The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-08-26
The Extension Of the Canal to Covington-
Letter from Hon. A. II. q. Stuart.
STAuNroN, VA, July II, 1878.

My DEAR SIR-During the last session Of the
General Assembly we had several conversations
on the subject of constructing either a railway
or canal from Buchanan, the present western
terminus of the James River canal, to Clifton
Forge, so as to furnish an unbroken line of com
munication for the heavy frcights from Rich
mond to the Ohio river. We concurre.l in the
opinion that it was matter of vital interes; to
Virginia that this deficient link in the chain Of
communication between the East and West
should be supplied at an early day.
The only question on which any doubt was
then entertained was as to the relative merits and
| and costs OF the construction of railway, or
the completion of the canal between the two
points above referred to. The inclination of
my mind at that time was in favor of rail-
way, because thought it would cost less, and
could be more promptly constructed.
But recently had full CONVEX sation with
Maj. Edward Mcmahon, a gentleman OF high
character and great intelligence, which has
caused change in my opinion on that subject.
Maj. Mcmahon was one of the principal con-
tractors on the canal west of Buchanan, and ex-
ecuted large part of the work that has been
done. have learned from him that $5l1 ,O94
have been expended west of Buchanan, and
that an expenditure of about 81 ,20O, 900 will
complete the canal to Clifton Forge. The ex-
pendtures which have been made were at
number of points between Buchanan and Kay
ser's Rock. which is twenty-five miles west
of Buchanan. The work done on this part
OF the line, and which is now useless and
going to decay. consists Of
lat. Ten locks Of best masonry, each 100 feet
long and Is feet wide, constructed to pass boats
drawing fifteen feet OF water.
I'd. The masonry for the .iers and abutments
of three trunk aqueducts across James river
has been done.
Sd. One tunnel, 1872 feet long, &c feet wide,
and 30 feet high. has been finished.
4th. Seven hundred and eighty-two feet Of a
tunnel, which when finished will be 1900 feet
long, has been excavated and secured.
9TH. An outlet-lock constructed with view
of connecting the village of Jackson, eight
miles from Fincastle,) has been finished.
9th The foundation for the Cabcll dam has
been built and raised to ordinary low water
level; also the guard-lock at that point com
pleted.
9TH. The foundation of the dam at the Old
Forge. thirteen miles west of Buchanan, has
been laid and raised to low water mark, and the
guard-lock at that point completed.
8th Several stone bridges and culyerts, and
, several miles of tow-path constructed between
Cabell dam and Old Forge dam, and also be-
tween Old Forge dam and Lock No. 16, at the
junction of Craig's creek.
, Sth. large amount of excavating and cost
ly sustainng-walls have been finished at vari-
GUS points along the line.
Maj. McMahVn says that all this work was
done in most substantial manner, and is now
in fair condition. He estimates that it has
not been damaged to the extent Of two per
cent.
In answer to my inquiries, Maj. Mcmahon
stated that in his opinion two-thirds Of
the work remaining to be done to complete
the canal to Clifton Forge (say $1,000, 000
WORTH could be done by convict labor.
Maj. Mcmahon also informed me that the can.
al-surveys havingalready occupied the h s. line,
it would be difficult without considerable in
crease of dstance) to find an eligible route fol-
a railway without encroachment on the char
tered rights OF the canal company.
4 In view OF these important facts, OF which
] l had 10 accurate information until my con-
versation with Mai. Mcmahon, am now dis
posed to think that we ought to direct all our
energies to the completion Of the canal to Cliff
$ to Forge.
1t is hardly possible to over estimate the i'm.
portance OF this work to some of the best inter
ests of Virginia.
The State has already expended about ten
millions of dollars in constructing the canal
| from Richmond to Buchanan, a distance of two
hundred miles. She has also expended say
five millions of dollars in building the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railroad. The object which
she had in view when she commenced these
, 81 eat works was to secure a cheap freight line
, between Richmond and the great West. This
object has been in part accomplished. We have
u
fre;nhts fron, R,chanan tn P;ch,,n,d NV tho
.James River and Kanawh, canal and have "a q
railway with extraordinary canaci.ies Tor chean
TRANSFORMATION from the Ohio river to Clifton
Foree-the grade GOING eastward on the Cnes
apcak and Ohio railroad between the Ohio. riv-
or and Clifton Force. nowhere exceeding %,
feet to the mile. Rut unfortunately ~ thu
trains mass eastward from Clifton Forye they
t have to encounter grades of rs feet per mile.
+ The advantages Of the low grades from the
Ohio river to Clifton forge are thus rendered
Of comparatively little value bv the heavy
2 y.aGes r. he enconnte,nd east Of Clifton Foroc
t do not nrofess to he accurately nosteI ~,
t,,is noinf. but have hecn informed Tia;
LOCOMOTIVES that can draw train Of .:
ears over a Grade .f DOL foot 70 cnfton Forge
S can draw only u cars over the heavy
G grades east of that point, Thus the capacity
: OF an engine to transport freiehts east Of Gift
ton Forge is of abort one-half Of IFS canocitv tc
bring .llem to that point.
: 1t is proper to remark. however. that the
same inennalitv does not ov;st in reoord r.
westward bound freiohts because the gIade d
Z. the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad. for II miles
e ascending the ALLEGHENY mountains westward
is co feet Der mile. But as most OF the heavy
freieht-consistino Of coal iron GRAIN an3
; stoci-seeks it's market eastward. Il does moi
: encounter that sixty-foot grade.
1t is thus apparent that we have an aduira.
BILE railroad line for cheap TRANSFORMATION from
the Ohio river to Clifton orce, and anothel