The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-12-13
THE KEMPsvILLE CANAL.

country which would be brought in close
proximity to Norfolk by the completion Of
this work, is second ts none in this country,
in point of fertility. But the material wealth
which could at once be realized from the pri-
meval forests, now standing on thousands of
acres of this section, alone, should offer such
inducements to capitalists as to cause them to
come forward at once and subscribe the insig-
nifcant sum needed to complete this work.
We firmly believe that if the enterprising men
in this community will turn their attention,
for few hours, to the actual condition and
real merits of this canal, they will at once take
hold of it, not only as a means of conducting
to the material wealth of this section, but as
remunerative channel of investment. With
the view of giving our business men some
data upon which to start their investigations
on this subject, we commence, to-day, the
publication of the report of the able Engineer
engaged upon this work, made to the Presi-
dent and Directors of the company, in Dezr
cember. 1859. From this report, our rea lers
will be enabled to gather some facts as regards
to section of country to be developed by the
completion of this work.
We would state that the work on the canal
is now more than half finished, and that a
sum less than thirty thousand dollars would
complete it:
To the President and Directors of the Kemps-
UiUe Canal OO,apGnu
GENTLEMEN-Upon the receipt of COM
munication from the Secretary of the Board of
Public Works, advising me of my appoint
Inent as your Chief Engin to survey and
locate Canal which should connect the wa
tiers of Lynnhaven with those of the Eastern
Branch of the Elizabeth river, proceeded
without delay to organize party, preparatory
to field operations, Upon which engaged on
the 9th day of January last The line was
started at point upon the Eastern Branch,
| (which | conceived to be the most suitable,(
five hundred feet below Whitehurst's landing,
and upon the opposite side of the river. The
depth of water from the point of junction to
the city of Norfolk, is from seven to twenty
feet, and the distance about seven miles. The
marsh is followed up as directly as practical
BILE, (some few knobs being crossed in order to
obviate sharp curves, and at the same time to
supply material for banks and dams,) until
the village of Kempsvile is passed, and the
line enters the swamp, owned jointly by Ed
ward Foster, Esq, and DIR. John Ingram.
This swamp Is followed up to its head, when
the line encounters the "Ridge" which divides
the tributaries of Lynnhaven river and those
Of the Elizabeth after crossing which, it de-
sends into the swamp known as McAlpines,
and from thence through the marsh bordering
upon Lynnhaven river, with which it con-
meets, twelve hundred and eighty feet above
McIntosh's bridge
My base line was established at low water
mark, which, after several careful expert
ments, | think is ascertained beyond all rea-
sonabe doubt, and in as much as the level of
the marsh upon the Lynnhaven side is the
same as that upon the Elizabeth side and no
perceptible difference exists as to the time of
| high water in both rivers, your canal can at
| all times be supplied with water to the depth
| OF tour feet from the rivers, to say nothing of
the vast quantity with which it can be fur
nlshed from the "Ridge" and swamps contigu-
| GUS; and as the material from the canal exca-
| Vatlon through the low grounds is being placed
upon either side, so as to form water-tight
| bank, you may, with all safety, calculate upon
depth of from five ard half to six feet of
water, independent of evaporation, leakage
| and lock purposes.
| The stream between the point where the
| Canal enters the Eastern Branch and the vii
| lage of Kempsville is exceedingly serpentine
some idea of which may be formed from the
fact that the line, (which is very nearly
direct one, crosses it at nine different points.
1t narrows rapidly as it approaches he vii
age, and is navigabe for lighters only at
high stages of the tide : in fact, during the
season of meap tides, the depth of water at
Kempsville, and for some distance below.
does not exceed twelve or eighteen inches.
| Over one mile and half is saved by the Ca
nal line, in the passage of boat from the viii
lage to the point of junction, with the Eas-
tern Branch and aside from this considera-
ton, which of itself, is in my opinion, suffi-
Gent reason for confidently expecting material
cooperation on the part of those persons who
ship produce from that place, it must be OBJ
vious to every one who will investigate the
matter, that the stream is daily being filled by
deposltes from its numerous tributaries and
will very soon be thereby rendered not only
unit for navigation of any character, but an
actual nuisance to those residing in the i'm
mediate vicinity. With the exception of the
knobs already referred to, there is but slight
variation In the height Of ground between the
eoo'ie'n eei Hlihls anu tne roster and ingram
swamp; it then gradually increases in eleva-
ton until the crest Of the ridge is reached,
when It descends at about the same angle, to-
wards McAlpine's Swamp The height of this
Swamp is very nearly the same as that upon
the Elizabeth side; and after passing through
it, Ia distance of seven hundred feet@ and en-
tering upon the Lynhaven Marsh, found lit,
tie or no difference between its level and that
bordering Innn the Eastern Branch