The Nevada journal., 1863-01-14

rrevenscd its complciion to the summit of
thdrfdge. A thotoHgh recon- Q sance of Tie
country in that Vicinity satisfied me that n
I saving of 4. mile or mile and a half would
tbe Effected by that line, which would tcrmi-
mate on the summit OF the ridge about two
miles west of White Cloud GAP. | am not
| prepared, however, 10 recommend its adep-
ton, on account Of he heavy, hard rock
emitting required in tuning Gold Hill point
3p--lTs EXENrrIs FROM pEeA ssews FOR
NEARLY Ils ENTIRE LFNprn
mat tins should be so is obvious from the
! location Of the line. Between Nevada and
ashington, on this line, during the scyorest
winters within The memory of the Oldest in
hobitant the snow has never fallen Of suii-
cient depth to be a serious impedimont 10
travel. Beyond Washington. for nine miles,
the line Guns on slope having southern
exposure, whore the snow mover falls laore
than few inches in depth state this fact
from actual observation and the coroboratiyc
testimony Of persons who have resided in
that vicinity daring the winter season. The |
fJar miles Mt the eastern end of the line can |
not be subject to very deep snow on account |
OF tue altitude which in general governs the /
depth Of snow at any given place. That
part of the line is from 700 TO 900 feet lower
than the summit Of Bowman iIiils
The connecting roads by which the line
between Nevada City aud Virginia CITY is
made complete, are free from any serious
objections. The Nevada and Washington
turnpike, in ascending the Washington
ridge, has a grade from l2 to Is inches per
rod for about three miles. The remaining
portion to the White Cloud Gap. has very
light grades. The whole is in good condi
ion and in nearly direct line between Ne
ada and B1wman's. The uenncss Pass
Turnpike from Bowmans to Virginia City ,,
las also all the requirements Of Il superior
road. !
Such, then, being the distinguishing char
cteristies Of the proposed road and its con-
eetions, it appears to me- that the conclusion
; inevitable that when this road is con- |
tructed this route viii Dc fully equal 10 if not
lperior to any and all other routes across
he Sierra Nevada mountains. Ii certainly =
i'll have all the requisite conditions to ena-
e il to command n large share of The Ne
lda Territory trade. / belipvc the Placer
!. - route encounters lirr6wcr belt of deep F
low. But since il crosses tho mCuntains at
higher elevation than the Meauess Pass il
lows that much heavier grades must be
tr9duced than arc found on this route in
der 10 reach sher elevation in a shorter r.
stance Of aScent
ESTIMATED COST OF CONSTRUCTION.
A superficial examination Of the section
country over which tue line passes leaves L.
; impression that many and almost iusur-
unIablc obstacles are 10 be overcome in I-e
construction of this road. This impres -
n IS not confirmed by close and rigid Til
utiny. The only serious difficulties to be
with, are found on that portion Of the
2 between the mouth Of Canon Creek. Az AZ
a point short distance beyond the
ming Of the Devils Elbow, a distance or
ut miles. This portion " the line ruuS
a steep hillside, which is rocky. broken qu,
covered with dense growth Of uudcr he
80, with occasional deep, narrow, wa er ira
rscs. wh
close examination shows the rock 10 be ai
med and broken up SO that nearly one of G
Of the required cutting ran bo removed B
leut blasting. NeailY one b;,lt Of the how
mated cost OF construction. / have n lac ,ipo
'gaiust this portion OF the Inc only aluu; Of +
fifth Of the whole in length. In many hav
es for considerable distances an excellent this
can he made by buildi@- up wall on stan
lower side aud Cling up with loose rock if,'i ti
gravel, an abundance OF which can be int
ID close 81 hand. Between Wasliuctfn, thu
the mouth Of Canon Creek. sumc rocky mas
is arc crossed, composed Of slate. scanned ny
not very hard, llost OF which. can bo ,...
ored without blasting. On that portion rivr
&c line near BQwmap's some heavy work f1rd
be necessary, but, not for any consider aud
distance. FOOT
rock eating have made the estimate s'a9 70,
road-bed lC feet in width. T., n,
oarthw0rk ard walling for an excava- tion
10 feet wide at the bottom. with ner- he
icular face TO the bank. An equivalent y'ate
nnt Of earth removed leaving tie fsce of II y. Is
,ank with slope Of / TO ! will give q .-rod
h Of road led from 10 to . fset, ia all H.
! amply sufficient, Of q.
iek requiring blasting have estimated II
per cubic yard, and the whole, inclu- Tl %. q q
that which can be reIaoYel without mn,
ing, at 81 per Cubic yard. III
rthwork have estimate At forty cents man4
ard and inelndins, that which js pSed r.asQ
ling. the whole at an average OF twenty m IA
erts per yard. estin
r the sake Of convenience have divided aloae
ne into eight sections. yegr.
SECTION lst. ny
I'M the White Cloud Gap to Washington 50 80
anre miles. ~ >
instances, prevented accurate measure ~ - "a =
as basis for an estimate. From my own - ,,
vatinns as well as from Information de ~; ~; ~
from reliable persons who have ron. . !" nv :.
ell dtches near the liue of road Put .Si m y
st per rod at 10 90 sit
SECTION 2l. ~
Washington to the mouth of Canon
X. Distance miles, Is rods. Gtyin
K cuttiag-slJpe Is deg, % cub. more
Is Der lin. roi-Si 90 upr yard ro43