, 1862-02-28


limited By impedi1nents in the channel Of the
Illinois river. This stream, at favorable stages
of water, fs nnylgnb1e for the largest class Of
river steamers, but In dEy, and at certain times
in most seasons 1t Is obatructed BY sand bars,
SO Is to render navigation difficult and ex-
81 from G00 to 500 fret, and a fall in 40 miles
OF only % feet It's banks are SO eleyated as
to alloW Of the improvement Of the river BY
locks and dams, to render 1t navfgab1e for yea-
sels drawing six feet Of water without over
flowing them. Its Improvement Is N essen
tial part Of the plan contemplated, % the ca
pacfty Of the canal for carrying freight is al
ready, f6r portions Of each year, greater than
that Of the river.
The dimensions to be given to the enlarge
mont proposed, and the plan to be adopted in
the Improvement Of the river, are the first
objects Of consideration. These should be
determined by the requirements OF its uses
by The relative cost Of each. But, in the first
place. it may be observed that nothing is to
be gsined by q greater depth Of water than
that Of the mississippi river from the mouth
Of the Illinois to St: Louis, which may be
stated at low stages as sfx feet. depth
sufficient to allow the passage Of gunhoats |
light, which, with their armament aud stores,
draw from nine to ten feet Iater. It will then |
be readily conceded that, 1st, the length and |
the passage OF boats OF large size, say 70 feet
wide and $50 fee. long. I'd. Although most OF |
tie Ioats USED would probably not have more |
than 20 feet beam, it would be necessary to |
make the canal sufficiently wide to allow the |
largest size to pass each other, or else to pro-
vide turpouts at short intervals. I'd. Il is
deemed Advisable to abandon the line of the
| present canal, and to substitute sk1ck-Water
| navigation, BY locks and dams on the rlyer
5a5ang 5apags e sae to 70 cbeaso Il q ON
L. Sale to near Joliet, q distance Of abont 90
miles, leaving but about &c miles Of artificial
channel. THIS will all be made in rock or
earth excavation, except d short distance from
liability to accident very slight, and greatly
| Diminishing the cost OF repairs.
In order to enable Congress to form an estl-
mate ofthe comparative cost Of this improve
ment, on either Of the plans which might be
adopted, we have prepared careful estimates
Of the expense Of eaeh.
Thesc estimates have been made from data
furnished by the Secretary OF the Canal Board,
work at the time OF its construction, and from
survey Of the Illinois river By John B. Pres
ton, Esq, at present engineer and general su-
perintendent Of the canal, which survey was
| made with respect to the present improvement.
The character Of these gentlemen, the aceu-
! racy and minutenes6 Of the Information pre-
pared hy them, render their estimates per
| fectly reliable, and We have the strongest as
I sur:1nces that work can be done for the prices
estimated, and if there is any variation, it will
|
While re refrain from expressing an opinion
| on the relative merits of those works as adapt
ed to supply the immediate military wants Of
the country and Of commerce, it Is evident
that the largest and deepest channel, fed from
the lake, from its greater certainty and supe-
rior capacity, is undoubtedly the one which
, should be ultimately had in view.
| The experience Of the Erie canal shows that
the enlargement Of capacity, while it lessons
| | the cost Of transportation, increases the
! l 1Cift n tf7a fn31
| by attracting large amount Of freight But
; ! in order to avoid all risk Of making the
} work tax upon the treasury in the present
condition Of the country, it may be advisable,
: with waterat the dryest times by steam pumps
c | which experience has shown to be sufficient
5 and Which. if Implicated, would be a safe re
: lance in case Of deficiency Of water from
: other sources.
