The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-08-12
RitI,mond 1ispatrh,
wEpNESDAY.........AUGUST Il, 1868,
The Virginia Water-Line-Its New
phoco a,,6 Growing Nalue.

Some time since the James River anu
Kanawha Canal Company issued very IN
structive pamphlet, which deservesthe care
full consideration of every public man IN the
Union. 1t presents the increased imPor-
lance Of the Virginia water-line, and the
steadily growing demand for Its cons'f"0-
ton in a new and irresistible light. l's su-
periority on account of comparative sho,'
ness-its briefcr period of suspension y
frost than that of any northern "a'ei
its avoidance in summer Of the injurious u
fects on many important articles OF 1reight'
Of the southern or gulfline-its cheapness-
and it's central location, which. protects IL IN
time of war from perils which must threat
or both the southern and northern water
lines which in part pass outside our own
countrv-these arc advantages which can
not be disputed. We might add to them
the superior harbor that is at the eastern
extremity Of the Virginia line.
These advantages have never been de-
MED. But the Virginia line has met with
great opposition on the ground OF the al
legged difficulty of obtaining supply OF
water on the summit-leyel of the Allegheny
mountains. The reports of able engineers
plainly showing the necessary supply prac-
ticablc, did not put an end to the preaching
IN of this difficulty. In fact, it was tancied
obstacle constantly reproduced in part by
enemies Of the Virginia water-line, but II
affected the minds of friends of the work 10
some extent, and has indeed had serious
effect in diminishing confidence in it.
We are gratifed to see by this important
pamphlet that the skilful engineer of the
company, Colonel E. LORRAINE, has boldly
and wisely recommended PUN for aro'd-
ing TIE supposed d:diculty altoyethcr oy q
iony t,oo,cl, ,chich ensures q prpet"aI sup
piy Of rnter md q more rapid ra'$porta-
ton, ,cih a greater economy IN arear and
tear of Joats. This is done by NINE
NILE TUNNEL through the Allegheny noun
tain, constructed upon summlt-lcVcl OF
only 200 feet above the tide, and twenty
feet above the level of Greenbrier river at
the mouth of Towards creek, six miles be-
yond the White Sulphur Springs. This
longer tunnel than that Of two and half
miles on the old plan of a higher summit
level HSpcnScS riM trO manfred and tren-
tv fectof tockagc on each side Of The S',nt-
mil, ard ,rih .Jorty.fov locIcs; sares four
miles II, distance u1td SeUen U,d hay
hoarS in t;nc, and by feeding directly from
Grccnbrier river is enabled to pass the
summit Icrct mithoW reservoirs!
The difference in the cost Of this longer
tunnel from that of the higher summit,
with its two and half miles of tunnel, its
for,y-iOur locks, and its reservoirs, is esti-
mated Mt 1881, 73I. The entire cost OF
the nine-mile tunnel is estimated at Sl3,
100000. Colonel LORRAINE shows that by
the saving in distance and time the excess
Of cost Of this lower level, with its nine
mile tunnel, will be more than reimbursed
to the company, while to commerce the ad
vantage will be invaluable.
for the construction of such work. The
probability is, Judging from the tunnel Of
nearly a mile on the Covington and Ohio
railroad in the same mountain, that the
whole tunnel will DC cut through dark,
hard slate that will need no arching, but is
yet peculiarly favorable to the work Of tun-
ncIling. The distinguished engineer, Mr..
i. II. LATRoBE of Baltimore, is well &c
quaintcd with the strata Of the Allegheny
at the point of this tunnel, and thinks, with
ten shafts and modern machinery, it might
be driven through easily in little ouer tuo
mcarS. These shafts may be readily sunk,
since such is the low depression of the ALLIE
ghany mountain at the point Of crossing
that the average depth Of eight or ten shafts
would not exceed 425 feet
Here we have most remarkable facts.
We learn that by tunnel Of nine miles the
great mountain line which divides the At
lantic from the Mississippi Valley may be
passed by canal supplied by the waters OF
the James and the Grecnbrier without the
aid of reservoirs, and we learn that from the
nature of the strata of the mountain the
tunnel may be driven through in less than
three gears.
When We consider the immense advan-
tagcs Of this tunnel, there can hardly be a
moments hesitation in the mind of any
man as to the propriety Of adopting it in,
stead of the higher elevation Of crossing
with its torty.tow locks and its reservoirs
for the supply of the summit
This new plan throws new light upon the
grand enterprise of the Virginia water-line,
so important to the great Valley of the
Mississippi, the store-house of the wealth
of the nation so invaluable to the nation
itself as q protection in time of war, as q
main artery from the heart of the nation,
giving increased life, pulsation, consistency,
and force to the body: the very soul of the
Republic upon whose vigor and health rests
the question of its endurance and power I.
MIR. LATROBE, whom we have quoted
above, writes most decisive letter to Colo
mel LORRAINE, approving heartily and en-
tircly his scheme. No man in the Union
has equal experience. He is now the con-
sult'ng engineer of the Hoosic Tunnel of
Massachusetts, which is five miles long, and
Is cut through much greater difficulties than
can possibly be met with in the Allegheny
mountain.
We have lust seen a letter from Gnnaral