Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-02-04

exceedingly fine compact grain and has very soft and
soapy feeling and is of greensh white color 1t is differ
composition from the seate soapstone, and of
much finer grain It can be applied to the same
which has been quarred Chatham county has been
ground at Suarts mills the Deep River to powder
fine -four and exported to New York. where it is used
for clarifying sugar 1t sells for Sl8 $40 tom but in Car
olina told that it believed to be used for the
adulteraton of paints soaps and for cosmetic Its
position is given by Prof Emmons from analysis of Jack
son, as follows:
Slick. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Alumina, ........................le76
Potash, ZOO
Water. Observation-Disclosures. $3.50
Trace of ron ................ 10000
972
Roofing states are found on Rocky river near the resi-
dence of Mr.. Johnson Specimens brought of some
size and suitable thickness. They of light slate col
or compact and appeared to split smooth and even.
had not time visit the quarry, but learned from rea
BILE authority that it welt situated the forks and
above water level, and could be easily obtained.
The Deep river country is the dividing line between the
auvia and primitive formation The change of vegetation
has well defined outline the long leafed pine lying the
SOUTH the oaks and other timber on the north Our examna
ton of the timber extended not only the Deep river
This examination proved concvey that there but
small quantity ofarge oak and other timber required for naval
purposes There considerable quantities of the middle
SIZE which well adapted to the construction of vessels and
machinery.
Der cut down, or fallen The few left standing, partial
ly decayed and useless.
AS the country is becoming settled and improve
ments progressing this timber will fast disappear.
On the south the virgin pine forest yet exists of which
For the localities examined annex hereto the report of
Mr. Pook Naval Constructor, whose attention particu
lary directed to this subject
In the examination this district the water power claim
ed much OF my attention 1t has been previously mentioned
water navigation. These dams five in NUMBER with
fall of 30 feet and the water set back the upper pool
Mills, which the only shall include in the Deep river
district
The last dam is at Evans bridge, where there is lock
and several mills for Rraiu &C. The dam below is
the Gulf, and has large flour mill we'll as cardng
chimes, owned by Mr. Laurence Haughton The third at
feet; there mill yet place.
fourth at Cleggs below the Rocky river; and the fifth
and lowest is at Jones Falls. Here they improving the
water power and several mills being repaired and
structed. This fall is two and half miles from the Cape
Fear river This slack water navigation uninterrupted
will also be the mills, during the entire year.
Besides this water the Deep river there very
sites the Haw Rocky and Cape Fear rivers and
NEST of the creeks leading into the Deep river there
mills for grinding the cereals and saving the timber great
convenience well OF advantage to the country.
We to the consideration of the accessibility of
this dtrict the ways aud of transporting
tcras the markets the world (See map) The first
which claimed my attention the slack water navigation
the Cape Fear and Deep rivers This effected through
the construction of nineteen dams locks from Jones
Falls the Cape Fear to above that at Evans Bridge the
pool of which latter reaches the Wombe Branch of the
The whole distance is niety-e miles and the height
two hundred and four feet. The locks
hundred and fifteen feet in length and eighteen feet in width
and boats carrying from hundred to hundred and
twenty TONS drawing water navigate and reach
upper part of the coal field passing close to the various
coal and iron properties The oucrop of the coal along this
line is not elevated than hundred feet and if
mined from below be taken above the level
that the convenences for the shipment of the production
OF this region will be very great when this work i finished
Had The dams and locks been properly and faithfully
struced the economical geology of the Deep river district
would have been long his developed and the great and
valuable interests i'll the production of coal and the
tacture OF received stimulus which would added
to the wealth OF the State and OF its inhabitants But this
work has been procrastnated The liberal appropriations
OF the State avishy squandered in the construction of
inefficient dams and insecure locks which found made
quate to bear their weight without the force of the
wat nSn hic
combined with the arguments relative to the existence of
coal basin, by scientific gentlemen of high character and
total apathy the part the Legislature making
further appropriations receiving subscriptions
Fortunately, by the weldirected efforts OF Mr.. McCane
in sinking the shaft at Egypt the truth of the existence
added much to the reputation of Prof Emmons the State
Geoogis who had manuly persisted in maintaining what
1t was great satisfaction perceive important
work had fallen into better hands, and to learn from Major
M0r that the slack water navigation would be in
IL to be regretted however, that the locks will be but
temporary and require renewing. is hoped that the Leg
satue OF the State will render assistance in erecting
permanent stone locks replace these ones
without loss of time. AS far my observation went
and from the report Of others who we'll acquainted with
these structures should suppose that they might last for
some time Some approximations entertained relative to
rock known by the of Hard Pan, but think with
out cause proper precautions taken to prevent the
OF the DAMS consequent the attrtion of
the rock by stones and gravel which finally through
IT. exposing the sands beneath to the action of the water
OYertODDle
rock which they built have no doubt they will take
every precaution and keep the dams in good repair
Below Fayetteville eight miles, the shoals of the
Cape lear river encountered When drought prevails
there not suciency of water these shoals
steamer drawing more than Is inches water Mr. Pook
ports that he detained there hours and
quence was thirty hours from Fayetteville to Wilmington
on small steamer.
These shoals, is thought, could be obtained by
around them deepened by sluce The river is navga
Bile for ten months in the year. and boats used on the river
on 1t is desirable that this work should be accomplished
great dement must result to the trade when the
railroad and slackwaer nav cation competedpartic
ulary during the of greatest actVas this river
below Fayetteville is the outlet for all the internal
trade towards Wilmington and the Atlantic Steamboats,
ply daily between Wilmington and Fayettelle "a distance
of 100 miles, in twelve hours) and those of small size
be employed TO tow the barges the navga
ton,
Besides their navigation the citizens of FAY.
eevle have undertaken to construct railroad direct to
the coalfeds with the intention of carrying it to the
junction with the central road High Point and have
its structure with great energy and
entire distance of fifty miles, fourth part of which is
completed and in confidently believed that they
will be able to finish the whole in year. Having done thus
much without any assistance, they hope to get aid
from the State, and of which their project deserving
There need be no apprehension as to its deracng from the
slack water navigation for there will be abundance traffic
for both. The will assist the other and both are
sentia for the conveyance of passengers and freight
every to anticipate the influx of large DO
puaton with abundant capital to mine and manufacture
the material in which all the transporta
ton will receive much encouragement will satisfy the
most sangune expectations that may be entertained by the
projectors The cheaper and certain the
OF the productions and manufactured articles the greater
will be the benefit to both protector and State.
Other improvements are prOjected Among them rail
miles. The route most favorable one and will make an
other connection with the Central road also with the Gas
ton Raleigh, and through it, with the Seaboard Roanoke
which will place the coaeds into direct communication
few hours, with Norfolk.
Besides the above, there will be eonnexon with the har
Dor of by the Godsborough AM
thence by Newbern b Morehead City, to that point Thu