transporting materials
exist along these rivers.
OF THE MANNER AND COST OF DOING THE WORK.
To execute the work proposed, it will be necessa-
ry TO employ steamboat, and barges, for pumping
water and transporting supplies and materials.
Upon these boats, properly fitted up for the pur-
pose there should be quartered strong force of ne
groes, with few white mechanics familiar with Ca
nal work, all in the immediate employ of your
Board, and directed by an Assistant Engineer, who
will reside upon the steamer; and commencing work
at Cross Creek will proceed gradually up the river,
repairing lock after lock- upon which tollgatherers
be established as fast as they are brought into
navigable order.
Contracts should be made for all materials and as
far as the wok required can be precisely specified,
contracts may be entered into for quarrying 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,
portion of the aboring force of the country, which
We would be unable to hire.
There will probably be considerable difficulty at
this period of the in concentrating upon these
rivers an adequate laborng force of hired negroes,
as we'll as in obtaining supply of timber and lum-
Der; for the purchase Of which, as for the hiring,
We come into the market rather late
This difficulty of securing sufficient force has al
ways in their earlier history as perceive from the
printed reports operated to the disadvantage Of these
| works.
Should We succeed in overcoming these important
difficulties we shall be able to reopen the navigation
efectuay, in the course of the present year; but if
adequate supply of labor and materials cannot he
brought together at early day, more time will be
required for the completion of our operations.
10 execute the bulk of the work within this
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 12 months
time, without interest in which l do not suppose
we will encounter any serious difficulty.
estimate the probable cost of executing the re-
pairs contemplated, as follows:
ESTIMATE.
Labor and materials for the works. $4,000
Repairing and fitting up steamboat, and four
. barges, 1000
Running expenses of steamboat and barges,
for year, about 10000
Tools, machinery, and contingencies 5000
Total, $4,000
OF THE SURVEYS AND PLANS FOR A PERMANENT WORK.
In the second article ofyour Excellency instruc.
lions Of April Both, 1859, you direct me, after
lining into and reporting upon the subject of the
pairs Of the navigation, to proceed as follows:
10 make careful survey of the Cape Fear and
Deep rivers from Fayetteville to the upperost lock
and DAM and to lay before the Board such plans and
estimates as may be necessary for reconstruction
OF these works in permanent and substantial man
ner, so as to afford good slackwater navigation upon
ascertain the depth of water it will be practicable
to obtain upon this work"
So soon as the repair question is disposed of by
the Board, and the work Gf ordered, properly com
menced, shall proceed to organize a corps of En-
gneers and execute this second article of your Elk
cellencys instructions.
10 accomplish this in thorough and satisfactory
manner, will occupy the remainder of this year. ant
cost about $4,000; and can carry on both the re
pairs and the survey, simultaneously
In advance of this detailed survey, it would b.
premature to make any extended remarks upon tn
subject of permanent Improvement but it may b.
satisfactory to your Excellency to know, that havn
the latter part Of your instructions in view durin
my recent examination Of these fine rivers, pa
some attention to the capacity of these streams 70
substantial and permanent works and am happ
to say that the natural obstacles existing are so sub
dued in their character as not ut all to equal in mae
nitude many of those which have been successful
vanqushed upon the rivers of more northern states