e Estimate for ship and steamboat canal from
G Lake Michigan to the Illinois river, and thu
improvement Of the Illinois river to the Mis-
= siEeippi river; the canal to be 100 feet widt
4 on the bottom, sides protected With stons
c walls ten feet high the canal and river lock:
b depth Of water sufficient to pass steamboats,
b and vessels drawing feet water; the cana
+ to be supplied with water from Lake Mic1ll
# | gan.
l. Chicago to Lockport, 20 mites:
C | The estimated cost Of earth and rock
excavation on the summit level from
J. Chicago to Lockport, with walls On
u both sides 1Dfcct through the earth. is $7097 10
- The estimated cost Of canal to Lake Jo-
= liet. and short canals at 16 locks,
!; walled on both sides: also six stone
e dams, Geo feet long, eleven canal and
d five river locks, each $50 feet long
lie and 70 feet matchmaking 13B feet Of
o lochagee between Lockport and La
= Ia Sale to the Mississippi river;:so
IS milcs:
le The cost OF seven tree aud crib dams,
If 900 feet long, the cribs to be filed
:, with stono, and stone abntments; al
ii go seven stone locks. $50 feet long
and 10 feet wide, with entrances pro-
- tettcd, ard iusuring depth OF water
Il steamboats, and vessels drawing six
+ fset, viii be-. 1850
le | ing, contingencies. &c---....-...-.-. 515,0
s1s ass
70 Estimate for 4 slip and steamboat canal frol
=, Chicago to Lockport, 100 feet wide on bo
=, tom, with recesse5 on each mile 100 te,
= wide, and sufficient to pass the largest ella:
-. Of mississippi steamers.
- - Also, fora canal, 1G0 feet Tide from Lockpo
~ ~ to Lake Joliet, and the improvement Of II
~. Illinois river to the Mississippi river: Can
u ,s1 and ri7er locks to be $40 long and 10 fc
Il Il, pass boats drawing 6 feet. The canal to
80, supplied with water from Lake A1iehigga
Chicago to Lockport, % miles:
| Tie cost Of excavation OF earth aCd
ng rock on tic summit Level from Chica-
}r- 60 to lockport including rccesses
On and walls on each side 1u feet high,
I3e c Iockport to LasaIie, e. miles: -''-
Ter The got Of 1he % canal i t9 g. Lake ;a3 Joliet:
" stone dGnls, GEO feet long: II canal
I'D ard river locks, each SD feet long
nd | md 10 feet wide-in all 1853 feet OF
as lccEage between Lockport a11 La
Sale, Including cast Of walls Oh both
331y sides Of the CANALS estimated to
uis Issale 10 Mississippi river. ~ mics: S''
,ou 1 Tic estimated cost Of :! tree and csib
iu- dams, 800 feet long. cribs to be flied
let | with stone ard stone abutments al
cts | so, for stone locks. each $50 fcet
MD | 1oHg aud III feet wide. with entrances
eu properly protected, fnsu1lng depth
:.u ~, or water on Ill bars to pass the larg
sau est class steamboats, and vessels
1e drawing 6 lest, ,1s.---:.---.-- Is 1.465,
uld Add for bridges, right Of WY, engln-
IN cer1ng, &C.,. 5t5,
asd asd si1,soo.
Estimate for ship and steamboat canal rr.
the Lake Michigan to the Illinois river. 1Go +
and vide; also for the improvement Of thu
pois river to the Mississippi river. ]
lust canal aud river locks to he $50 feet long {
lere 70 feet wide, with depth Of water at
,on- lines to pass steamboats, and vessels II
rent the lake to the blississippi river, draw1n
Of feet. The canal to be supplied with We
ON from the Calumet, Des Plaines and Du P
nee, rivers; any deficiency to be supplied
incl pumping engines and wheels IRON Ii
=, if Michigan.
4 be Chicago to Lockport, ~ mics:
The Estimated coEt for excavation OF
,;oh ea1tE and rcc11 to enlarge the present
alsu canal to l6D feet wide on bottom; re-
'ncc moving spoil banks; tniding walls
nin- On both si,1cs for two summit locks
bind and enlarging the present hydraulic
itics works for supplying all DEFICIENCIES Of
and Walfc on the summit lese!; Is .----... s513'
=. | The estimated cost Of canal to Lake jol-
such IN hnt.1 s:ifes: Of 6 stunc dsa,s 40
and feet 1onG; II crib and 5 Ei7er lock-,
the each $50 feet long md 20 feet wide; in
9th all. 49, feet !ackase between Aocap9rt o,,
c at and LasaHe: - 4.uSi